Review of the day

No winners, made for a disappointing day – and completed a disappointing weekend…

In fairness, 3 of todays 4 tips ran quite well – but unfortunately that’s not much good when you are tipping win only…

The first tip to race was Specific Gravity at Cork – and whilst his second placing flatters him a little, he still ran a fair race.

He would only have finished third if the ill fated Snapchat hadn’t fallen at the last – but when that happened, I actually thought he might win.

However, I suspect his jockey had eased off a little early and he couldn’t roust him to go past long time leader, Is Herself About…

Next up it was Little Jon, who also put in a decent effort, at Cheltenham.

Whether Jamies Moore’s decision to take the inside route when others seemed to prefer the outside, cost him, I don’t know.

I suspect it didn’t help though – in the same way that a poor jump at the last didn’t.
That said, in all probability he was beaten by a couple of horses who are currently just a bit better than him.

I’m not entirely sure that was the case for the third tip of the day – Clondaw Warrior (at least at the weights).

I’m far from convinced he appreciated the under foot conditions – and yet he still ran a stormer to finish third in the Greatwood hurdle.

On a decent surface, I think he would have beaten Garde Le Victoire – though it is impossible to take anything away from Vaniteux, who ran a mighty race to finish second under top weight.

The final tip of the day to run, Crowded Room, was by some margin the most disappointing of the day.

He was probably my strongest fancy of the day – and he was backed as if defeat was out of the question (sent off 2/1 from 5/1 early).

He travelled nicely to 3 out – but when the pace quickened, he found absolutely nothing…

It’s difficult to know what to make of the performance.

His last run had a high visibility - if connections didn’t get on at a price today, maybe they decided to wait for another day.
Whatever, his run just seemed too bad to be completely true…

There was no joy either for the days Top Pick, Dodging Bullets.

The combination of soft ground and an inspired Barry Gerraghty ride on Uxizandre, was just to much for him to deal with.

He lost little in defeat – but that wasn’t much consolation…

There was some success for the mentions however, with both Shanahans Turn and Hurricane Fly, winning at Punchestown.

The former was quite impressive - though he was obviously helped by Very Woods failure to perform: Whilst there is little more that can be said about Hurricane Fly.
There is clearly plenty of life left in the old boy. He may not be up to winning another Champion hurdle, but I for one wouldn’t bet against him picking up another Grade 1 – or two – in Ireland…

Boyfromnowhere was very disappointing in the Southern National at Fontwell. He was beaten with a circuit to go and for whatever reason just didn’t give his running.

The race was won by the Venetia Williams trained Gorgehous Lliege: heavy ground, marathon trip, what did we expect ?!

Her Spirit D’Armor finished well beaten in the following novice handicap chase - but I would be inclined to put that down to a couple of poor jumps.

He was running on again at the end of the race – and over a little it further, with a few more pounds off his mark, I think he’s a winner in waiting..

At Cork, Inis Meain was very disappointing. He was already beaten when he fell on the flat, approaching the home turn: but at Cheltenham, The Govaness ran a really nice race in the novice hurdle – just seeming not to quite get home. She could be worth following on better ground.

It’s been a tough weekend (as they often are !) – with the internet issues I experienced on Friday, raising stress levels a notch or two ! (on that subject, I got a phone call from BT at 3:00 this afternoon, asking if the problem had been fixed: a mere 50 hours after it occurred – now that’s service for you !!).

I’ll look to take a couple of days off early this week – possibly including tomorrow.

I’ll check out the runners this evening and advise either way at the normal time in the morning…

TVB.