Review of the day

So, it was left to the Northern Lad to sort out the mess that the Southern Softies had created – and despite my reservations over his jumping, Rockawango proved up to the job…

In truth, he could be called the winner from a long way out at Kelso, racing with zest and jumping with aplomb.

He’ll probably get 6 or 7lb for this win, however – and I wouldn’t be quite as keen on him next time out.

Today was the day to be on him – and thankfully we were…

Things didn’t go so well down south – at either Sandown or Wincanton…

In fairness, I had all but swerved the Wincanton card due to uncertainty over the going.

Even now I’m not sure what it was – soft would be my guess…

The only race I tipped in there, was the big one of the day: the Badge Ale chase.

One of our 3 runners, According to Trev, took a crashing fall at the very first fence – which wasn’t what I had in mind.

Furthermore, Bennys Mist was never travelling or jumping that well – so it was left to Alfie Spinner to try and salvage something for us from the race.
And to be fair he ran very well – with his third placing probably the least he deserved.

However, he was simply outclassed by the winner The Young Master – who romped home with any amount in hand…

He looked like a horse really going places – though whether he will be able to cope with the inevitable large rating rise, is a point of conjecture.

Regardless, what is truly amazing, is that he hadn’t won a race of any description, just 12 months ago – and now he has won 8 !
Furthermore, 12 months prior to that, he was pulled up in a 5 horse seller, when a 20/1 shot.

That should give hope to us all…!

Elsewhere on the Wincanton card, I was mightily impressed by Polly Peachum, as she toyed with her rivals under top weight.

A bit like The Young Master, her progress through the ranks is showing little signs of relenting.

She looks sure to play a hand in the mares race at the festival in March.

The Elite hurdle had a surprise winner in the shape of Purple Bay…

Bertimont, Forgotten Voice and Fergall all ran with credit – but probably found the ground too quick – or slow (depending on which one you were on !)

The biggest disappointments of the day were saved for Sandown.

Bally Legend ran like a horse that does need 3 miles nowadays…

The field were always going a stride too quickly for him – which forced him into jumping errors.

He’ll be dropped a few pounds for the run – and I wouldn’t completely give up on him just yet.

Rhamnus was a massive drifter in the handicap hurdle at 3:05.

Anyone backing tips at BSP, with a price comparison filter, really shouldn’t have been on him.

True, his SP was 20/1 – the same as the advised price. But he was close to 40 on the off on BF…

In fairness, he didn’t run deplorably – but equally he did look as if he will need quite a big drop in his handicap mark before he gets competitive…

Finally, Loch Ba saved the biggest disappointment of the day until last.

A bit like Broughton yesterday, he was notably strong in the betting – and a bit like Broughton yesterday, he ran an absolute shocker..

Sent off at 5/2 , he was trading at 6/4 on BF after 3 fences !
However, he soon started to work his way back through the field – and his number was up after the first circuit.
He briefly staged a rally after the railway fences – but he was never going to get to the leaders.

It struck me as the performance of a horse who’d had enough of the game.

Maybe Mick Channon will be able to get him back – because he is likely to be very well handicapped, if he can – or maybe a spell in the point field would do him good.

I guess time will tell – but I think it unlikely we will be on him next time…

So a bit of a nothing day, so far as the P&L is concerned.
Obviously that’s not great – but there are days when you just look to come out unscathed.
I think today was probably one of those – so I’m happy enough to move on from it with no damage done…

TVB.