Review of the day

The days 4 tips managed to yield a couple of seconds – but that’s not much good when you play win only (as I normally do).

There’s perhaps an argument that I should have put up Purple Bay EW – and I did consider it – but I felt it was worth taking on Faugheen.

With hindsight that wasn’t the wisest thing to do, as he looked like a machine in the Christmas hurdle.
Purple Bay ran well to finish second - but never managed to get within striking distance of the imperious winner.

It will take a very good one to lower his colours in the Champion.

The other second we got, was Upepito at Wincanton.
He travelled really well through the race – and did briefly look like he might win.

But ultimately he was put in his place by Minella Definitely.

It would be unfair to crab his performance too much – but I do feel he was one that got away.

The other two tips didn’t perform anywhere near as well…

Katgary was kept very wide by Sam Twiston Davies - presumably because of concerns regarding his jumping.

In fairness, I thought he jumped very well – but he would have needed to be different class to his rivals, in order to win.

Well, he certainly wasn’t that – and it was soon clear that he was fighting a losing battle, when the pace quickened down the back straight.

He finished well beaten – but I’m sure he is better than today’s run.
There must be a fair chance that he will get compensation before the season is over.

The final tip of the day was Way up in the Air – and I was totally baffled by the ride she was given.

As I mentioned this morning, she is head strong sort – who has always previously been ridden with restraint.
Well, not today !

Today she was allowed to stride on  - but it didn’t do her any good at all.
Her normally sharp jumping was ponderous – and a sloppy jump at the fifth last sealed her fate.

She is another who is far better than todays performance suggested….

With regard to the mentions, then Creepy and Master Neo were both hugely disappointing.
And whilst it was a similar story for Vintage Star, Cape Tribulation ran much better in the same race and was a little unlucky to only finish second.

Finally, Cue Card again under–performed in the King George – and he now has a significant question mark hanging over him.

The race was won, for the second season in succession, by Silviniaco Conti.

You will rarely see a more straightforward winner of a big race. Noel Fehily set out to make all - and did so !

Hopefully a few of you were on him at the 9/1 advised on the ante-post blog – a  belated Christmas present if you were…

Just a reminder, that as it’s a Friday evening, I will open the tipping window at 6:00 this evening, in case there is anything that can be tipped for tomorrow (and I suspect there will be at least one tip).

TVB.