Review of the day

There was no joy this afternoon at Navan, where Rubi Light ran a fair race – but not well enough to trouble the judge.

I was actually a little bit disappointed in him...

I didn’t think he jumped as well as he can – certainly mistakes at the first two fences put him on the back foot.

That said, he was in the van throughout – and had every chance if good enough – simply he wasn’t good enough…

He’s a horse I’ll have to be a bit careful with, as I am more than capable of following ones like him off a cliff, as they fall down the ratings !

I thought the winner, Mount Colah, put up a really impressive performance - and what was a bit irritating is that without Rubi Light in the race, I could easily have tipped him…

Earlier on the Navan card, the finish to the big handicap hurdle was fought out by 2 of the 3 that I short-listed.
However, it was Lite Duty who got the better of the official mention, Dara Tango.

I actually backed them both (at 7/1 and 6/1 respectively) – plus Harvey Logan (at 7/1).

That worked out at around 6/4 on what I considered an even money shot.

Ofcourse, tipping them all was never practical – but it does show how you can move the odds in your favour if you have a limited shopping list and shop around for best prices…

Over at Carlisle, Big Water was the only winning mention of the day.

As I said this morning, I considered him as both a tip and a Top Pick – but his price fell apart.

There was certainly no margin in his SP of 11/8 – in fact I’m not sure I would have wanted to take that price jumping the final fence !

In the handicap hurdle, One for Harry led for a good part of the race – but was brushed aside up the home straight.
He ultimately finished well behind Pheonix Returns, a horse who he had comfortably beaten, when they last met.

Further more, Phoenix Returns seemed not to get home that day, over a shorter trip – but it was One for Harry who looked short on stamina today.

Finally at Southwell, for the second year in succession, Trojan Sun was backed down to favourite for the opener – and crashed out at the very first fence !
That must be some kind of record !!
Tafika looked like he might take advantage of the situation – but ultimately he was well and truly put in his place by King Rolfe – a horse who had fallen at the first and refused to race, in his two previous outings this season !

And as if to further support my point about not backing low grade horses, Debt to Society ran an absolute shocker in the handicap chase. He was backed into 7/4 favourite - but was trailing the field after a few fences and pulled up with a circuit to go.

One well dodged, I think..!

TVB.