Review of the day

I always felt that today was going to be a tough day – and so it proved…

As I half expected, the Willie Mullins battalions dominated, and that was always likely to make coming out on top, something of a challenge…

It started in the very first race, which was taken very comfortably by favourite, Douvan.

As I feared, Alvisio Ville never featured – he probably needs softer ground, and maybe fences…

Next it was Un De Sceaux, who put in a controlled performance to land the Arkle.

I briefly thought that God’s Own was going to give him a real race - but his preference for going right handed, showed when he was put under pressure over the final two fences.

Sail by the Sea showed up early, but was ultimately outclassed; whilst Court Minstrel ran OK to a point - but wasn’t slick enough at his fences, to feature…

The next race on the card was won in equally comfortable style by The Druids Nephew.

He was TVB tip in the Hennessey – but not today !

Instead we relied on Barrakilla and Mendip Express.

The former ran well enough until his stamina gave out - whilst the latter never featured.

Faugheen provided Mullins and Walsh with a treble in the champion hurdle - but I felt it was an unsatisfactory race.

If you let Ruby dictate fractions in a race like that, there is only ever likely to be one outcome.
In the circumstances, Arctic Fire ran a huge race to finish second – and is the one to take out of the race.

Annie Power was in the process of providing Mullins and Walsh with an unbelievable 4 timer, when she came down at the last in the mares hurdle.

That appeared to present Polly Peachum with the chance of a victory – but she just couldn’t reel back Glens Melody.

I didn’t know whether to feel pleased or disappointed.
I would have taken second place rounding the home turn, where Polly Peachum got squeezed for room and looked to be going nowhere.

But fifty yards from the line, I felt she was sure to collect.

Oh the ups and downs of this game !!

There was little of interest (from a TVB perspective) in the NH chase.

Neither Vivaldi Collonges or Thunder and Roses ever really featured, with the race being won by the JP McManus owned Cause of Causes – who had been subject to quite a punt, late last week.

So it all came down to Thomas Crapper in the last – and although he ran his heart out, he just wasn’t quite good enough.

For the second year in a row, he finished runner up in a Cheltenham handicap, as Irish Cavalier powered past him, up the hill for victory.
That one was on my short-list - but I felt he might find today’s trip on the short side.

So all in all, a slightly disappointing day.

A couple of close seconds – but only a small return on investments.

On the plus side, I did always think that today would be tough (though unfortunately, tomorrow looks similar !) – and those of you who stuck with the ex tips system should  have made a  slight profit via The Druids Nephew.

Day 1 to the bookmakers then – but let’s not forget, it’s a marathon, not a sprint !!

TVB.