Review of the day

I really don’t feel that we’ve had much luck over the past couple of weekends…

It all started last Saturday, when Ut Majeur Aulmes was nailed in the shadows of the post, at Aintree.

The following day, it was Sunnytahliateagan, who went close to collecting; whilst yesterday, Le Prezien was arguably unlucky not to come home in front…

I don’t think there can be much arguing that Cyclop could have won today – but too often in the race, he found himself in the wrong place – and in a game of fine margins, that is often enough.

I actually found his defeat the hardest of the 4 to take: probably because I fancied him the most !

A victory for him would certainly have had the biggest impact on the P&L – but it was not to be…

In the same race, the jumping of Fergal Mael Duin was too sloppy – and he had nothing left to give over the final few fences…

With the withdrawal of Flying Tiger, we were just left with the saver, Neitzsche to cheer on in the Greatwood.

He got a good ride from James Bowen – and had every chance.

However, he was a touch too free and didn’t get home in the testing ground…

It doesn’t seem right, that at Cheltenham of all places, track position in the hurdles races, on soft ground has become absolutely key.

Bowen got Neitzsche in to the right position – but so too did Wayne Hutchinson, on Elgin – and ultimately that won him the race…

As an aside, it was really sad to see London Prize take what proved to be, a fatal fall at the second last.

Such an honest horse, he really didn’t deserve that…

In the opener on the card, Melrose Boy drifted back out to 11/4  - but bolted up.

I felt he had been put in too short – but the pre-race interview with Harry Fry left little doubt that connections fancied him, and he duly obliged.

Lip Service plodded on into fourth place and should be able to pick up a modest race at some point this season…

North Hill Harvey was a good winner of the novice chase – though the race did fall apart a little…

Ozzie the Oscar was too free; whist River Wylde didn’t act on the ground.

That said, North Hill Harvey could do no more than win as he did – and his sound jumping should see him competitive in better races…

I was really taken by the performance of Fox Norton in the Shloer chase.

He seems to have improved again, from last year – and is going to take a bit of beating, wherever he is aimed…

He’s still only 7 as well – so he really does look to have a very bright future.

Dame de Compagnie was massively disappointing in the novice hurdle.

I guess it’s impossible to know whether she had an off day – or just isn’t as good as she looked at Uttoxeter…

Slate House on the other hand, was quite an impressive winner.
It would be an exaggeration to say that he’s justified his £260K purchase price just yet – but he’s on his way to doing so…

In the bumper, neither of the outsiders of interest, every got seriously involved.

I’m sure Rio Quinto will improve for the experience – but he’ll need to !

Finally, over at Punchestown: Tombstone and Presenting Percy both disappointed – but Faugheen did not !

He looked just as good as ever, when winning the Morgiana – and I could understandbookmakers promoting him to 2/1 fav for the race.

However, anyone remotely tempted to take that price, about a 9 year old who has just returned from nearly 2 years on the side lines – needs to resist...

I would want 2/1 about him turning up in March – never mind re-capturing the hurdling crown, as a 10 year old !

TVB.