After Ut Majeur Aulmes yesterday, I didn’t feel we
deserved another close second today – but that’s exactly what we got, courtesy
of Sunnytahliateigan in the opener at Sandown.
In
truth, I can’t have any complaints, he was beaten by a better horse on the day –
though why I didn’t spot the better horse is a different matter !
When
I was previewing the Cheltenham October meeting on the mid-week blog, I picked
out Golan Fortune as a horse of interest in one of the handicaps.
He disappointed in that race – but my comment on the blog afterwards was:
He disappointed in that race – but my comment on the blog afterwards was:
‘It was all a bit too much for Golan Fortune – but there will be
other days for him…’
How prophetic!
It’s just a shame that the prophecy chose
today, to come true !!
I guess these things are sent to test
us (they certainly test me !).
Crystal Lad was the only other tip on the
day – and I was a bit disappointed by him.
I thought that everything was in
place for him to run a really big race – but he didn’t…
His jumping wasn’t slick enough – and
slick jumping is of paramount importance at Sandown.
I suspect time will show that it was
a decent race, so in the circumstances, it was no surprise that he ultimately
finished well beaten.
I wouldn’t write-him off just yet –
though he now has got a little to prove…
Elsewhere on the card, Might Bite
ended up an impressive winner of the intermediate
chase.
Despite only being rated a few pounds
higher than his rivals, he really did look different
class.
It will be fascinating to see if he
can take the step up to championship level (I’m sure that he has the natural
ability - it’s just whether he also has the required
temperament).
Finally, Houblon des Obeaux won an
eventful veterans chase.
Double Ross was an early faller –
which made thing easier for him – particularly as his main challenger proved to
be Third Intention – and that one has suspect stamina.
At Ffos Las, Prime Venture was a
comfortable winner of the handicap hurdle, with Firebird Flyer a running on
third.
The latter will definitely be of
interest next time – probably back over fences.
Finally, at Navan, Apples Jade showed
her class on her seasonal debut, to get the better of Jers
Girl.
As with Might Bite, it will be
fascinating to see how far she can go this season…
TVB.
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