Review of the day

There was no joy with any of todays tips – and in truth, I was quite disappointed with how some of them performed…

Though not the worst, Neverushacon would probably fall into that category – because I did quite fancy him.

Expectations are always raised a little when a horse is well backed – and he was relatively strong in the market (around 8/1 at the off, on BF)

He took up a nice racing position, just behind the leader – and his hurdling was fine.

However, when the race began in earnest, he had nothing to offer and finished well beaten…

Having been backed early, Uncle Danny was quite weak in the late market, at Limerick.
It always presents me with a dilemma, when a horse I fancy is backed before I can tip it.

I try to objectively assess the price at the point I can send out the tip, but it’s difficult not to be influenced a little by market moves.

I decided he still represented value at 12/1 – but he was bigger than that on BF at the off.

And he was much bigger still, after a couple of fences, as he was making mistakes and at the back of the field.

His race was effectively over at that point.

By contrast, Fine Theatre was strong in the late market – eventually being sent off at 9/2 joint favourite.

And he ran pretty well – chasing the clear leader until running out of steam up the home straight.

He ultimately finished fourth, so was certainly not disgraced.

The final tips on the day, ran in the Paddy Power chase.

Whilst I knew there was a doubt over the ground, when Bonny Kate was allowed to take her chance, I was pretty sure she would run well.

However, that was assuming she was allowed to run in her usual manner – up with the pace.

But, for some unfathomable reason, that didn’t happen.

Instead she was dropped out last – and it was obvious after a couple of fences, that wasn’t going to work.

She was pulled up not long after half way – and to be honest, she may as well not have bothered turning up…

I can’t be sure exactly what happened with Dromnea – other than he fell at around half way.

Whilst General Principle still had a chance of placing (though not winning) when he made a bad mistake at the final fence.

All in all, it was a most disappointing race…

As for the days Mentions:

Cyrname got an uncontested lead at Kempton – and made Tommy Silver and Shantou Rock pay for it (The Unit was a non runner); whilst Pilgrims Bay ran precisely the race I expected – appearing between the final 2 fences, but looking disinclined to go past the other eye catcher in the race, Tintern Theatre.

Over at Wetherby, Cyrus Darius was backed into short priced favouritism – but more than met his match, in the shape of Just Cameron.

3 of the 4 meetings scheduled for tomorrow, will need to pass early morning inspections (because of the threat of frost).

My only interest is in the meeting at Leopardstown – and if that is abandoned, I won’t produce a write-up (or tip).

I’ll advise on the situation, as early in the morning, as possible…

TVB.