Review of the day

There was no joy with todays tips – which considering the amount of time that went into finding them – never mind writing about them – was a bit disappointing !

Obviously it can happen – and if Irish Roe had managed to get past Marias Benefit at Doncaster, the day would have had a very different feel…

She traded at 1.24 in running approaching the final hurdle - and it really did look a question of her choosing her moment to pass.

But in fairness, to Marias Benefit, she kept on finding and ultimately was a very game winner…

Unfortunately that was as good as it got with tips – and in truth, most of the others ran disappointingly…

Solstice Star was the first one up.
Admittedly he was a speculative odds based selection – but he never featured.

The race was won by Mister Whitaker – and Solstice Star had run him close at Carlisle.

I hoped that the softer ground and weight pull would enable Solstice Star to reverse the form – but it wasn’t to be…

Next it was Arctic Gold.

The issue with him, was his jumping !

He was clearly fancied –and conditions should have suited perfectly -  but his jumping wasn’t good enough.

He made numerous mistakes on the way round – in contrast to the winner, Frodon, who never touched a twig.

In hot handicaps, if you don’t jump, you don’t win – and he did well to stay in contention for as long as he did.

Next it was Mulcahys Hill – and the market support for him gave me real hope.

He was backed into 11/4 favourite at the off – but was brushed aside by Nicky Hendersons Santini.

The final tip at Cheltenham, was Colin’s Sister.

She actually ran quite well – though was no match for either Agrapart or Wholestone.

At least I feel I can now let her go !

The biggest tip on the day was the last one to run – and I had high hopes, that Upsilon Blue would put in a very performance.

However, it just didn’t happen.

He was settled in behind the leaders but made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes.

I’ve no idea why that was: I’d suggest that maybe the ground was a bit too quick – but my eyes told me differently !

Whatever, he was well beaten, which was most disappointing…

As for the Mentions – then Wakanda was the one that got away.

I toyed with tipping him – but L’Ami Serge was messing with my thinking !

Maybe I should have tipped him and saved on the favourite - but I didn’t.

Needless to say, he made me pay by battling to victory after the last…

Earlier on the Doncaster card, Miles to Milan ran a fair race in the opener – but looked as if he needed it (which was what the betting suggested).

It was a similar story with Samuel Jackson – he ran well, but not well enough.

Adiran du Pont was a bit disappointing behind Sceau Royal – though the race wasn’t really run to suit him.

Over at Cheltenham, Tea for Two didn’t feature in the Cotswold chase.
Deinftly Red managed to turn a 23 length defeat by Bristol de Mai in to a 10 length victory – and on 2lb worse terms !

Which made the form book look of limited value !

Whilst despite being backed into 2/1 favourite, Le Patriote could only finish fourth in the closing race.

In fairness, he (and the rest of the field), gave the winner and third placed horse a 10 length start – so maybe his run can be marked up.

Finally, Apples Shakira managed to win the opener and keep the Triumph hurdle dream alive - despite having a harder race than expected…

I was actually more impressed by her than I have been in the past.

Her jumping was slick – and her response under pressure, was good.

Time may show the runner up to be a decent horse – and ultimately she beat him well.

She remains 7/2 favourite for the Triumph – and still looks the one to beat in March.

TVB.