Review of the day

Where do you start on a day like today ?!?!

The first weekend of the season was unbelievable – and whilst things have been relatively quiet since then, today almost matched it !

And in truth, with a little bit of luck – and some better decisions on my behalf – it could have surpassed it.

Though it would be churlish to complain…

I said this morning that the new Dublin Racing Festival was a great initiative – and one race into the meeting, I’m sure you all agreed !

That was because Tower Bridge won the opener, under a patient ride from J J Slevin.

I suggested this morning that the race was there for the taking: with the 2 favourites looking vulnerable – and there very little between the rest – and that’s exactly how it worked out.

Fabulous Saga tried to break the field from the front, but he was a spent force turning in – and it was those who had been ridden patiently, who profited most.

Non had been ridden more patiently that Tower Bridge – and following a good jump at the last, he wore down Jetez on the run in, for a memorable win.

He was 40/1 in a few places this morning – but retuned at 25/1.
That said, his BSP was 55 – and I backed him on BF at 65, a few moments before the off.

As with Outlander earlier in the season, the BF route is always worth considering with outsiders in Irish races…

Just 20 minutes later, we really should have celebrating again…

Kayf Blaco was backed in to favouritism at Wetherby – and should have won.

His jumping was again laborious – and I guess that ultimately cost him.

However, being squeezed for room on the run in, certainly didn’t help.

He will dot up in a similar race, very soon…

No Comment was the next tip to run – and whilst he didn’t go quite so close, he still ran with enormous credit.

Making his chasing debut, he travelled powerfully down the back straight, touching 3.3 in running.

However, he lacked the sharpness to go with Terrefort and Cyrname when they quickened the pace and he could only plod on for a distance third placing.

As with Keyf Blanco, he will be winning sooner rather than later…

I would say exactly the same for Ink Master – though I also said that before the race !

As I feared might be the case, the ground went against him – and he probably raced a shade too fast, in order to maintain a lead.

He still looked like taking a bit of beating when he turned in – but he had nothing left when challenged at the third last.

His mark will drop again – and on good ground he will win – mark my words !!

With all the drama that already had preceded it, is was hard to imagine that the Edinburgh National handicap chase was going to top everything – but that’s exactly what happened !

I tipped 2 in the race: Full Jack and Looking Well.

The former cantered through the race – and when he took up the running turning in, it looked simply a matter of how far.

However, he probably went for home a bit too soon – and jumping the second last it was apparent, that he was going to have his work cut out, to fend off Looking Well.

In fact, if he had jumped the fence, there can be little doubt that Looking Well would have won – but instead, he jinked on the approach to the fence and decanted his jockey !

In other circumstances, I would have been besides myself in disbelief – but bizarrely the incident worked in our favour.

It’s always nice to know that these horse realise they are part of a big TVB team 

The final two tips on a truly memorable day, ran in the Coral Hurdle.

Both ran with credit – particularly, Midnight Stroll, who had every chance turning in.

However, neither could muster any more down the home straight and ultimately finished well beaten…

As for the Mentions – then they didn’t do too badly, either…

That’s a Wrap was a faller at Leopardstown: whilst Melon was a disappointment (though the race was won by Supersundae, who I felt had a definite chance of causing a shock).

Crackdeloust never featured at Musselburgh – but Shades of Midnight looked as if he was going to win at Wetherby, before tiring close home.

He was a general 33/1 shot this morning – but was sent off at just 9/1 and touched 1.5 in running.

At Sandown, Somchine, never featured – the competition was too hot for him.

Beat That ran a fair race – but was no match for Topofthegame.
It amused me that my short list of 6 actually contained 3 of the first 4 home – despite my lack of confidence !
Whilst, Ballydine won the handicap chase – as I thought he might.
He was the ‘nearly’ tip today – and it’s staggering how often they come home in front !

Finally, Min and Footpad were impressive winners of the 2 mile chases at Leopardstown – and both are likely to take a bit of beating at Cheltenham (particularly Footpad, who really does look the real deal).

Let’s hope tomorrow is as good, hey 

TVB.