Review of the day

I’ve often said that you need a bit of luck, in this game – and I think we got some today…

Casse Tete wasn’t the best horse in the race at Warwick – but he managed to win – so fortune clearly smiled on him in some way !

He was the beneficiary of a pace duel between Kylemore Lough and Templehills – with the 2 effectively running each other in to the ground.

Ofcourse you can say that it was just good jockeyship on the part of Josh Moore (or poor jockeyship on the part of the other 2 !) – and there was probably an element of that.

I just find it easier to lump all of those things under ‘luck’ – and I think we had a bit with him !

In fairness, we’ve been on the other side of the coin many times in the past – including at Warwick, where I can recall us being on the wrong side of almost exactly the same thing (with Grand Vision).

It’s the nature of the beast - and so long as it all evens out, you can accept it as such…

The only other tips on the day, ran in the Betfair hurdle – and I think they ran quite well – though it was difficult to say for sure !

Visibility was very poor - but the record book says that they finished seventh and eighth.

I’m pretty sure I saw Zalvados appearing to have a good chance of placing at one point – but it didn’t happen…

The race was won by Kalashnakov - and without the rain, we would have been on him.

However, it was difficult to judge how the rain was going to affect the ground – and he’d struggled last time in heavy conditions.

He didn’t struggle today, however and was a very impressive winner…

As for the Mentions, then it was a case of a good few bullets dodged !

Barters Hill ran OK on his return to action – though was ultimately well beaten.

Based on todays performance you would have to question whether he will come back to his best.

Cloudy Dream never got with in striking distance of Native River.

The latter made all under a well judged ride from Dickie and put himself firmly in the Gold cup picture.

I felt particularly smug about dodging Duke des Champs – who was backed down to a woefully short 15/8 at the off.

He had a chance – but he was never a 15/8 shot.

Maybe I should have taken a chance on Indy Five instead – as be probably wasn’t a 7/1 shot !

Over at Warwick, Midnight Tour was another one that I did well to dodge – though again, it could be argued that maybe should have taken a chance on Woolstone One.

Whilst Triopas ran moderately – and now loses his place on the eye catcher list.

That said, I’m sure I spotted him running on late, like a horse who is crying out for a step up to 4 miles – or even further !!

Finally, there were impressive wins for Altior and Saint Calvados in the main 2 mile chases at the respective courses.

Both horses running excellent trials for their Cheltenham festival targets.

TVB.