Review of the day

After yesterdays success, it was back down to earth with a bump this afternoon – though I do feel we were a bit unfortunate with how things panned out…

The bottom line is, you always need a bit of luck in this game – and today, we didn’t get any…

The first 2 tips to run, were in the Flogas novice chase – and whilst there can be no excuses for Sutton Place (who’s jumping simply wasn’t good enough), Dounikos was definitely unlucky not to at least place…

He was under pressure approaching the last – but staying on well.

A good jump there, meant he had every chance – however, as with Kayf Blanco yesterday, the horses around him on the run in, tightened him up, leaving him with nowhere to go.

He jockey had to take him back a fraction and the way he stayed on again late, left me in little doubt that he would have gone very close.

Definitely one that got away…

The misfortune that befell Vieux Morvan, was of a different nature…

He travelled through the race like a horse with 10lb in hand of his rating.

It therefore wasn’t too surprising, that nothing was capable of giving him a lead to beyond the second last.

A big jump there and he was quickly 3 lengths clear, of his mainly toiling rivals…

However, his misfortune was to bump into a rival with about 15lb in hand of his rating ! – and Last Goodbye bore down on him approaching the last and then sprinted away from him up the run in.

Valseur Lido was the final tip on the day – but his defeat can’t be put down to luck.

In fact, with his rivals falling all over the place, he was flattered to finish fifth.

The irritating thing with him, is that I’m sure he would have won – if he’d run his race.

However, he didn’t and it was left to 50/1 outsider, Edwulf, to collar Outlander in the shadows of the post…

As for the Mentions: then both Canelie and Taglietelle were pulled up at Leopardstown.

However, Act of Valour (who should have been the Mention !) and Red River, did much better at Musselburgh.

The former made We Have a Dream pull out all of the stops; whilst the latter got the better of Mr Whipped, having been well backed to do so (how unusual is that ?!?).

Finally, Farclas comfortably turned round the form with the disappointing Espoir D’Allen at Leopardstown  - but found Mr Adjudicator a length too good.

I think there is a chance that he will be able to reverse the form with the winner in the Triumph, as Farclas seemed to be ridden to beat Espoir D’Allen.

That said, I would hope that Apples Shakira will prove too good for them both – and also for We Have a Dream…

TVB.