Review of the day

Better late than never..!

I know I shouldn’t have felt disappointed with the way things panned out on Sunday – but I did (just a little, anyway !).

Clearly, it’s unrealistic to issue 3 tips – all at decent prices – and expect all 3 to win.

However, when the 2 you fancy least come home in front – it’s a little disappointing that the best bet of the day, doesn’t also oblige !

That was Present Times, who I was very sweet on, in the handicap hurdle at Exeter.

The case for him was partially built around his run at Chepstow, when he finished second to Lovenormoney.

He was 9lb better off with the winner, for a 9 length beating, that day.

However, I felt that Loevnormoeny had the run of the race – and therefore fancied Present Times to reverse the form.

Unfortunately, that’s not how things panned out, as having raced prominently throughout, Lovenormoney battled on well when challenged at the last, for a game win.

Based on form, Present Times, should have finished very close to him – but instead, he was pulled up, having lost touch, entering the home straight.

It was subsequently reported that Present Times suffered a cut on his leg, during the race – and you have to think that explained his poor performance.

My suspicion is that those of us who had him in doubles and trebles with the other two tips, can consider ourselves a little unlucky…

As I said on Saturday, the luck ebbs and flows !

With regard to the 2 other tips:

Then Band of Blood absolutely hacked up in the veterans chase.

That was always a possibility – if he retained his form and Dr Newland had him spot on – and clearly that was the case on both counts…

He breezed through the race and beat Harry Topper by 15 lengths, easing down.

In fact the only thing that surprised me, was that he wasn’t particularly well backed.

His SP of 11/2 (6/1 on BF) was close to his morning price – and I didn’t expect that to be the case, if he was ready to do himself justice…

Folsom Blue was better backed at Punchestown – and whilst he didn’t win as easily, I suspect he had a fair bit in hand of his opponents.

Certainly, running down to he last, he looked like winning comfortably - but he then put the brakes on, allowing Isleofhopesndreams to jump past him.

It says much for his ability that he rallied on the run in and got back up.

He may be able to remain competitive, even after he has been reassessed.

As for the days 2 Mentions:

Vision des Flos showed himself to be a very decent horse, when hacking up in the novice hurdle at Exeter. It will be interesting to see just how good he is, now that his physical issues appear to have been resolved; And whilst Verni didn’t managed to do quite so well in the novice chase, he still ran a very good race for a chasing debutante – finding only the returning (and gambled on) Allyson Monterg, too good.

All in all then, a pretty good day (even if it could have been a great one !)

TVB.