Review of the day

I feel we’ve had a few close ones go against us recently…

Bentley de Mee last Saturday and Ms Parofis on Tuesday, both traded heavily odds on in-running – and got beaten: and Hitherjacques Lady went even shorter in-running today, but again came out second best.

It’s obviously frustrating when it happens – but we had a good run with the close finishes earlier in the season, and these things do even out (eventually !)

I wasn’t surprised to see Hitherjacques Lady run so well.
She was very strong in the betting, sent off at 5/1, having been double that earlier.

I was more surprised that it was Clyne who got the better of her.

He had a lot of weight to carry – but there is no substitute for class and he relished the conditions.

Bentelimar was the only other tip on the day.

He travelled beautifully for the first two thirds of the race – but then found nothing when the pressure applied.

Maybe he was chasing too strong a pace (the early leaders both faded badly, late on): or maybe he doesn’t quite stay 2m4f.

It’s difficult to know.
All I do know is that he ultimately finished well beaten !

In terms of the Mentions:

Then things panned out pretty much as I expected, for Kayf Blanco, at Kempton.

He ran a good race – but wasn’t quite quick enough and could only finished second.
The problem he’ll have, is that he’ll be edged up the weights again, for not winning…

Also at Kempton, Just a Sting disappointed, whilst Kildisart bounced back to form (it clearly can pay to have a forgiving nature !)

Over at Uttoxeter, it was similar story, with Another Venture disappointing and Behind Time finally coming good (even though he wasn’t excessively backed).

Finally, in the Midlands Grand National, The Artful Cobbler couldn’t match strides with the more experienced Milansbar, and in trying to do so, his jumping fell apart.
Regal Flow was the one who took advantage – but to be honest, if I’d had a dozen picks in the race, I don’t think I would have got him…

Maybe I need a few days off 

TVB.