Review of the day

There was no joy again for todays tips - which was disappointing, considering that most of them ran really well.

However, at Cheltenham, running well is rarely good enough - you need to put in a flawless round, and non of them quite managed to do that…

First up it was Vinndication.
I knew he would have his work cut out to reverse Sandown form with Defi de Seuil and Lostintranslation - but felt there was a chance that he could do just that.

However, an early mistake put him on the back foot - and with his 2 main opponents barely making a mistake between them, he was never able to mount a meaningful challenge.

He ran well, and was just nosed out of fourth place - which was probably a fair reflection of his ability…

It was a similar story with Road to Respect.
He was the main tip on the day - and I really thought he would run well.
And he did just that, stalking the leader throughout and seemingly travelling nicely.

However, he made a crucial mistake at the third last, just as he was about to mount his challenge - and he couldn't recover from that.
Ultimately, he finished third - beaten 3 lengths, by a horse who got the run of the race and jumped superbly…

I tipped 2 in the Stayers hurdle - and again, they both ran well.

In fact, Sam Spinner ran exceptionally well - and just for a moment, approaching the last, it looked as if he might pull off a huge shock.
However, Paisley Park proved to be as good as his reputation, and he collared Sam Spinner on the run to the last - and then stayed on up the hill.

It reminded me of Lil Rockerfeller a couple of years back - it’s fair to say that the Stayers hurdle is not my favourite race at the Festival !

Next it was the Plate - and again, Bouvreuil ran a great race - but ended up with nothing to show for it.

He was baulked by an early faller - but travelled really powerfully until the home turn.
The problem for him, was that the 4 market leaders were all in front of him - and all travelling just as well.

And unfortunately, non of them faltered up the hill - and try as Richie McLernon might, he couldn’t quite get Bouvreuil into the frame.
It was yet another big effort - but again, that counted for nothing…

The final tips on the day ran in the Mares novice hurdle.

I was keen to take on favourite Epatante - and I was right to do so,.
I even think I picked a couple of fair ones to oppose her with, as both Elusive Belle and Indefatigable, ran well.
However, once again, neither ran quite well enough - and in a finish of rank outsiders, Indefatigable did best of the pair, with an honourable fifth placing.

As for the Mentions:
Then somehow, Barry Geraghty managed to get Sire du Berlais home in front in the Pertemps final.
He was backed in to 4/1 at the off - but I’ve no idea how he managed to win.
Somehow, the very well backed ones just seem to…

Captain Chaos also ran really well in the Fulke Walwyn.
But having led to the home turn, his stamina gave out up the straight (as I feared it might)…

Just one day left then, to right the weeks wrongs.

No pressure :)

TVB.