Day One Review: Pinch Me, I Think I'm Dreaming!
Wow, this is what it feels like! I've often wondered. Today I had a winning Tuesday. Which means for the rest of the week (or tomorrow at least), I won't be chasing losses.
The day panned out like this for me...
2.00 All about Amaretto Rose according to the market. I had backed Hide The Evidence and was happy to let my 10/1 ticket ride in this race, with this pair carrying my placepot hopes. As suggested in my comments yesterday, Rosey cruised into contention, but found nought off the bridle. Had she finished second, I would have accepted that she was beaten by a better horse (the winner was doing the proverbial acrobatics coming to the last), but she was outbattled by Granit Jack, who'd been rowed along for some way for the silver medal position. For me, she oozes class but finds nought. 40/1 on the winner and I was nowhere near pulling this one out.
The one observation I would make is that Aga Khan bred horses seem to be making an impact at the festival. They are usually classy middle distance flat horses, and this one - by Daylami out of Ebadiyla (a Sadlers Wells mare) - travelled imperiously before being let off the lead to win.
Not many found this one - I want to hear from you at the forum if you did!!
( http://nag-nag-nag.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php )
2.35 The Arkle was a race where I also had a view after crabbing Rosey in the first. Here I felt that it was a 3 horse race (My Way, Fair Along and Don't Push It) and that Don't Push It was a dodgy jumper. At the risk of gloating and offending people who backed the McManus owned animal, I was right.
Fair Along ran a fine race and was staying on after untypical non-front-running tactics were employed. This one will be back again at Aintree I expect, and will be closer to the winner. He was also hampered by the departing DPI.
Make a note of Twist Magic, who was also travelling very well when coming down at the same tricky fence as DPI. There'll be more tumblers at this obstacle before the week is out.
I had a nice bet on the winner at 5.6 on betfair a few days ago, and this set me up for a no lose day.
3.15 The Champion Hurdle and not a race I was strong on in any way. My heart said Hardy Eustace, and my head said Detroit City (though I had the doubt about the 5 year old stat in there too). In the end, I fought the stat, and backed another 5yo, Afsoun, each way at 33/1. I sneaked an 8.25/1 place and Betfred are yet again delighted to have taken my business...!
As for the race itself, Sublimity could have been called the winner a long way out (and indeed was in my boozer!). DC clouted the first and was never in the race after that, and I suspect he may have suffered an injury at that point.
Hardy and Brave Inca ran their usual gutsy races but the winner - another flat bred - was way too good for them this day. My placepot departed on the back of Hardy and Detroit, but the sugar with the pill was Afsoun cauding Hardy to miss the frame by nicking 3rd close home.
4.00 The Grade 1 affairs over with, and life becomes more challenging. Usually. Now this may be hard to believe, but having given favourable mentions to Juveigneur and Distant Thunder, as well as the (I'm sorry to report) late Little Brick, I actually placed the last £3.03 in my betfair account last night on the former Scottish National winner, Joe's Edge, at a tasty 85. Here in London, where beer is not cheap, that was worth 84 Guinnesses to one. I won't be thirsty tomorrow, or Thursday either!
Very sad to report that Little Brick broke a shoulder and, while I had him as a non-stayer for the Grand National, I would have liked to see him prove it. A very good horse sent to pasture elsewhere alas.
A thrilling finish for this race, and one which I doubt will be bettered at the festival. After three knackering miles, the tricast was decided by a couple of fag papers (or short heads, as they're more correctly referred to).
4.40 The Novelty Race was won by the Irish new kid on the block, Heads Onthe Ground, as expected. He had too much speed for the old boys and looks set to dominate for a few years to come, unless another youngster emerges. In the places, Silver Birch advertised his National claims (I'm on at 100 - see my Grand National piece on the blog - http://www.nag-nag-nag.co.uk/blog.html - for the others I've sided with.)
Further back, the unreliable but clearly talented Le Duc ran an excellent third, and surely everyone's favourite, Spot Thedifference was fourth, rewarding each way support. I reckon with the emergence of the same owner / trainer combo's winner, Spotty may be retired now. And not before time. He's a living legend and unquestionably a favourite of mine.
5.20 Regular readers will know I had been (apparently) savvy enough to back Gaspara prior to her winning the Imperial Cup on Saturday, in the suspicion that the trainer would be going for the £75,000 bonus at the Festival.
Well, under an extremely aggressive ride from Andrew Glassonbury (claiming 5lb), he never saw another rival. I have to concede to thinking the jockey was mildly psychotic in that he couldn't possibly win the race from the front. But this mare stays, and she's gutsy, and she's got more than a little class. Today she proved it, and I'm delighted to report I got paid out. Nothing much of note in behind, except that Pipe had the third horse, whose French form was closely related to the winner, but who was sent off an unfancied 16/1 chance.
Well done to you if you found winners today. My punting chums were cursing their fortunes and only managed to congratulate me through grimaces, despite drinking to my health for most of the afternoon!
So first blood to me, but I'm way too wisened and cynical to believe that my meeting will continue in this fortuitous fashion. I'd have to have the talent, guts and stamina of Gaspara to maintain today's luck. And, alas, I have none of those three attributes.
So, if you were a winner today, regroup and count your blessings. For greater challenges lie ahead. If today you were vanquished, know that the league is never won at Christmas, and Cheltenham is never lost on Tuesday.
Best of luck for tomorrow - I'll continue to report through the week.
Comments if you have any would be welcomed at the forum - http://nag-nag-nag.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php
Best Regards
Matt
The day panned out like this for me...
2.00 All about Amaretto Rose according to the market. I had backed Hide The Evidence and was happy to let my 10/1 ticket ride in this race, with this pair carrying my placepot hopes. As suggested in my comments yesterday, Rosey cruised into contention, but found nought off the bridle. Had she finished second, I would have accepted that she was beaten by a better horse (the winner was doing the proverbial acrobatics coming to the last), but she was outbattled by Granit Jack, who'd been rowed along for some way for the silver medal position. For me, she oozes class but finds nought. 40/1 on the winner and I was nowhere near pulling this one out.
The one observation I would make is that Aga Khan bred horses seem to be making an impact at the festival. They are usually classy middle distance flat horses, and this one - by Daylami out of Ebadiyla (a Sadlers Wells mare) - travelled imperiously before being let off the lead to win.
Not many found this one - I want to hear from you at the forum if you did!!
( http://nag-nag-nag.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php )
2.35 The Arkle was a race where I also had a view after crabbing Rosey in the first. Here I felt that it was a 3 horse race (My Way, Fair Along and Don't Push It) and that Don't Push It was a dodgy jumper. At the risk of gloating and offending people who backed the McManus owned animal, I was right.
Fair Along ran a fine race and was staying on after untypical non-front-running tactics were employed. This one will be back again at Aintree I expect, and will be closer to the winner. He was also hampered by the departing DPI.
Make a note of Twist Magic, who was also travelling very well when coming down at the same tricky fence as DPI. There'll be more tumblers at this obstacle before the week is out.
I had a nice bet on the winner at 5.6 on betfair a few days ago, and this set me up for a no lose day.
3.15 The Champion Hurdle and not a race I was strong on in any way. My heart said Hardy Eustace, and my head said Detroit City (though I had the doubt about the 5 year old stat in there too). In the end, I fought the stat, and backed another 5yo, Afsoun, each way at 33/1. I sneaked an 8.25/1 place and Betfred are yet again delighted to have taken my business...!
As for the race itself, Sublimity could have been called the winner a long way out (and indeed was in my boozer!). DC clouted the first and was never in the race after that, and I suspect he may have suffered an injury at that point.
Hardy and Brave Inca ran their usual gutsy races but the winner - another flat bred - was way too good for them this day. My placepot departed on the back of Hardy and Detroit, but the sugar with the pill was Afsoun cauding Hardy to miss the frame by nicking 3rd close home.
4.00 The Grade 1 affairs over with, and life becomes more challenging. Usually. Now this may be hard to believe, but having given favourable mentions to Juveigneur and Distant Thunder, as well as the (I'm sorry to report) late Little Brick, I actually placed the last £3.03 in my betfair account last night on the former Scottish National winner, Joe's Edge, at a tasty 85. Here in London, where beer is not cheap, that was worth 84 Guinnesses to one. I won't be thirsty tomorrow, or Thursday either!
Very sad to report that Little Brick broke a shoulder and, while I had him as a non-stayer for the Grand National, I would have liked to see him prove it. A very good horse sent to pasture elsewhere alas.
A thrilling finish for this race, and one which I doubt will be bettered at the festival. After three knackering miles, the tricast was decided by a couple of fag papers (or short heads, as they're more correctly referred to).
4.40 The Novelty Race was won by the Irish new kid on the block, Heads Onthe Ground, as expected. He had too much speed for the old boys and looks set to dominate for a few years to come, unless another youngster emerges. In the places, Silver Birch advertised his National claims (I'm on at 100 - see my Grand National piece on the blog - http://www.nag-nag-nag.co.uk/blog.html - for the others I've sided with.)
Further back, the unreliable but clearly talented Le Duc ran an excellent third, and surely everyone's favourite, Spot Thedifference was fourth, rewarding each way support. I reckon with the emergence of the same owner / trainer combo's winner, Spotty may be retired now. And not before time. He's a living legend and unquestionably a favourite of mine.
5.20 Regular readers will know I had been (apparently) savvy enough to back Gaspara prior to her winning the Imperial Cup on Saturday, in the suspicion that the trainer would be going for the £75,000 bonus at the Festival.
Well, under an extremely aggressive ride from Andrew Glassonbury (claiming 5lb), he never saw another rival. I have to concede to thinking the jockey was mildly psychotic in that he couldn't possibly win the race from the front. But this mare stays, and she's gutsy, and she's got more than a little class. Today she proved it, and I'm delighted to report I got paid out. Nothing much of note in behind, except that Pipe had the third horse, whose French form was closely related to the winner, but who was sent off an unfancied 16/1 chance.
Well done to you if you found winners today. My punting chums were cursing their fortunes and only managed to congratulate me through grimaces, despite drinking to my health for most of the afternoon!
So first blood to me, but I'm way too wisened and cynical to believe that my meeting will continue in this fortuitous fashion. I'd have to have the talent, guts and stamina of Gaspara to maintain today's luck. And, alas, I have none of those three attributes.
So, if you were a winner today, regroup and count your blessings. For greater challenges lie ahead. If today you were vanquished, know that the league is never won at Christmas, and Cheltenham is never lost on Tuesday.
Best of luck for tomorrow - I'll continue to report through the week.
Comments if you have any would be welcomed at the forum - http://nag-nag-nag.co.uk/phpBB2/index.php
Best Regards
Matt
Labels: Cheltenham
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