Review of the day

I guess it wasn’t a bad day – but I feel it could have been a fair bit better…

That was mainly due to Red Devil Lads – the only tip of the day – who came within a head of winning at Ffos Las.

To be honest, he should have won.
Jonathon Moore rode exactly the race I hoped on him, setting out in front and gradually winding things up.

He had most of the field at it down the home straight – with the exception of Sirop de Menthe.

Red Devil Lads would still have won if he’d met either of the final 2 flights right - but he met them both wrong, lost momentum twice - and ultimately, that cost him.

It felt particularly harsh that it was Sirop de Menthe who beat him.

I was so keen on the horse last season – but never got chance to tip him.

More Sods Law…

At least the blow was lessened a little, half an hour later, when Minella Daddy bolted up at Ascot.

I felt he was a bit short in the betting at 10/3 this morning – but he ended up going off at 9/4 !

To be fair, you’ll rarely see an easier winner of a decent handicap chase.

He cruised round, contesting the lead – and the jump he put in at the last, suggested he could have won with another stone on his back.

He’ll likely have to carry that next time he runs in a handicap – though in the short term at least, his future appears to be in novice graded events.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on, raised in class…

Earlier on the Ascot card, Brother Tedd ran much better than at Ascot – but was still no match for Different Gravey.

In truth that one didn’t win as impressively as I expected – but presumably Nicky Henderson had left a little to work on…

I guess I was glad that I dodged Fox Appeal in the handicap chase.

He would have been an obvious one to tip – but alarm bells were ringing in the back of my head - and fortunately, I listened to them !

He was given a bizarre ride - leading in a race where plenty of pace was assured.

He will be dropped properly for this run – and could still be of interest, next time…

Rothman could also be of interest next time – assuming he is lowered in grade…

Back at Ffos Las, Zephyros Bleu looked like he would come on for the run, in the novice handicap chase.

Highway Storm was backed into short priced favoritism in the race – and won pretty well.

Over at Haydock, Cloudy Dream beat Pain au Chocolat in the novice chase.

The forecast only paid £3:52 – but it was a bit like picking money up in the street…

Finally, Island Heights wasn’t sufficiently well handicapped to repeat his win of last year – as I feared might be the case.

He will drop in the weights now, and will probably pick something up, on soft ground, over the next couple of months…

TVB.