Review of the day

In addition to the horses that we latch on to every season, it’s funny how there also seem to be jockeys, who are keen to impress TVB with their efforts…

The original ‘TVB jockey’ was the incomparable Richard Johnson (Dickie, to his friends !); whilst last year, ‘Go to Paddy’ Brennan was the man of the moment.

Obviously it’s still early days this season – but Jamie Bargary appears to be making a play for a place on the TVB ‘Dream team’…

He rode a great race on board Valadom on Wednesday – and he was pretty much faultless on Astracad this afternoon.

The horse travelled beautifully - and even when he was challenged by Ericht between the last two fences, I had a feeling that Astracads’ greater resolution would win the day.

Realt Mor stayed on for third place, making it a 1,2,3 for the short-list.

The tricast payed just shy of £60 – if anyone had it, they can have a special ‘star pupil’ mention in tomorrows write–up !

The other tip on the day was Top Wood – and I was also pretty keen on him.

However, he isn’t the most fluent of jumpers – and whilst he was very unlucky to unseat at the fourth last (he had nowhere to go), he does cause a lot of his own problems.

Mark my words, he’ll win soon: but it will be at a lesser track – and probably in a smaller field…

Earlier in the afternoon, Un Beau Roman won the 2 mile handicap chase.
As you probably gathered, I just couldn’t figure the race out, so it was kind of appropriate that it went to a 25/1 shot who you could really only have picked, with a pin !

It was worrying to see Barters Hill pulled up in the novice chase.

I felt he was one to take on today - but you don’t like to be proved right in such a manner.

It’safreebee jumped absolutely beautifully – and looked sure to win running down the hill.

However, he then found nothing.

Hopefully it was just a case of his stamina giving out – but the way he went from cruising to struggling, was a bit disconcerting.

West Approach ran a really good race in the novice hurdle.

Aidan Coleman chose to make all on him - and it seemed to suit well.

He jumped from hurdle to hurdle and again, looked the most likely winner, for most of the race.

However, he was outspeeded up the hill by both Peregrine Run and Wholestone – which surprised me, a little.

I was also a little surprised that Tudor City didn’t manage to win the novice handicap hurdle.

He wasn’t actually as strong in the betting as I thought he would be – but he still went off 4/1 fav.

You wouldn’t have got 4/1 on, approaching the final hurdle - but some how he couldn’t get past an ultra game winner.

Tudor City actually touched 1.03 in running – which gives some idea of how likely victory looked.

I guess it just goes to show, they haven’t won until they cross that finishing line…

TVB.