Review of the day

I think we all knew that we had been brewing for a day like today…

For whatever reason (I like to think it’s just luck, but who knows for sure ?!), since the New Year, this has felt like a completely different service.

Yes, some of the tips have been winning – but the real difference has been in the quality of the write-ups.

Almost every one has pinpointed horses and angles, which hopefully you’ve been able to use to make a profit – and certainly that was the case this afternoon…

That said, the most obvious place to start when reviewing the day, is with the only tip…

When I produced the write-up this morning, I said:

‘Despite there being 15 runners in this, it strikes me as a 2 horse race’

I didn’t realise just how prophetic those words would be !

Literally from the off, there were indeed only two horses in the race: Baie des Iles and Bonny Kate.

I expected Bonny Kate to race prominently – but I didn’t really expect that to be the case with Baie Des ilse.

However, Katie Walsh clearly knew what she was doing and she got the horse in to a terrific rhythm at the head of affairs.

She was quickly 10 lengths clear of Bonny Kate - and that one was 10 lengths clear of the remainder of the field.

And that is pretty much how thing stayed, until the home turn, when Bonny Kate tried to challenge.

However, Katie Walsh had kept something up her sleeve, and Baie des Iles just kicked on again.

It was a great sight - spoilt only by Ruby forcing Sambremont into second on the line – and therefore ruining the forecast ! (which I had at 40/1, with B365 !).

The victory of Baie des Iles just capped at tremendous days work at Punchestown…

There were also 3 official Mentions running there – and all 3 ran huge races.

Usuel Smurfer looked sure to win the cross country on his first attempt – but just couldn’t quite get past Auvergnat.

Realt Mor couldn’t quite get passed Douvan – though that was a little less surprising and he did comfortably beat the only other finisher.

I’d be interested to know how many of you got the 9/1 on him ‘without Douvan’ – as I noticed the price was smashed up, not long after 11:00 (coincidence ?!).

Finally, Velocity Boy did what he should have done last time, leading all the way and coming home unchallenged.

Maybe his previous issue was indeed with the course orientation (as in fairness, he does look a tricky ride).

Things didn’t go quite so stunningly Taunton – but that was mainly because Punchestown set such a ridiculously high standard !

Bertimont ran a huge race in the handicap hurdle – but couldn’t quite get past course specialist Hint of Mint.

Speredek didn’t have to worry about getting past anything, as he led from the start and never looked in any danger.

I felt he was too risky to tip this morning, without knowing how good the 2 unexposed horses in the race, were.

However, it was clear by the off, that they weren’t really fancied – whereas he had come in for good support.

Hopefully some of you used the ‘market intelligence’ to get yourself on a winner... 

Winning Spark rewarded EW players with a gutsy third placing behind easy winner Verni: and so well had the afternoon gone, it was actually a little disappointing that Warriors Tale could only manage the same placing…

Finally, Over at Musselburgh, Baltimore Rock ran another shocker.

The reason was a bit more obvious this time (he wouldn’t settle) – but it was still disappointing.

In just 2 runs, he’s gone from a horse with a lot of potential, to a horse with a lot of question marks over him.

Still, his run was just a blip on an otherwise excellent day – it would appear that TVB has finally found his stride 

TVB