Review of the day

It was nice to start the Grand National meeting with a big priced winning tip.

Lil Rockerfeller and Balnaslow had gone so close at Cheltenham, I kind of felt that one was due – but we all know it doesn’t work that way..!

Fortunately, however, Dineur has no knowledge of past TVB near misses – and he jumped and travelled beautifully in the Foxhunters.

It was obvious from the Elbow, that he was going to win – and maybe appropriate that it was Balnaslow who stayed on for second place (I don’t suppose you had the forecast again, did you Chris ?!).

Aside from Dineur however, it was a day of frustration…

The ground at Aintree was clearly riding a good deal softer than I expected.

The first 3 races were all won by horses who I effectively dismissed, due to ground concerns – whilst the ones I tipped, generally didn’t appreciate the conditions.

In the opener, I was right to take on Top Notch and Cloudy Dream – but it was soft ground lover, Flying Angel, who came out on top.

Sam Twiston Davies’ decision to force the pace on Frodon, not only did for his chances, it also did for those of Cyrius Moriviere.

So quite a frustrating start to the day !

Aside from the ground, there were no excuses for Forth Bridge in the 4 year old hurdle.
He had the run of the race up front – but just wasn’t good enough.

I though he might struggle to beat Defi Du Seuil – but I expected him to at least get close to placing.

Unfortunately, he didn’t – and he finished well beaten.

Silviniaco Contis chances were compromised by first Bristol de Mai – and then Cue Card, taking him on for the lead.
That said, I doubt he would have been good enough even given the run of the race – he’s just not the horse he was and it was the right decision of connections to retire him after the contest.

It seems a little ironic that the race was won by Tea for Two.

Silviniaco pipped him for third place when I tipped him in the King George – but he reversed that form in no uncertain manner this afternoon – again, no doubt helped by the relatively soft ground.

Buveur D’Air was an impressive winner of the Aintree hurdle – where Rashaan would have found the ground too soft.

Whilst Double Ws was a gutsy winner of the Red Run chase.
As I said this morning, I would have been interested in him at 8/1 – but the best price available when I could tip, was 6/1.

Hopefully a few of you kept the faith, when his price drifted…

Finally, despite being well backed, Sassy Diva never featured in the closing bumper.

I quite fancied her (as you probably picked up !) – but she simply didn’t run her race (for whatever reason).

TVB.