7th December - Race review

I don’t really know what to say about today’s tip…
As you doubtless gathered, I really, really fancied it (at the prices) – and staked it accordingly.
In the cold light of day it was a 20/1 shot that was pulled up – but I know that wasn’t even close to it’s true running…
I guess it might not have beaten Christopher Wren – who did look well handicapped and won well – but it should have gone close.
I’m not going to start suggesting nefarious goings on – but the pre-race market drift was alarming, to say the least !
Ranjobaie was backed all morning, into a best price of 10/1 around lunchtime.
In truth, I still thought that was potentially generous, so I was staggered to watch it then proceed to drift all the way back out to 25 on Betfair !
Maybe something happened pre-race that I’m not aware of – I just don’t know. But I do know that it is very unusual for a horse to be backed like that – and then drift back beyond it’s original price.
In the race itself, Ranjobaie was under pressure not long after passing the stands for the first time – and was pulled up just after half way.
With Fiendish Flame ‘stalked’ by the JP McManus second string, City Theatre and Legion D’Honneur nearly decanting Richard Johnson at the first, Ranjobaie should have had a great chance of at least being placed.
Instead, it was Afsoun who ran a very decent race, suggesting that his turn isn’t far away.
All in all though, it has to go down as a most disappointing race :(