I have to say that I found today’s race a little frustrating to watch…
Quite why Alex Merriam didn’t grasp the nettle on Evella, when she has led in virtually all of her previous chases – and when there was no other front runner in the race – I simply don’t know…
Instead, he seemed happy to lob along side Paddy Brennan on Ring Bo Ree. I don’t even think that Brennan particularly wanted to be in the lead – but what do you do if you are gifted an uncontested one ?!
I did think briefly, that the tactics were maybe to sit in behind the leader down the back straight, where apparently there was a strong wind. But no, the tactics there were to race a couple of horse widths wide – and half a length down…
Maybe not too surprisingly, having not raced in her preferred style – and having given ground away all the way round, Evella started to fade after the fourth last fence.
In truth, she was eventually pulled up, so the tactics may have been irrelevant – but they were irritating non-the-less !!
Still, we also had Nataani in the race – and despite making a few early mistakes, he travelled nicely in third, rounding the home turn.
However, Paddy Brennan had ridden a canny race from the front and despite Ring Bo Ree making a complete mess of the final fence (a far worse than the mistake that saw Charingworth exit yesterday) he has sufficient in reserve to withstand Nataani’s late, persistent challenge…
However, Paddy Brennan had ridden a canny race from the front and despite Ring Bo Ree making a complete mess of the final fence (a far worse than the mistake that saw Charingworth exit yesterday) he has sufficient in reserve to withstand Nataani’s late, persistent challenge…
Looked like Timmy was going to get up at 2 out but winner stayed on gamely and Nataani had nothing left in the tank. Had he jumped better throughout it may have been a different finish. Both horses were cracking picks and it's only money lent :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always pleased to see your comments waiting for moderation Ciaran. Your enthusiasm and positive take on things, definitely helps keep the pressure off...
ReplyDeleteIn truth, if the SPs had been the prices available last night, we might have been on the winner ! 8/1 about the most obvious pick in the race, seemed rather generous.
I can recall thinking similar on a few occasions over the past couple of months (we would have been on Charingworth if the 9/1 had been on offer the night before).
It does make me wonder: we always want to be with the 'steamers' - but it is us that are creating them (helped by the odds compilers !).
In truth, there is probably just as much value with the drifters - provided you back them at the right time of day.
Perhaps next year, I should try tipping half an hour before the off to see if I could do any better. I could call it the 'TVB Late Comers' service ;)