Another disappointing day, where the only consolation was that I didn’t tip more horses – or stake more on the ones I did tip !!
Just a few words on the performance of each:
Handy Andy ran a nothing sort of race: mid-division at best and weakening up the home straight.
He clearly isn’t as good as I initially thought and he is one to remove from any lists, until his rating plummets or he is put back over fences (which I’m sure he will be, in the fullness of time).
Atouchbetweenacara ran very well.
He raced prominently and still looked to be going nicely turning into the home straight. Unfortunately, his jumping let him down a little over the last few fences and he could only finish fourth.
If he gets his ideal conditions next time out (as described this morning) – he will win !
The question is whether connections will be patient enough to leave him for a couple of months and target a lower grade handicap on quicker ground. Only time will tell…
Carrickmines also ran a fair race.
He was held up at the back, but made good headway on the home turn. However his effort flattened out at that point and he could only plug on to finish eight.
He will be dropped a few pounds for this and is not one to give up on completely…
Over at Ascot, Little Josh ran very poorly in the Ascot chase, eventually pulling up.
He did lead the field for the first few fences, but was soon caught and overtaken by the rest of the field.
He should have run better than he did, suggesting that he either ’bounced’ following his Cheltenham run, or that he didn’t like going right handed.
Finally, Eastlake was the subject of one of my trademark plunges (possibily helped a little by Tom Segal). He tanked through the race (as he had done in the Lanzarote) and was still looking good approaching the home turn.
However, his early exertions had clearly taken their toll and he weakened badly up the straight, ultimately finishing well beaten.
I’m not sure what the plans are for him, but it looks to me as if he needs a fast run 2 miles. If he can get into the race, I would have thought that the county hurdle at the festival would be ideal. I’ll be keeping my eye on him…
Hi Tvb,
ReplyDeleteFirstly what a cracking blog, very educational. I read it in full last weekend and learnt (or was reminded of) loads! I admire your discipline and ability to pick and choose the right opportunities. I managed to find Mark the Book the night before when it won at Chepstow so at least I feel I am on the right lines. Re Atouchbetweenacara I agree he needs a break between races. Interestingly he has won in March and April on better ground. Maybe we should suggest to Miss Williams to give the horse a small break but I am sure she is wel aware of his profile. Eastlake will be an interesting horse between now and April also given he has won on a firmer surface. Surely too much made of him today? He was in my notebook but I missed the 16/1 last night as I was out and about. The 8/1 this am was too short IMO.
All part and parcel with the game Andy mate, I know you don't need me to tell you that but I will anyway hehe. Despite no winners this last few days a good few of the picks were still better than their odds implied. I think the general concensus is that it's been a bad week all round, especially for the ones who back double figures, as you tend to do.
ReplyDeleteI was actualy reading through the earlier blogs and noticed that your aim at the start was 40 points profit, which you have already achieved with a few ante post winners paid for and Cheltenham still to come ;)
So all round we should all be happy
Ciaran
Cheers Oasisdreamer.
ReplyDeleteI think part of the 'fun' of this project, has been getting to know some of the characters that I've tipped !
Not that I would ever tip for sentimental reasons - I tip simply because I believe a horse can win - but all the same, if you watch a particular horse very closely, it's amazing what you can learn about it.
It just goes to show, with so many horses in training, we have no chance of ever getting all the knowledge we ideally need - not that it stops us trying though !
Atouchbetweenacara and Eastlake both remain firmly on the horses to follow list, that's for sure !
The thing is Ciaran, yesterday I tipped five horses at 22/1, 20/1, 20/1, 16/ and 8/1 – looking at that coldly, it’s not really a surprise that I didn’t get a winner !! (statistically, it was about 1/4 that I would fail !).
I can cope with that tbh – and there were definite glimmers from both Atouchbetweenacara and Eastlake.
My biggest issue is that I again feel like I’m struggling for time to do things justice.
I had the same issue in December – but it was cushioned by the early win of Fiendish Flame.
I need to tread more carefully when I’ve not got the time. There isn’t a lot I can do about it – other than make sure that we don’t all lose a fortune as a result !!