Quick review..
well not the best start to the meeting on a personal note. Standing Ovation in 6th was best in the 3 mile chase, with the other two disappointing. The Cheltenham, long distance hnc chase master, JonJo Oneill snaffled another winner. I questioned his jumping and he had too much weight, he had too much weight i tell you!! That is racing, using trends at this meeting can unravel on one day, but over time, over years, they hold true! Very sad to see the death of Our Conor, way before his time. A day full of stories, highs and lows, but we must move onto tomorrow. (wont dwell on Attagalnce just failing in second! I dont like to criticize jockeys given they put their lives on the line for my enjoyment, but if he had his time again, i think he would ride him differently after jumping the last – hindsight a wonderful thing though!)
quite short and sweet tonight and in truth there is nothing I am overly confident about, but hopefully some good runs for our money.
2.05
0’Faolains Boy 16/1 1pt EW
Ticks major trends, clearly improving and I am expecting a big run IF he handles what appears to be good ground. If he does, 16/1 is too big and there is some juice in the price if he doesnt. He had won a point on good so we shall see. I was very impressed with his run last time, as he was not fully tuned up and the stable was coming out of a bad spell of illness. If we dont win on him tomorrow, we will be in the future!
2.40
Party Rock 0.5pt EW 33/1
Calculated Risk 0.5pt EW 40/1
Very open as all handicaps are at the Festival. I cant say I have burnt the midnight oil toiling over the selections. The stats etc leave a healthy looking list of contenders, and at the odds I like these two. To me it looks like Party Rocks mark has been managed. Very interesting that he has been run on unsuitable ground, and he has been held up. Every time he has won he normally runs close to the pace, if doing so tomorrow could outrun his odds! Calculated risk is form a shrew stable that I like, and for me 40/1 is too big. Back EW to 5 places.
3.20
Captain Conan 1pt win 5/1
Not a strong selection but every sign that the Henderson yard is flying, and some Festival winners are not far away. he will be spot on for this and can best exploit any weaknesses in the fav.
4.00
Big Shu
In truth a tip from Matt over at Geegeez that I have waded into quite heavily with some free bets a won courtesy of winning a monthly tipping competition on his site. I cant disagree with the selection, but with teh drying ground, Balthazar King is a real danger and I will be backing him as well.
that is it, all the other races are not of interest to me.
Good luck whatever you back!
