It ended up being a quieter day than I expected, with just a couple of Best bets and a few supporting ones, for the Matrix.
As a consequence, there was never likely to be high drama - and I’m happy enough that the day ended with a modest profit.
That was thanks for Enqarde, who was a game winner at Ascot.
Always close up behind the favourite - he travelled quite well, even if his jumping was occasionally a bit too close to the mark !
He also showed a tendency to jump slightly to his left, so in the circumstances, he did well to win.
He can expect about a 6lb rise for his efforts - but he has a progressive profile.
Back on a left hand course - and in a suitable grade - I suspect he will be more than capable of following up…
Arrivederci was the other Best bet on the day - and it can be argued that he was a little unlucky not also to collect…
He wasn’t unlucky in conventional terms (ie. luck in running etc.) - he was unlucky to bump into an unexposed horse who had about a stone in hand of his mark !
In fairness, I did identify Craigneiche as a potential danger - but he was one of four unexposed horses who might have been capable of stepping up today.
I covered a couple of them via the Matrix - but I didn’t cover him and Sods Law did the rest !
As for Arrivederci: he ran a really good race - bouncing back from a relatively poor run last time at Ascot.
He is likely to get a couple of pounds for his efforts - and that won’t make it easy for him to go one better next time.
In terms of bets, then there was only one other one on the day.
That was Crievehill at Haydock, who I covered in the Matrix.
I was fearful that the Haydock ground might prove to be a bit too soft for him - and I suspect that was how it worked out.
He ran a fair race - but was absolutely no match for Royal Pagaille.
The winner looked like a graded horse running in a handicap (which is probably what he is !) - and it will be interesting to see how far he can go.
All I would say, is that with Sam Brown a non runner and Sams Adventure a mid-race faller, he was left with absolutely nothing to beat.
Suffice to say, I’ll reserve judgement on him until I’ve seen him in a stronger race.
As for Crievehill, he will be dropped a few more pounds and could certainly be of interest in a couple of months time, on better ground.
In the days other races: Roksana and Yala Enki were both odds on winners - but Buveur Dair was a beaten favourite, on his return to action.
That wasn’t really a huge shock - though I would have expected Ballyandy to be the one to capitalise, if he under-performed.
Instead it was Navajo Pass, who got an uncontested lead - and made the most of an inspired ride from Sean Quinlan.
Over at Ascot, Dashel Draher was a very game winner of the big handicap chase.
He was held by Good boy Bobby on Haydock form, so I could never have been with him.
Whilst First Flow put in an equally stirring effort to beat Politologue in the Clarence House chase.
I did feel the favourite was vulnerable - but thought it would be either Waiting Patiently or Defi du Seuil who would beat him.
However, they were both held up off the pace and never able to get to the leaders.
First Flow on the other hand, sat just behind Politilogue early; challenged at half way - and then proved the stronger up the straight.
It was a mighty effort from a fast improving horse.
TVB.
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