Review of the day - Jan 9th

It was good to get some decent racing this afternoon - and even better to find a wining Best bet ! 

The Christmas/New year period was a bit of a struggle, mainly because of the weather - and I did fear it would be more of the same, this weekend.

It’s always a danger at this time of year - but knowing that, doesn’t make it much easier to handle.

I was surprised that all 3 courses passed their early morning inspections - and even though there was doubts over which horses would be running where - along with the state of the ground - I was happy enough to get involved.

I issued 3 Best bets on the day - backed up by a number of Matrix bets.

The Bay Birch was the first of the Best bets to run - and she ran really well at Kempton.
In fact, when she kicked 4 lengths clear rounding the home turn, it momentarily looked as if she might have stolen the race.

However, Smarty Wild and Pistol Whipped were both travelling strongly in behind her - and they pounced jumping the second last.
She battled on bravely to claim third spot - but that was the best she was capable of…

Double Shuffle was the next Best bet on the day.
I noted him running well over the Christmas period - and hoped he’d be able to build on that today.

And build on it, he did !
He travelled nicely throughout the race, jumping like a buck.

Entering the home straight, it was clear that he only had Ami Debois to beat - but regrettably, that one wasn’t stopping !

He was 2 lengths clear over the second last - and whilst Double Shuffle was slowly eating into the lead, he needed a big jump at the last, to stand any chance.

He’d produced great leaps at most of the other fences - and when he really needed one, he delivered again.
More than that, Ami Debois stumbled on landing and his initiative was lost.
James Bowen had to keep Double Shuffle up to his work in order to get home in front - but he did just that - and the horse responded gamely, for a very welcome win…

Shang Tang was the final Best Bet on the day - and I was also quite keen on his chance.
He was given a positive ride by James Bowen - but I suspect they went off too fast.
Certainly, there was a pace collapse rounding the home turn, and all of the leaders were swallowed up by finishers.

Shang Tang was already beaten, at that point - and in fact was pulled after jumping the second last.

Each of the Best bets was supported by a Matrix bet on my second fancy in the respective races - however, none of them managed to get involved in the race finishes.
There were a few other independent Matrix bets - but most of them also ran poorly…

Indefatigable quickly backed out of the Relkeel hurdle at Kempton; whilst neither Yggdrasil nor Elham Valley, featured in the Finale hurdle, at Chepstow.
Also at Chepstow, Christmas in April was beaten before entering the straight in the Welsh National - and it was left to Captain Drake to give Matrix followers something to cheer in the race.
Ultimately he wasn’t good enough to threaten a very well handicapped winner - but his fourth placing at 40/1, was a commendable effort.

With very little of note happening at Wincanton, the only other race worth commenting on, was the Silviniaco Conti chase at Kempton.

I’d not had much luck with the unofficial ante-post weekend bets in the forum (think Milkwood and Benson) - but thankfully luck smiled on Master Tommytucker this afternoon (who I put up at 6/1, on Tuesday)…

Firstly Short priced favourite, Imperial Aura, decanted his jockey at the second fence: and then Harry Cobden managed to stick with Master TT, despite the horse trying to take the last fence home with him !

When your luck is out, it’s out - but things always change, eventually :)

TVB.