Many years ago, I recall a days racing at Newbury, when I just couldn’t find a tip that I was happy with - and I ended up skipping the day.
It was before Matrix bets - and so the half fancies that I had, were simply given as ‘Mentions’.Needless to say, my 2 main Mentions won - one at 14/1 and the other at 25/1…
I tell that story, because today felt similar to that day.
For whatever reason (probably recent results !), I struggled to get into today races - and felt very unsure as to how I should handle things.
Ofcourse, I now have the experience of the Newbury day - so I tried to be consistent in my execution.
With hindsight, I wish I’d been more bullish with my suggested bets - but with hindsight, I suspect few of us would ever make a mistake !
As it was I ended up suggesting just the one Best bet on the day - plus a few for the Matrix (but at least I ended up suggesting something !).
The Best bet was Caribean Boy - and I was quite keen on him.
However, as is invariably the case, his early price was extremely tight - so whilst I might have been prepared to have a point on him at 5/1, at the early 7/2, I felt that the value was minimal.
Come the off, he had drifted to 5/1 on the exchanges (9/2 SP) - but ofcourse it’s too late by then…
In the race itself, he took up a prominently early position - and if I’m honest, I wasn’t completely happy with the way he was travelling.
However, James Bowen is a good jockey - and he took the initiative with the horse and started to make up its mind, at a few of the fences.
Turning in, he looked to be going best - but there were still plenty of runners in with a chance.
Jumping the second last, Smarty Wild forged into the lead - and it briefly looked like a decisive move.
However, Bowen was still hanging on to something - and he galvanised Caribean Boy, and then got a great jump at the last.
By contrast, Smarty Wild was a little hesitant - and with his greater stamina coming into play, Caribean Boy then powered clear up the run in.
It was nice to get one on the board after another lean spell - and to be honest, after all the recent seconds, it was very much overdue…
The days other bets were all for the Matrix - and whilst they were only in 3 races, there were quite a few of them !
The first 2 were in the novice hurdle at Warwick - and whilst both Viva Lavilla and Scipion ran well, neither one could get to all the way winner, Stag Horn.
He’s a very decent horse on the flat - and it looks as if he’s also going to be a decent horse over hurdles.
The next batch of Matrix bets ran in the Lanzarote at Kempton.
I went with 4 at big prices - tho that became 3 after the second hurdle, when Ch’tibello fell.
2 of the remaining 3, ran really well: Quinto do Mar was in third place when he fell at the final flight: leaving Call me Lord to run on and claim that spot.
The final Matrix bets were in the Classic chase at Warwick.
In truth, I wanted to make Gericault Roque a Best bet - but his price was just too short.
As a consequence, I covered him with 3 units for the Matrix - and added Eclair Surf and Notachance, form minimum stakes at bigger prices.
All 3 ran well - but it was apparent for virtually the entire final circuit, that either Eclair Surf or Gericault Roque was going to win.
And it was Ecalir Surf who ultimately prevailed - making all for a decisive win.
Obviously it was good news for the Matrix - but it did make me think…
I put up Eclair Surf in a much weaker race at Cheltenham on New Years day - and I was pretty keen on him.
However, he was pulled out - and the race subsequently fell apart.
Having watched his performance today, there can be little doubt that he would have bolted up that day - effectviely costing the Best bets 4pts…
At the end of the season, when I examine the ‘luck’ he won’t feature - but a little like Frodon and Indefatigable on day 1, he was one who got away, for reasons beyond my control…
Anyway, such is life !
In the other races on the day, there were wins for Falco Blitz and Mister Fisher at Kempton.
Again, they were two who I could easily have suggested (officially), if the early prices had been there (they were there 5 mins before the off, but that’s too late).
Whilst at Warwick, Brave Seasca, Threeunderthrufive and Sporting John came home in front.
I wouldn’t have been on any of those - but equally, I didn’t strongly fancy anything against them…
TVB.
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