Although the weekends action was limited to Saturday, it was a good days racing, with a couple of interesting meetings, at Ascot and Wincanton.
There was a slight worry that the weather might spoil things, but both meetings survived and whilst the ground was very soft (particularly at Haydock), it was raceable.
I managed to find a couple of Best bets on the day, with the first of them running at Ascot.
That was Doyen Breed - and whilst he was competing in a tight looking contest, I expected him to run well.
However, it was evident from quite early, that he wasn’t happy…
I couldn’t figure out whether it was the ground or the course (going right handed) - but whatever, he needed to be encouraged along from an early stage.
To his credit however, he kept on responding - and entering the home straight, he only had Does he Know ahead of him.
As he had also been under pressure for a fair chunk of the race, I was optimistic that Doyen Breed might be able to run him down - but alas not.
Approaching the last, it was clear that provided he jumped the fence, Does He Know had the race won.
And jump it he did, leaving Doyen Breed to stay on for a distant second.
I had also covered Fern Hill for the Matrix.
He travelled much better in the early part of the race - but then didn’t get home.
Either the ground was too much for him - or he simply wasn’t good enough…
Top Ville Ben was the other Best bet on the day - and he ran in the staying hurdle at Haydock.
I knew he’d relish the conditions - and I hoped he might get an uncontested lead.
However, that didn’t happen, as Molly Ollys Wishes harassed him from the off.
Top Ville Ben always looked to be going slightly better, so when the other runners started to struggle, I began to feel quite optimistic.
Turning in, it was obvious that Top Ville Ben had also broken Molly Ollys Wishes - which only left Wholestone.
As he’d not run for 16 months, I was reasonably confident that fitness would catch him out in the closing stages.
Top Ville Ben seemed to have sealed the race with a good jump at the third last - but then Wholestone started to nibble into his lead.
I suspect that Top Ville Ben had just done a bit too much, too soon - and under a more patient ride, Wholestone managed to reel him in, after jumping the last.
It was another hugely disappointing race.
There have been 20 best bets so far this year - and whilst 10 of them have finished first or second, only 3 have won.
It was a similar situation before Christmas.
The luck/variance is killing us - but it shows no sign of abating !
In terms of the Matrix bets - then it was also a poor day for them - though they too, had no luck…
Regal Encore seemed likely to win at Ascot (traded at 1.5 IR) when taking up the running at the second last - but he didn’t get home in the rain softened ground.
I also sided with Larry in the same race - but he ran disappointingly.
In the following two races at Ascot, the ground also seemed to find out both Straw Fan Jack and Saint Calvados.
I had particularly high hopes of the latter - but he was very disappointing, suggesting that the issue with the Nicholls stable may not be completely resolved.
Finally, I sided with Time to Get up in the big race at Haydock - and he ran a huge race for a 20/1 shot. However having looked likely to win turning in, he emptied up the home straight…
So all in all, a disappointing/frustrating day.
Obviously they happen - and I know that I suggested some good bets.
However, I just wish that one or two more of them could find a way to come home in front !
Maybe it’ll happen next weekend…
TVB
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