Review of the weekend (Feb 5th-6th)

There was a glut of racing over the weekend - arguably too much !

The high-light was the Dublin Racing festival - supplemented by a 2 day Cheltenham trials meeting from Musselburgh - and a couple of decent meetings, from Sandown and Wetherby...

However the large volume of races, didn’t result in a large volume of bets, as decent betting opportunities were hard to spot…


Saturday

Despite 14 races being shown on TV, I could only find a couple of Best bets.

There first of them was Bun Doran, who he ran in the first televised race of the day.

My angle with him, was that he was in good form - and weighed to run favourite Gunsight Ridge, very close.
I also thought he might get an uncontested lead - and over Sandowns challenging course, I figured that could prove decisive.

Unfortunately however, that’s not how it worked out…

Rather than sit in behind, Gunsight Ridge took on Bun Doran for the lead.
It was soon obvious that the pair were going too quickly - and it was going to play into the hands of one of their more patiently ridden rivals.

Bun Doran was beaten jumping the third last - and whilst Gunsight Ridge lasted a little longer, he had merely helped set up the race for Dolos and Frero Banbou.

It’s frustrating when races don’t play out as you expect - but it happens…

Beauport was the other Best bet on the day - in the feature handicap hurdle.

It was a very competitive race - but I felt that Beauport could have a fair bit in hand of his mark - and was likely to appreciate the step up to 3 miles.

And I was right…

He travelled really strongly though the race - and looked to have it won, when laying down his challenge at the second last.

However, he slightly fluffed his jump - and it was a similar story at the last.
The leader, Green Book then hung in front of him - and although Beauport switched and finished strongly, he couldn’t quite get to past.

It was really frustrating (again !), as I’m pretty sure that Beauport was the best horse in the race.

The only consolation was that I had covered Green Book for the Matrix (along with If the Cap Fits and Born Patriot).

There were a few other Matrix bets on the day - as I attempted to find some bets to help justify all of the studying !

Calipso Collonge was the first of them at Musselburgh - and he ran a fair race, but could only finish third behind Glen Forsa and Cool Mix.
Also at Musselburgh, I dutched Captain Cattistock and Mighty Thunder in the Edinburgh National, against a couple of suspect looking market leaders.
And thankfully Captain Cattistock narrowly managed to justify support, just holding on in a driving finish.
At Sandown, I sided with Linelee King, in a tight looking handicap chase.
However, he struggled with the Sandown fences and was eventually pulled up.
Finally, at Leopardstown , I took a chance on Janidil in the Irish Gold cup - and whilst he ran well to finish third, he never looked like reeling in shock winner, Conflated.
The final Matrix bet on the day, was a Wave of the Sea - and he showed a good attitude to to repeat his DRF win of last season.

So, 3 wins for the Matrix (from 9 bets) - and another unlucky runner up for the Best bets.
It feels like the recurring story of the season…


Sunday

A host of of odds on favourites - and a couple of impossible looking handicaps, dissuaded my from getting heavily involved in day 2 of the DRF.
Whilst it was a lack of quality (plus some fatigue !) that put me off Musselburgh.

As a consequence, there were no Best bets on the day - and just a few for the Matrix.

And in truth, it was probably a good shout, as all 4 odds on favs won at Leopardstown - along with a favourite in one of the handicaps (which I would have been with, if the price hadn’t been completely shot !)

In terms of the Matrix bets that I did suggest:
Fury Roads chance went, when he made a bad mistake at the fourth last - though whether he would have ever beaten Galopin des Champs, is a different matter.
Whilst Cask Mate and Inn from the Cold both travelled strongly to the home turn in the handicap hurdle - but then weakened out of things.
As Musselburgh, Coastal Drift was a big disappointment in the Pertemps qualifier, as he was beaten before the home straight.
However, Cedar Hill managed to save the day for the Matrix, with a comfortable win in the handicap chase.

And that was that !

There was precious little to report, on a day that was very much one for watching, rather than betting….

TVB.