The final Saturday before Cheltenham, saw just one meeting of interest - at Sandown.
However, it was tough to find bets - with a couple of big field handicaps supplemented by 3 small field handicaps and a bumper.
There had been some overnight rain - but I didn’t expect it to have made much difference to the state of the ground.
However, I read that wrongly and the going rode much softer than I anticipated.
Not that soft ground should have been an issue for the only Best bet of the day…
I was quite keen on Current Mood - and felt that softer ground would be in her favour.
Her inexperience was slight concern, in such a competitive contest - but I thought that would be offset to an extent, by her racing prominently (which she had done in all of her recent races).
However, for reasons I could only guess at, Isabel Williams chose to hold her up, almost in last place - and she barely moved out of that position.
It was a baffling ride - and a baffling performance.
There have been a few lately and I’ve been at a loss to explain any of them.
Current Mood was strong in the betting - and it was a valuable prize.
There was literally no reason why she wouldn’t be ridden to try and win - but that seemed to be the case.
In addition to her, I saved on Lucky One for the Matrix - and he ran much better.
In fact, turning in, he appeared to have every chance - but couldn’t find anything up the home straight.
The race was won in speculator style, by Irish raider, Surprise Package.
He was a hard one to fancy on recent form - but absolutely bolted up.
Seeing him win so easily, made me (and plenty of others, no doubt !) wonder how things are going to work out at Cheltenham this week.
Based on this run, the Irish horses look to be streets ahead of the British ones…
The other bets on the day were all for the Matrix - and they had a mixed afternoon.
I suggested Dubrovnik Harry and Kingofthewest for the EBF final - and they both ran fair races.
Dubrovnik Harry managed to grab third place behind Complete Unknown, who was another that was hard to find in the form book.
In the bumper, I sided with Hidden Beauty and Flirtatious Girl against 2 very strong markets leaders.
However, neither put up much of a show - as second favourite Luccia, come home unchallenged.
The one bright note on the afternoon, was provided by Killer Kane in the novice handicap chase.
I thought that the race might be run to suit him - and that’s exactly how it panned out.
He took up the running after the second last - and despite veering all over the place on the run in, was far enough ahead of the runner up, for the stewards to decide that it didn’t affect the result.
3 non runners completely messed up the following handicap chase - turning it into a race that I wish I’d swerved.
Neither the softening ground or having to make the running, would have helped Ofalltheginjoints.
He led to the third last - but then fell in a hole and was pulled up.
Deyrann de Carjac was another who wouldn’t have been helped by the very soft ground.
He needs it quick and I suspect the only reason he wasn’t withdrawn, was because Alan King wanted to get him qualified for the series final.
In the circumstances, he ran well to finish third - and will very much be one to look out for at Haydock in May - assuming he gets decent ground.
So that was that - until Tuesday..!
TVB.
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