Good morning all,
The sun is out, I've got a (virtually) free day to myself so I'm going to do the Nottingham double header today – Colwick Park for the dogs this morning and then the long 200-yard walk to the racecourse afterwards. Should be fun!
Today, a catch-up of the weekend's events and a couple of things that I've noticed. Hopefully we can put them to good use, maybe even later in the week, to try and make a few quid.
Sandown Park on Saturday was where I started the weekend with the final day of the jumps season taking place. It was great to see this season's top horses paraded beforehand, and it's only at that point you realise how small Buveur D'Air looks compared to “proper” chasers! I'm guessing he'll be sticking to hurdles again next year.
Top Notch was impressive enough in winning the Oaksey Chase and had no issue with the trip – I wonder whether connections will be tempted to try the King George next year? He looks the sort that could take to it. Altior was workmanlike again in winning the Celebration Chase – he seems to take longer to hit top gear these days but he's unstoppable when he hits it. Step Back looks another useful chaser for the Bradstocks to go to war with next year but he's had a 14lb rise for this win, which means he'll need to find more again. Nevertheless, he'll be one for something like the Ladbrokes Silver Trophy next year.
The one that caught the eye on the card was Wolf Of Windlesham, second in the closing handicap hurdle to the fast-improving Soul Emotion. I've always liked the Wolf and he may well be unlucky not to have a Greatwood Hurdle on his CV (fell two out when going well in the 2016 edition) – this effort after an absence shows he still has all his speed and if the ground continues to quicken up, there really should be good races to be won with him this summer.
Southwell provided the entertainment last night and whilst there's not a lot from the meeting I'd want to take forward – maybe Theydon Spirit from the novices at 6.20, has some scope about him, but not fit here and sticking to the far rail in the straight definitely didn't help his cause – there was a stiffish tailwind last night and I have no doubt it helped those on the front end. Look at the comments for the winners –
Feel The Wrath – tracked leader (Mimram was the leader, who finished second)
Cococabala – prominent, led 2f out
Zarjaz – made most, ridden 2f out, driven out
Treaty Of Rome – raced wide in touch, headway 2f out (second home Best Tamayuz led)
Captain Bob – disputed lead, led 2f out
Rashaan – raced wide, tracked leader
Arabian Oasis – made all, quickened 3f out.
Now it could just be these were the best horses on the night but it was near impossible to come off the back and anything that did so to get close may well have run better than the bare result. I'll be going through them this morning. Also, there's another meeting at Southwell on Thursday – it will be interesting to see how early results pan out, will it still be the case that being on the front is the way to be?
So, with no jumps racing for a few days you'll have to put up with a few Flat selections from me. You have been warned, it's not my specialist subject! Salt Whistle Bay looks the one to be with in the 3.45 at Yarmouth – he'll enjoy the rain-softened ground whereas quite a few of hs opponents won't (and we simply don't know about the favourite Rip Orff). Trip is fine and it's a case of whether he's ready to go first time up. If he is, he could simply be an improving sort that is a bit too good for these. He'll do for me.
Today's selection – Salt Whistle Bay 3.45 Yarmouth
Good luck with all your selections today,
David.