29/09/2011
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On September 29, 2011
We thought that we could beat the odds on the favourite Dunowen Point today. Trainer Anthony Honeyball thought everything was in our favour, as explained in the analysis. Gan On was proven at the trip and conditions were perfect whilst Dunowen point was a doubtful stayer.
We did indeed beat Dunowen Point but, unfortunately for us, Gan On was pulled up early in the race after suffering from a bleed. Everything was going fine early on; jumping was good and the horse was travelling well, but what happened just can’t be predicted. It was a kick in the nuts for both ourselves and connections.
Thankfully the horse is now ok although it was an anxious few hours after the race. I am 100% certain we would have won if not for the bleeding. Watching Dunowen Point tire inside the last furlong whilst the 20/1 outsider of four wins did nothing to brighten our day. I think it’s fair to say the race was called correctly; unfortunately there’s nothing we can do in situations like this.
13/01/2011
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On January 13, 2011
We had our first day of account bets this week which resulted in one winner and a loser. As a result we came out with a profit of a point and a half.
First up was Dunowen Point. We backed this horse at 5/2 and it went off at 7/4 favourite after receiving plenty of support in the betting. Despite been informed that he had schooled well, we were let down by his jumping. Dunowen Point was not making mistakes at the hurdles, but by playing is safe, jumping high and slow instead of low and fast we ended up losing a lot of momentum.
In fairness at three out he still looked the winner. The horse was going well, however when jumping two out on the worst type of ground he just got overtaken as a result of his sluggish jumping and as a result finished in third place.
We have put our faith in this horse twice now. On each occasion he looked like the winner when close to home only for us to do our money. I’m feeling a certain reluctance backing him in the future. No doubt as soon as we play it safe the horse will win. Dunowen Point is thought of as being a really nice horse but needs to mature to fulfil his potential next season.
There were no worries with our second account bet on Bishopfurze who won with any amount in hand, never off the bit. Last time out was just an anomaly and Bishopfurze looks well above average with a great deal of potential. It’s possible that he will not run at Cheltenham as I think he prefers a right-handed race at the flat courses.
15/10/2010
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On October 15, 2010
We got done on the line (again) after our selection, El Muqbil, traded at 1/40 on Betfair. El Muqbil looked like the winner from three out, bobbing along on-the-bit and hit the front inside the final furlong going a couple of lengths clear. The horse hung briefly once in front but allowed Argocat to get up back to us. We ended up been collared on the line with the rest of the field very much beaten.
Over the last six days all of our last three bets had the win stolen from them on the finish. Today’s selection was 2nd which follows the trend with Ayam Zainah (E/W @ 7/1, 2nd) and last weekend’s Dunowen Point 2nd who, again, traded at heavily odds-on. The difference between these three coming second and winning has cost us around 15 points profit. 15 points profit in a week is great by any standards and you can see our misfortune. All the selections are running very well whilst being heavily backed. We just need a tiny bit of luck on our side.
09/10/2010
0
On October 9, 2010
We placed two account bets yesterday. The first bet was a max bet on Domtaline at small odds. Domtaline won by 20 lengths and only had to jump round to win. There was never any danger.
The other bet we placed was on Dunowen Point who somehow finished second. After watching the race numerous times last night and again this morning I still have no idea how the horse failed to win. We backed Dunowen Point at 11/8 and it returned an SP of 4/5; probably the best backed all day.
Dunowen Point was in third position for the majority of the race; the commentator mentioned in running that the horse represented good value. When horses are travelling this well I don’t understand why jockeys don’t put the race to bed. Eventually the jockey asked the horse to go and Dunowen Point hit the front but did not put any real distance between him and the only other horse left in the race.
In the end we lost the race on the line. It looked like the horse lost concentration when leading but this sort of behaviour tends not to effect this yard. It is a common occurrence when horses idle when in front. In the end we finished second.
I have not touched base with connections as it felt a sensitive time to ring them yesterday. Dunowen Point was a heavy gamble and had support at all prices. Overall I feel disappointed despite the max bet winner. I still can’t get my head round how Dunowen Point did not win, but we have to move on.
