12/11/2011
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On November 12, 2011
We started the day by advising a bet on Universal Soldier for 3 points win at 15/8 after learning the horse had been setup to win on its first time out.
The horse was a most unlucky loser and would have won comfortably if not for that one mistake on landing that forced us to a complete standstill during the race. We were hacking along in second place at the time; all was going well when jumping the 10th; we’re pretty sure this is where the mishap happened. Universal Soldier must have lost the best part of ten lengths whilst the jockey Harry Skelton did really well to staying on top.
Normally it would be race over if the above happened but Harry did a great job; giving the horse time to recover and throwing everything at him to get back into contention. We came back through the field into second but the eventual winner got a good 15 lengths ahead. Jumping the last we closed the gap to around 4 lengths. We were still closing all the time and ended up being beaten by a length or so. We were still able to finish well clear of third. Another three strides would have grabbed it.
We would have won and landed the spoils if not for the one blip but you need that bit of luck at times. Connections backed the horse heavily from 11/4 in the morning into 6/4 at the off. It was just a case of needing the right race plotted up but we left the money behind.
Our second bet was on Mon Parrain who didn’t travel a yard. No idea what happened but something went completely wrong. I won’t speculate at the moment but no doubt something will come to light later this evening. This horse was the next big hope from the Nicholls yard so it was a terribly disappointing run.
I also have to mention The Giant Bolster who fell at the first. This is really bad for David Bridgewater who is such a sound guy and has tried everything with this horse. Yogi Bresner has been working with him for the last two months but it looks like he just can’t jump a fence. I would question the decision to put Tom Scu on top; he can talk a great game but in my opinion is a poor jockey.
In other news, Noble Alan came down when cantering. He must be one of the most unlucky horses in racing. This is now the third time this has happened in big races with a substantial winning fund.
Zero luck for us today, so hopefully things will be put right tomorrow.
20/11/2010
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On November 20, 2010
Good news about Rebel Rebellion who is fine after his run yesterday. I hope that this will be a one-off. It has also been reported that the horse choked. It is a pity our winning sequence came to an end on a horse had significant potential in this race. The below is take from the Racing Post:
Former Irish point winner Rebel Rebellion won his bumper on Southwell’s Fibresand last term and showed useful form behind the promising Megastar either side of that success. Very well backed on this hurdling debut and first outing for Paul Nicholls, things looked good for his supporters as he effortlessly made up ground near the seventh flight. However, as soon as he was asked for an effort shortly after, it was clear he was in trouble and surely something went amiss.
It mentions Noble Alan who was given a poor ride. The horse travelled with ease and looked the winner some way from home. At two out the jockey gave Noble Alan no sight of the fence as he tried to come between two horses. This resulted in an error and we lost momentum from there on in. Despite this the horse did manage to grab 3rd place and I am sure a big prize can be won by this horse.
10/12/2009
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On December 10, 2009
I was disappointed today with Noble Alan. We met an improving horse and had to give away a stone in weight never-the-less this horse is thought of been Cheltenham material. I appeared that the jockey gave him a bit to do. He was cantering round the course giving the leader (and winner) at least ten lengths. The horse only made a move at two out where the horse quickly made up the ground but no doubt used up too much energy in the process. After going neck and neck over the last we were just beaten to first place.
Off level weights Noble Alan would have won easily but I do think this horse should have won this race. Below are the comments from the Racing Post:
Noble Alan took an early fall on his previous outing at Aintree and that showed as he wasn’t fluent early on here. Being ridden on the inside may not have helped on that front, though, and he got better as the race went on. He was produced with his chance in the home straight and looked a big threat to the winner, but his response when asked for maximum effort was only one paced. He was conceding plenty of weight to an improving mare and shouldn’t be judged too harshly, but he doesn’t look like being one for the faint-hearted over fences this term.
24/10/2009 & 25/10/2009
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On October 25, 2009
Today’s bet Stormy Weather was beaten by a whisker but it should have won and won easily. Jumping the last the horse was trading at 1.09 that is around 1/11.Stormy Weather was backed all day long, our contact was at the track and the word was it would win. The reason it lost was purely down to the jockey Mr O’Regan. He gave it a shocker and as a result came into a lot of stick on the long way back to the paddock where the trainer was not at all happy with him. The horse was on the bridle until two out but came back on. Just before jumping the last it looked as if the jockey just had to press the button but he allowed the horse to jump very slow and land flat footed. Losing few lengths but on the run in was closing with every stride and one more would of done it. Please see below comments from Racing Post.
Stormy Weather, placed at Listed level when trained in France, finished third in a decent 3yo 1m4f handicap at Haydock on his sole Flat start for current connections and this looked a perfect starting point for him as a hurdler. He was untidy at the last down the far side and came under pressure soon after three out, but was making inroads and wasn’t far off being level with the winner when allowed to slow right into the last, which ultimately cost him the race. Compensation awaits and perhaps a more positive ride in future may help.
Good write up and like it says quite simply the jockey cost us this one very disappointing.
Saturday’s just info bets included the 25/1 gamble which was landed, Vinnies Friend winning very easily, huge touch landed by the pro punter. Point Out and Best Oscar both finished 2nd.
Has Paul Nicholls yard got a problem? From what I saw of the weekend racing, yes. His horses travelled lovely but just stopped and I can’t believe for a minute they are not fit. When horses stop like that something is clearly wrong. Alfie Sherrin is the best young horse in his yard, looked the winner jumping the last. The horse cruised round on the bit but just stopped dead, backed as if defeat was out of the question. This was not the horses running and I will be looking at the yards runners in the next few days with great interest.
Noble Alan fell at the 3rd. It was a poor race and he only had to jump round to win but made an error under AP and came down. Nothing we can do about that.
St Nicholas Abbey look’s very special indeed. We were told the bet would be like finding money in the street and it was. To win that race the way it did was quite simply unreal. What a prospect he looks and surely will remain unbeatable.
So all in all bit of a disappointing weekend with a faller and a very poor effort from the jockey stopping us collecting a few quid. But we have had a good start to the jumps so I’m not too disheartened by giving a bit back this weekend.
