Any winning day is a good day. I wasn’t happy with my decisions on Friday. Much happier on Saturday. Bertinelli won the ultra-competitive Gold Cup Heritage Handicap and makes it a profitable day.
He travelled well, though it took him a while to hit top gear and he grinded it out more than it was a flashy victory. He was probably a bit fortunate as well due to the misfortune of others in the race.
No complaints. The 13/2 and bits do for me on a day where the rest didn’t deliver, yet I can’t fault the selections and decision-making process.
Not sure what happened to Waseen. He was well-backed, but never seemed to be happy in his race and was beaten before it got hot in the race. Gullane One fell away quickly as well.
Mobashr was a huge drifter, out to 25/1 SP (44 BSP), but looked briefly threatening on the outside over 1 furlong out, before falling away.
Ultimately, it was a good week, no matter what. Three winners. A green month looks a given now, which is the most important thing.
One for tomorrow, bit earlier ready to post than usual. Full stake on. And I’m off to London for a quick day trip…
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5.25 Ripon: Class 6 Handicap, 6f
As he drops down in class and may enjoy the decent ground over the straight 6 furlongs, Hardy Angel looks a rather big price as he was inexplicably dropped a pound by the handicapper as well for his last effort, that saw him finish a strong 3rd at Pontefract.
That day he overcame the widest draw quickly to move forward and press the lead all the way. He raced wide and without cover throughout.
He never seem to travel overly well, but he had to give ground away and fought hard to stay toward the front of the race. He hit the front with less than two furlongs to go, although, in truth, was already a tired horse at that point.
Eventually he was passed for good by two horses that were ridden with more restraint. It also was reported afterwards that the saddle slipped in the closing stages.
Winner and runner-up have given the form strong merit in the meantime, with their subsequent performances.
Clearly, Hardy Angel improved from his first seasonal outing, and especially for the better ground. Off a 64 mark he looks well capable to win a race of this nature. This is much easier, even though some of the lightly raced rivals are difficult to assess properly at this stage.
10pts win – Hardy Angel @ 13/2
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