Having gone through the cards there really is nothing that I'm that interested in betting on today. I have been busy watching and betting especially at Cheltenham and Punchestown over the weekend. The Cheltenham November meeting is one of my favourite meetings and it was another 3 days of really good racing.
Prior to the meeting I had been reading an article produced by Racing TV where they identified 5 horses that they felt had very strong chances of winning over the 3 day meeting
https://www.racingtv.com/news/five-horses-to-look-out-for-at-the-november-meeting-at-cheltenham-this-week The five they featured were
EASYSLAND, HELL RED, SLATE HOUSE,
DEFI DU SEUIL and ELLE EST BELLE
I had a good look at these selections and these were my thoughts and what I decided on the following:
EASYLAND – Should win if reproducing the effort from the Cheltenham Festival but the price was too restrictive and Tiger Roll could be anything. No Bet.
HELL RED – The visual of his win was impressive but the speed figures produced simply didn’t look as impressive and at a short price I thought he was one to take on. I was more of the opinion that
Duffle Coat would win this. The speed figures were good and he has some decent form and that was my bet in the race. I’m pleased to say that the trip over from Ireland was worth it as it was a winning bet.
SLATE HOUSE – Looking in full control and the most likely winner of the race in the previous year. He then failed to deliver when stepped up and the Tizzard yard haven’t been on song. I thought
Al Dancer had very good chance of winning this at a decent price and would certainly get in the top five which was what the E/W was paying. He finished 3rd which paid out but I don’t think he could have won the race he was beaten by better horses on the day.
DEFI DU SEUIL – This was one of my banker bets going into the Cheltenham festival last year for obvious reason. Unfortunately, he under performed and finished out of the frame.
PUT THE KETTLE ON had won the Arkle and also had very good Cheltenham form and a huge mares allowance for me at the prices I thought it was a reasonable bet and thankfully she won, I believe DEFI DU SEUIL blew his chances when ballooning the first fence and landing funny on one of his front legs. He was pulled up before the last.
ELLE EST BELLE – This was the one that I was really interested in having seen her win her bumper in the style of a really good one. The speed figures backed up my thoughts. She finished deadheat 1st but if you watched the race and saw the photo finish you will be of the same opinion that really she just got touched off and thankfully the poor lighting meant I made a bit of money.
Ones for the Notebook
I was very taken with a few performances this weekend. I was made to sweat with PUT THE KETTLE ON thankfully she won and I got paid out. Paul Nichols horse
DUC DES GENIEVRES ran a huge race and based on that performance he is going to be up to winning some top class races this year.
I also really liked the performance of
THE BIG BREAKAWAY in his debut Chase race. His jumping was very good and he looked like he has a very good engine and will certainly be winning more 3M Chase races.
Both
Ramses De Teillee and
Yala Enki need a mention as I thought they both ran fantastic races jump well and battling right to the line.I can see them picking up a few wins this season based on the performance.
I was impressed with
Eldorado Allen winning performance especially as he was carrying my money. I must admit I was sweating a bit as
GUMBALL was running a huge race until tipping up at the last and he has gone into my tracker.
COOLE CODY put in a fantastic performance leading from the start to the finish. I was waiting throughout for him to blow up and tail off but full credit to him he ran his heart out and won. He is straight into the tracker as a horse with battling qualities and a huge heart.I also liked the way that
Kauto Riko finished up the hill in the
Paddy Power Gold Cup
I have to mention
Ishkhara Lady she ran a blinder and in my opinion actually did enough to win the race. Thankfully the stewards bottle it due to bad light. She should be winning again soon.
Protektorat was impressive and has gone into the tracker as he should be winning Novice Chases.
At Punchestown I was impressed with
Pencilfulloflead who looks to be a progressive Novice Chaser, He jumped really well beating Latest Exhibition in a Grade 2 race.
Asterion Forlonge another who looked impressive although he did make a bit of a hash of two out and ended up on his nose. He gathered himself and went on to win comfortably and looks to have a bright future over fences.