A SHOCKER OF A MONTH

Ben Morgan hopes the new year will see his luck changing on the punting front

- Ben Morgan

In recent seasons I don’t mind admitting my interest in punting horses at this time of the year has waned. I enter the National Hunt season with a great deal of false optimism, I’ve usually had a good Flat campaign and I get a little over excited seeing some of last year’s novices entered up. But what I seem to forget is the horses I back have to jump the obstacles in front of them.

Last month you may recall I had a bit of a stinking time with horses falling when going well, a patch of form which I seem to endure every season. There is no rhyme or reason to it, it just happens.

So after looking at my stats I decided I was going to hold back a bit and wait for the New Year/Spring where statistically my profit improves.

I began the month getting mugged of a victory in the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock. I was on Third Wind (£10 e/w at 11-2) and young Jonjo O’Neill Jr had given it a peach of a ride until about two out when nothing else could tow him into the race and he had no choice but to kick on.

It’s a long way home at Haydock and the strong staying Main Fact was coming home at a fair rate of knots and it was pretty clear what was going to happen. Third Wind got mugged in the final 100 yards and I was left collecting 2nd place returns.

I had long been waiting for Henry Oliver’s Generous Day (£15 e/w at 16-1) to reappear and he eventually did in the same race he won at Kempton last year. He absolutely hosed up last year beating a good field, a better field than he was facing this year. Off a 1lb lower mark, I made him a certainty to run well.

He did just that...until they turned in and he went out like a light. He was last off the bridle but first beat. Answers on a postcard please.