It was only last month when I was bemoaning my luck when it comes to final flight fallers as it felt like I only ever suffered from them and very rarely benefited from such an event. I'll leave it to the mathematicians to work out what the chances should be for suffering/benefiting from such a situation but it certainly felt like the percentages weren't working in my favour.
This was until Homme Public gained victory in a weak Arkle Trial at the expense of JPR One at Cheltenham's Paddy Power meeting. A £10 each way wager at 6/1 was merely a skeptical punt and I was happy enough with the place money which it looked like I was booked for. JPR One then hit the deck at the back of the last which left Henry Brooke in front aboard Oliver Greennall's charge and he just about held off a late rattle from Petit Tonnerre to bring home a welcome profit.
I headed into the weekend surprisingly in front and was keen to add to that in the opener as I was confident Burdett Road was the superior juvenile but opened up at 11/4. I placed a £20 win bet which looking back was a bit conservative but I'm not one to get carried away with juveniles usually. Harry Cobden couldn't have had any money on (as he shouldn't) because if he did he would have surely have put the race to bed a lot earlier than he did. Sat way off the leaders turning for home I was close to shouting a tirade of abuse at my TV screen as he gave James Owen's Royal Ascot winner plenty to do but as the TV angle switched it looked like he was making serious gains. He was indeed doing just that and ended up powering up the hill hard on the bridle to win easily.
It was just as well I built up some tidy profit before the big race of the weekend as The Real Whacker (£20 e/w at 8/1) ended up being a big disappointment in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. He faded very quickly and it was no surprise to hear he was struck into as he stopped too quickly for it to be tiredness alone.
Denne historien er fra January 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra January 2024-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
LOOKING BRIGHT FOR IRISH STARS
Karl Hedley reports as jumps challengers pile on the heat across the water
WELL SET TO STEP AHEAD
Ben Morgan has ten warming prospects to follow in the coming weeks
CUE FOR MANY A CELEBRATION
Graham Buddry recalls the life and times of jumps legend Cue Card
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
TWISTER RUNS MASTER CLASS
John Anthony watches Nigel Twiston-Davies' star catch time judges' eye
NO LEAVES ON LINE TO SLOW THESE FLYERS
Simon Nott enjoys a West Country Weekend catching up with ring pals
EXPECTATIONS SOAR AT RIDGE
Nick Townsend talks to rising Newmarket training star James Owen
KID KAN DOO FOR NICHOLLS
Paul Jacobs casts a close eye over leading picks for this month's big races
NORMA'S COLOURS ARE FLYING PROUD
Robert Cooper sees Percy Willis and Kaadam grace white and green spots and red cap
CHIANTI FLOWS AS NEW LION GROWLS
Prior to the National Hunt season 'proper' getting underway at Chepstow the question on many people's lips was whether or not Willie Mullins would target a second consecutive British trainers' title.
