Not at all disappointed today. It was a low outlay, for a Saturday, with reason and the horses that I expected to run well, did.
Saint Segal was superb. Sunset Marqueisa was on the floor before we we’re able to see how good she was and I fully expected Newyorkstateofmind to be poor, he was simply worth a bet at the prices but was clearly there for fitness. Neon Moon ran a decent race but not good enough.
Two Sunday.
2.45 Carlisle GRAIN DOUDAIRIES 15/2 0.75pt ew
3.55 Carlisle INDIAN LOUIS 13/2 1pt win
0.5pt Each Way Double
GRAIN DOUDAIRIES was a very easy winner, off 4lb lower, at Doncaster just three starts ago, off a mark of 117, on good ground. Sent off a warm order 5/2jt fav to back that up next time out, he was cantering with one other until 4 out when he had a really bad fall. Obviously, it’s impossible to say he’d have won that race, rated 123, but he was in with every chance and the race was eventually won by a horse called Myretown, rated 121 that day. That winner won soon after off 123, before winning the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival by 11 lengths off a mark of 127, and is now rated 142. The selection gave him 2lb on that occasion. I’m happy to ignore his last run, when a poor 6th at Musselburgh last time out, it looked very much like a run to get some confidence back into him and to ensure he qualified for this final. He’s had a 49 day break between runs and comes here a fresh horse, having presumably had plenty of schooling too. That’s significant because his record fresh reads 31213 and he’s 2lb lower here than when he fell. The yards horses are flying at the moment and Brian Hughes, who has ridden this horse for 3 of his 4 wins, is booked.
Lucinda Russell won this race 4 years ago and had one lose on a photo last year, so INDIAN LOUIS was always going to be of interest for this final, following an eye-catching run in a qualifier last time out. He finished 2nd on that occasion, but looked for all the world he would win with ease, until he tired in the final furlong, over a 2m 4f trip, bumping into a horse that was unbeaten over C&D. A less attacking ride here will be perfect for this strong traveller and the ground looks ideal too. With the 5lb weight swing for his defeat to Hello Judge, in our favour, and the yard in such good form, I’m hoping he can come out on top here. The horse I am concerned about is HALF SHOT who looks to have been laid out for this for Iain Jardine. It was only the fact that the Jardine yard are struggling for winners, and have never had a winning chaser at Carlisle, which swung the weight in the favour of Lucinda’s runner.