It all felt a bit flat and predictable watching from the TV at Cheltenham yesterday and that seemed to be the general vibe. Good to win The Ultima and great to see one of the underrated jockey's in David Bass get a moment in the spotlight. Terrible to see the sad fate that befell the Fergal O'Brien yard with Highland Hunter, one of the sports good guys and thoughts with them. Ose Partir also lost his life and thoughts with all connections there too. 

 

Overall day one is always the one we like to get over hopefully with a winner, day 2 is always day of the pointless XC Chase (needs to be a Handicap race again) and the banal NHFlat race, thankfully Days 3 and 4 , on the New Course, often provide more excitement and bigger priced winners.

 

We do though have the CORAL CUP at 2.50 and the Grand Annual at 4.50 to attack. We wit to hear if the XCountry will take place as the Course is waterlogged, hopefully they won't turn it in to 3 times round the normal Course and a splosh across the middle, if it doesn't take place they'll have an hour to fill but I suspect that will make the NHFlat race a Placepot / Jackpot race, so worth a look in terms of the selections if that's the case.