What a thrilling race for the Melbourne Cup! Obviously I am disappointed that Dandino finished fifth as fourth would have given me a place return on my 33-1 investment but Simenon (4th 25-1 ante-post) and Fiorente (1st 15-2 advised) more than made up for it.
I must admit that I felt Ryan Moore gave Dandino an awful lot of ground to make up in the straight. I had hoped that he would have kept closer to the pace, especially having received a favourable draw. Connections seem happy in the opinion that he did not stay the trip so I guess we shall not be seeing him return next year.
We are back to more mundane matters in the UK as the flat season fizzles to a close this weekend. I had hoped to find a bet in the November Handicap on Saturday but John Gosden has left me in a quandary by declaring three. Thomas Hobson did us a favour recently and loves the soft ground but he also has York winner Lahaag and top weight Aiken. Having had my fingers burnt on a couple of occasions already this season by Mr Gosden’s running plans I will keep my powder dry for the moment.
There is an interesting little race at Nottingham tomorrow with good recent winners Breton Rock and Graphic set to clash over a mile. I backed Graphic each-way in the Cambridgeshire and he ran a cracker to finish fourth and then landed some nice bets on his most recent outing. Breton Rock landed the apprentice handicap at the end of the Champions day card and is something of a seven furlong specialist. All of his best form has come over that trip and in big fields which raises some interesting questions for tomorrow.
Beaumont’s Party looks best of the other three after finishing second at Newbury but the Graphic looks to be the one to be on. My only concern is the ground because he has not won on anything softer than good. Presumably William Haggas believes that he can handle a softer surface and he looks the value bet at 9-4.
Over the jumps, I am going to give Balder Succes the opportunity to make up for his unlucky Cheltenham fall in the 2.20. Trainer Alan King reported that the horse simply didn’t see the fence as he was blinded by the sun and he would certainly have won otherwise. This is a hot little race and I fear Claret Cloak most of the others but Balder Succes had the better form over hurdles and can make his class tell.
Graphic 9-4 William Hill, Bet365
Balder Succes
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
