York Day 1

The first day of York started in horrific circumstances with a complete first race blow out, even though I’d managed to back my horses each way with 5 places up for grabs. This seems to be a familiar theme for me this year at the big meetings, the ritual first race blow out. It’s really deflating, but you have to keep telling yourself that its only the first battle of a war, and that results aren’t set by the first race of 24.

 

Not much success in either race 2 or 3, but race 4, the Juddmonte turned things around a bit, as my tipsters had a second and a third, Highland Reel for Bet Alchemist, and the unlucky Mutakayyef for Ben Linfoot, whilst I myself couldn’t resist having a sizable bet on the brilliant Postponed having seen it had drifted out to 9/4. It was a fantastic race, for me, and as a spectacle just so good, with Postponed looking like an absolute class act as he cruised through the race. I’d go in heavy for Postponed for the Arc, but fear that he wouldn’t be suited by the likely soft Autumn ground in France.

 

The stayers race, was a case of what could have been as Nakeeta tipped by Ben Linfoot and Northern Monkey, cruised into a decent lead (Probably took it up too early) before being outstayed by Oceane. I was on each way, but a win would have ensure a profitable day for me. As it was, this race was a loser for me. The margins are just so fine between winning and losing.

 

The last race of the day was good for me and was well needed. I had only one tipped horse, an each way bet from Horse Trader, Nautical Heaven(faded out of it), but decided on the hoof, to back the Paul Jones selections which were The Waggon Wheel and the 50/1 long shot Masham Star. Well, what a result, as The Waggon Wheel toughed it out to win at 13/2, and Masham Star finished like a train to land each way bets. I’ll be backing and recording the results of the Paul Jones horses for the rest of the meeting now.

 

There were a few evening bets, and a win by Dommerson, tipped up by Northern Monkey meant that I finished the day in a relatively positive frame of mind.

 

I think overall, probably due to the first race and the poor performance of Bet Alchemist and Horse Trader that I was slightly down on the day. But if Nakeeta had won, it would have been a great day. I will provide an overview of York once the week has finished.

 

Steven Ashton