Caspian Caviar Gold Cup 2014

Kicking myself for not backing Niceonefrankie. Second top rated in Timeform, just a pound behind the second horse and only two pounds behind the third. Yes, their top rated three came in the first three! Niceonefrankie showed he was better than ever last time, when winning the same Ascot race as 12 months ago; when didn’t do anything afterwards. So looked a good chance he was best fresh and/or on a flatish track (possibly wasn’t going to show his form here). However, Venittia lost her form badly until January last term, so there was a possible excuse for losing form. Her December form this season is better if not spectacular. Therefore (I know it’s in hindsight but) with prominent racers so far seemingly favoured at this meeting (difficult to make ground up) should have had the winner considering its price. Backed second and third.

Quite a few disappointed in this race and I wouldn’t have picked Nice One Frankie if I’d had six picks at my disposal.

Hard lines to Barakilla fans, he was backed steadily through the week and more money went on today. It’s always a bit galling when the fancied ones don’t figure and a relative outsider does you out of your dough. It was a kick in the teeth for me to see this fellow go close, yet see No Buts (who was closely tied in with him based on their runs behind Sound Investment) come to grief when starting to struggle.

It’s a funny old game as Jimmy Greaves used to say.