John Durkan 2014

[thehorsesmouth]

Best odds:
Don Cossack 6/4
Boston Bob 7/4
First Lieutenant 10/1
Texas Jack 10/1
Lord Windermere 12/1
Alderwood 20/1
Baily Green 20/1
Rubi Light 33/1
Rathlin 50/1

I’ve backed Texas Jack each way at 10/1 with Betfair Sportsbook, who are paying three places each way. There have been very poor turnouts for this in the past and it could cut up again. Meade commented last season that he should have ran him in this race so I expect he’ll be declared to run. This trip looks his ideal and on form he has the beatings of a lot of these. He was very closely matched with Boston Bob as a novice and Don Cossack remains something of an enigma, even though his victory last time out made me something of a believer in The Don for the first time.

[stevecaution]

I was looking at Don Cossack earlier in the week but when I checked back later his odds had shortened. I expected he would go off about even money today because I felt Boston Bob was disappointing last time behind Road To Riches and Rocky Creek.

I was surprised to see Boston Bob the one for money today, as he went off 11/10 favourite with Don Cossack 13/8.

Bob got Done By Don as the younger horse won by 4 and 1/2 lengths sending his supporters into a hasty rendition of the Sabre Dance in celebration as there was no Boston Tea Party on this occasion.

Lord Windermere ran well enough in third but I’ll be against him when he lines up to try to defend his Gold Cup crown next March.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[thehorsesmouth]

I thought I was in a nice position on Texas Jack with ante post terms paying three places, but with the two early fallers he was left ina clear second with a lot of daylight around him. He’s best held up for a late run so this didn’t suit imo, although he ran well for a long way, just tiring after the last. Boston Bob was the worst hampered by the fallers and he’s a horse who needs everything to fall right for him so I wouldn’t judge him too harshly on this running.

[stevecaution]

I thought I was in a nice position on Texas Jack with ante post terms paying three places, but with the two early fallers he was left ina clear second with a lot of daylight around him. He’s best held up for a late run so this didn’t suit imo, although he ran well for a long way, just tiring after the last. Boston Bob was the worst hampered by the fallers and he’s a horse who needs everything to fall right for him so I wouldn’t judge him too harshly on this running.

I’m just a bit concerned that Boston Bob might become one of these beaten favourites that needs excuses trotted out for him. He may bounce back but I’d be wary of taking short odds on him.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[SirHarryLewis]

Was there today. Don Cossack has probably improved this year. He looks a fine horse and it will be interesting to see him over further. Boston Bob has few excuses really. Texas Jack ran well but Lord Windemere was the eye catcher and this was much better than he was capable of this time last year. There is no way I would ever lay him at Cheltenham and he is already a repeat offender.

Todays hard to miss bet was probably Mala Beach. I laid Un Atout at 1.7 last night on Betfair. Why a price on a horse that hasn’t been seen in 20 months against an opponent who was rated closely with him over hurdles but who had acquitted himself already over the bigger obstacles. Even a mug like myself wouldnt fall for that. Must have been doing great things at home.

SHL

[thehorsesmouth]

I thought I was in a nice position on Texas Jack with ante post terms paying three places, but with the two early fallers he was left ina clear second with a lot of daylight around him. He’s best held up for a late run so this didn’t suit imo, although he ran well for a long way, just tiring after the last. Boston Bob was the worst hampered by the fallers and he’s a horse who needs everything to fall right for him so I wouldn’t judge him too harshly on this running.

I’m just a bit concerned that Boston Bob might become one of these beaten favourites that needs excuses trotted out for him. He may bounce back but I’d be wary of taking short odds on him.

I thought he was too short yesterday, couldn’t understand why he was so much shorter than Texas Jack. Last season he improved as the season went on and his Down Royal run was so bad that he would have needed to come on an awful lot to win yesterday. I think 2m 4f is fine for him so I wouldn’t use the trip as an excuse. Maybe I’m bias as he was very good to me last season but I’d rather take 13/2 Boston Bob than 6/1 (as short as 9/2) about Don Cossack for the Lexus.

[stevecaution]

Todays hard to miss bet was probably Mala Beach. I laid Un Atout at 1.7 last night on Betfair. Why a price on a horse that hasn’t been seen in 20 months against an opponent who was rated closely with him over hurdles but who had acquitted himself already over the bigger obstacles. Even a mug like myself wouldnt fall for that. Must have been doing great things at home.

I was put off by the trip for Un Atout. It seemed odd to start a Supreme Novices horse at 2 miles 6 furlongs. I had backed him when he ran in the Supreme and was a wee bit disappointed with him. I was a little surprised he was odds on, when all factors were considered.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

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