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Week 3 is not over yet and 15 of my 30 horses are now race winners which is way beyond any expectations. I'd still have Josh as the odds on fav for the tittle though.
I would make you fav personally, think you rightly identified that your flat team was likely about as good as it was going to get and that others had reached the same zenith but that on the hunt only really myself had pushed those boundaries. I think you have more than closed the gap on evidence this season, Darren has done much the same so the jump advantage I had last season has been chipped away. Your flat team are still just a little better and your jumps team as good, with advantages in that your better in the safer races so the 2m hurdles, where I have yet to win a race, my top horses are mostly in the longer and chase races where falls and pull ups nobble me. It will be a close run thing, but I think you will sneak it unless John just comes along and beats us both
Anyho to round out the week:
Day Two:
FLAT
Rocket Man - 2nd - Only time I have ever really had a shot at this race, so rather miffed I just missed out. Ran ok though I would have rather seen him take it up from the off instead of giving in to stable mate 'Race From The Storm' and drifting, let Vince get the first run at it and could not reel him it. Bugger.
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Race From The Storm - 11th - Faded after front running something he never does, wtf the racekit does at times is beyond me, likely buggered his stable mate in the process.
The Radiance of Pigs - 7th - Never really got into it, my main 5f horse beaten by one I rate as worse on trial form.
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Welcome To Tombstone - 3rd - Ran oddly but not a 5f horse so no real complaints other than him beating his 5f specialist stable mate 'Radiance of Pigs'
The Red Devil - 2nd - Ran well enough, my horses just love to come 2nd this season.
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Night And Day - 6th - Never really looked like she was going to challenge, had expected a little more from her.
Racketeering - 6th - Candidate for the cut, really needs to get into the handicaps which is about his level.
Wait Your Turn - 1st - Ran a blinder and gets his first win of this come back season. Ultra competitive 2m horses this term.
JUMP
The Extreme - 12th - Ran wide and struggled before fading away, never really presented a challenge. Bit of a head scratcher this horse, based on the latest trial no longer even makes the team, not sure what to make of her now.
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Unforgiven Power - 11th - One of my hurdlers getting a mark, still managed to beat what thought was my best 2m chaser........
The Fourth Phase - 1st - Ran a fine race from start to finish, my 2.4m hurdlers are looking like they are in top form this season.
Sins To Forgive - 4th - Got himself stuck on the rail, ran on well when he got a break, not having the rub of the green right now.
Battle Of The Woodland - Fell - Ran a solid race, ideally placed before making an uncharacteristic error.
No Such Thing As Perfect - 4th - Another who looks a lot worse on my latest set of 2m chase trials, ran another decent race but a long away adrift from the winner, weight did not aid.
Time To Play The Game - 4th - Run style makes me thinks she should stick to the bumpers from here. Ran a reasonable race but always outpaced.
Battle Of Trafalgar - Fell - Did not even make it passed the first fence..............
Eights The Fences - 2nd - Ran well but lost the battle of the stablemates and will potentially face the cut in week 5 as I have a new monster 3m hurdler to unleash.
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Your World Within - 1st - Where have you been so far this season, finally a horse I recognise from trials. Did it all right today.
Pray For Your Queen - 2nd - Still probably a little short for her, but she is screwing up her National prospects but repeatedly getting places and not giving me any in the wins, silly mare.
Pray For Another Day - Fell - Looked asleep for most of the race, could be a little too far. No chance really before falling.
Final Day
FLAT
The Book of Eli - 5th - Knew this was too far and he faded. Not sure where to go next with this chap
Holding Folding - 10th - Seriously out gunned in the top tier, may not make the cut from week 5, needs to play with the lower tier more.
Luck and Flaw - 9th - Was top of the handicap and ran like a donkey, not much to like about this horse right now.
Your Turn to Wonder - 2nd - Thought she was well placed for this and I do not really have too many complaints, gave weight to the winner, top quality 2m horses this season.
JUMP
Warlock - Pulled up - FU racekit.
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World of Warlocks - Pulled up - FU again racekit, seriously FU.
Extreme Measures - 6th - Never really got a hold of the race and made it difficult for herself. Just trained one who looks better, but she will hold her place.
Fruits Of Your Labours - 1st - Another win for this fast finishing girl, did it all right to beat a quality field. 2.4m hurdlers are on fire.
Show Your Colours - 2nd - Desperately unlucky after doing it all right today, simply could not shake Oh Ruby for speed after jumping into the lead, cannot find any better 4yo hurdlers in breeding so set for a bad season here I think.
Maximum Impact - 4th - Nice run from the old girl, looks off the pace though against this seasons crop and could face the cut as I am about the trial the latest crop.
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Years In The Making - Fell - Fek.......had the race for the taking, just waiting to spring off the front runner in the last 2f, pretty sure I had this so fek fek fek.
The Black Stage - 2nd - Finally had a run the like of which I recognise, but still found one who just out stayed him.
Comes To Fruition - 1st - Thank the lord for my 2.4m hurdlers this week, is the founder of the fast finishers and has finally shown the same form as her daughter 'Fruits Of Your Labours' in closing like a freight train.
The Perfect Monster - 2nd - Again finally I see something of the trial form and again almost but not quite, had the weight here will not get that advantage again.
The week that could have been for me.
Josh