I wouldnt disagree with that mate but just watch the race again. I have watched it five times now including just a couple of minutes ago and it is currently 5.35am.
The horse made a small mistake at the water jump 4 from home which cost him a length or two and a bit of momentum. He was
then playing catch up but he is within a length at the last. Just watch his run from the last to the bend. If it wasnt for the mistake, or with a bit more effort, he could have found himself in front then. And then who knows................?
We both agree the day is coming. But we'll just keep that one to ourselves eh ?
As an aside, i do love the Haslam stable because it was/is an easy one to suss. I know there are a few lads on here who were on my old forum and they know this story but for those who dont, i will repeat it. As they used to say in Allo Allo, i shall say this only once.
I was watching a horse of theirs called Countister, the ex Nicky Henderson mare. She had run at a couple of festivals and had reached a high of 141 but after a few poor efforts she was packed off to Haslams yard. So of course, plan A is to get the handicap mark down. So they set about doing that in their usual way and i was watching and waiting and trying to work out when "the day" was. I had it in my head that if they got it down to a mark of around 100 they would go for it then. So it was declared at Hexham on Derby Day 2021 and we drove up there. It was well punted that day and i got involved but she never looked like winning and eventually finished ninth. I put the "gamble" down to people like myself who thought the day had come and it wasnt the stable money. But i just knew that they were lining it up and i collared Richie McLernon on the way back to the unsaddling enclosure and asked him what happened. Was she feeling something ? Did she just run flat ? And his reply was "Thats as good as she is".
Thats when i knew she was going in soon.
I cant remember why i didnt back her at Uttoxeter next time but i know she drifted like a barge and i left her alone. But i piled into her at Sedgefield at a big price and she got caught close home and she as backed down to 4/1 that day. We were all on at much bigger so made a few quid but the next run she made no mistake and absolutely sluiced in at Kelso. And it was one of the very rare occasions when i backed one shorter than 8's. although she wasnt favourite when we all got on.
Apologies for the long drawn out reply. But remembering Richie's reply that day always brings a smile to my face.
Have a good day mate.