Smokeringinthedark managed to get the job done and ended the month with a winner.
Danny McMenamin was very confident that he had enough horse under him to get the win, having much more confidence than I did.
The horse didn't jump the last three or four with maximum amount of fluency, but as Danny believed, the horse had a bit to spare to deny the runner-up from winning this race again.
Broomfields Cave 10/3 (1pt) – Wincanton 3.20
Through the process of elimination, I think Broomfields Cave has the best chance of winning this race.
If you can look past the most recent run of Broomfields Cave, then he is the one they all have to beat. He finished ahead of Muskoka, who was in second place. That day over today's course and distance, he put in a good performance and showed a fantastic attitude.
The top weight in this race is on a good handicap mark, but he is at his best on soft ground. Golan Loop looks to be in the grips of the handicapper, and Law Of Supply is out of form, and I've been burnt too many times when backing horses like this. There is always a chance that Law Of Supply could bounce back to form off a good handicap rating, but it's always a risk.
Broomfields Cave is still an unexposed chaser with just five runs to date over fences. He has had two wins over fences and a further two more efforts placed, so there is every reason to believe the progression can continue at a venue he evidently likes.
Walkinthepresent 11/8 (1pt) – Wincanton 3.50
I tipped up Walkinthepresent last time out, as it was eye-catching that Dylan Johnston took the ride over a Sam Thomas horse who was in the same race. It turns out that the Sam Thomas runner became a non-runner, but he was always booked to ride Walkinthepresent.
It didn't look likely at a lot of the last half-mile of the race, but he got the job done. It turns out that the horse he beat into second spot was also ahead of the handicapper. The runner-up has since won a similar race by over four lengths, and did it with ease.
Walkinthepresent has gone up 8lbs for the recent win, which makes life harder, but I think it's not enough to stop him from following up with another win.
Dylan Johnston retains the ride, and the yard has had a few winners over the last fortnight, which is always a positive sign.
GambleAware