Saturday 2nd May 2015

Jezki won the battle between himself and Hurricane Fly in good style, I’ll admit I just can’t get Jezki right, I backed him in the Champion Hurdle and thought he was an EW bet to nothing but never had a penny on at Aintree whilst didn’t think he would stay 3 miles.

The other jockeys possibly played into the above horses hands as the pace of the race wasn’t that quick and it didn’t look like a proper stamina test. My main fancy for the race Lieutenant Colonel was going nicely but was caught flat footed on the home turn before running on again when it was all too late.

Faugheen added to his Champion Hurdle triumph with another outstanding victory, never headed from the off he bolted up with any amount in hand and made his race record a perfect ten out of ten. Ruby Walsh quoted “he went faster than in the Champion Hurdle & he’s like an aeroplane”.

Back on the level it’s 2000gns day at Newmarket, I wrote on the blog after Intilaaq’s victory a few weeks ago the horse should be followed as he looked really smart. The time of his win was very good whilst Keble who finished 2nd "8 lengths behind" is held in high regard by the John Gosden yard.

I was pleased to see Intilaaq supplemented for the guineas midweek for £30,000 and immediately backed him EW at 16-1, those odds could only go one way and Intilaaq now trades at 10-1. Unfortunately my enthusiasm has gone slightly down hill as jockey Paul Hanagan has decided to ride Estidhkaar.

Jockeys do get it wrong and will continue to do so, I hope Dane O’Neill who comes in for the ride goes flat out from the off and plays catch me if you can as per tactics last time.

I’m still hopeful Intilaaq could be very good indeed and can run a big race providing lack of inexperience doesn’t go against him on Newmarket's undulations.