Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport Bet blog: Cheltenham reflections

Stay Away Fay

It was a pretty disappointing run. I’m not sure he handled the soft ground and, in all honesty, I thought he was beat after about four fences. Paul Nicholls is going to have a good look at him and see if anything comes to the light as to why he ran below par.
 
I’m not sure what the next port of call is, but we’re on a bit of a recovery mission now.

 

 
Ginny’s Destiny

He ran an absolute blinder and we were thrilled with him. He jumped like a buck bar a slight mistake at the second last, and unfortunately we just weren’t quite good enough for the winner on the day.

We were delighted with him and he’s one we’re really looking forward to moving forwards. He’s about as honest and genuine as they come, and we love him.

 
Stage Star

I thought he ran very well all things considering. He jumped and travelled great and while he was beaten a fair way, I was pretty happy with the run.

We went pretty hard early which is maybe why he got a bit tired, but it was a decent run and one we can build on.
 
There’s a handicap at Cheltenham in April which could be a good option for him next.

 
Noble Yeats

The way the race was run probably didn’t suit him as we didn’t go very fast and it turned into a bit of a sprint coming down the hill.

I felt I used all of my petrol keeping up with them going down the hill to the last and that’s probably what just cost us.
 
It wasn’t a bad run and if we’d had a good and honest gallop, it would have suited him much better.
 

Captain Teague

He was another who was a bit disappointing. He jumped great and travelled well, but when push came to shove, he didn’t really find much.

I know Paul has had a good look at him, so we’ll have to see if anything comes to light.
 
Obviously, the horse he beat in the Challow was just touched off, so we know he was up to being involved and it was just a shame he didn’t run his race.
 

Bravemansgame

He ran okay, but I don’t think he liked the ground. I was never happy after the second fence in all honesty, and I knew my fate from a long way out. He didn’t travel and jump as we know he can.
 
I was probably a bit harsh on him straight after the race as I wasn’t sure how hard he tried, but now I do think the ground was the big issue and took the class out of him.

We wouldn’t have beaten the winner on any ground, but having watched it back a couple of times, I do think there were excuses.