The Hollywood style sign on Cleeve Hill that bears the legend “Paddy Power” rather than “Punter Power” for a reason. After two days of shock results and beaten short priced favourites it’s Paddy that is looking down on punters and not vice versa. Once again today it was not until the sixth race that Ruby Walsh finally brought home a winning favourite and some relief to beleaguered punters.
Poker De Sivola won the first race at 14/1 for Ferdy Murphy who always does well at the Spring Festivals. The Donald McCain trained Peddlers Cross was another winner for the North in the Neptune Hurdle. It was a win for Ireland’s Weapon’s Amnesty in the RSA Chase with defeat for the well backed Nicky Henderson pair of Punchestowns and Long Run.
But the biggest shock of the day was the defeat of Master Minded in the Queen Mother and he could only manage fourth having not looked happy at any stage. It was another victory for Ireland on St Patrick’s Day with Colm Murphy’s Big Zeb doing the business at 10/1. Spirit River who won at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day took the Coral Cup and was a second winner of the Festival for Nicky Henderson. Ruby Walsh and Paul Nicholls teamed up to win the Fred Winter with Sanctuaire which was well tipped up in the previews I went to. The 40/1 winner of the bumper Cue Card was also given a positive mention at the Official Preview….a shame I didn’t take any notice! I hope those that read my report did. Not a blog tip but I gave Weapon’s Amnesty a mention too.
Forpadydeplasterer was an honourable second for the JP Festival tips in the Queen Mother and at the advised 20/1 (SP – 10/1) returned a 4 point profit. With a 4 point loss on Day 1 and Bensalem a non-runner the balance now stands at minus 2 points. Two JP Festival tips running tomorrow – Planet Of Sound in the 2.40pm and Karabak in the 3.20pm – so let’s hope you can move into profit before Gold Cup day on Friday.
Photo courtesy of Randy Rann
