WETHERBY, A UNIQUE AND QUIRKY EXPERIENCE!

A REVIEW OF A MEMORABLE DAY AT WETHERBY COURTESY OF OLBG

My first visit to the nether regions of deepest Yorkshire, definitely left its mark in no uncertain way and this is more a review of a most enjoyable day rather than systems or tipping blog.

I was wavering as to whether to accept Olbg's kind offer to attend their sponsored day, but after a bit of soul searching, I thought it was too good an opportunity to miss.

I'd never been to Wetherby before and I like a new experience......variety is the spice of.......and all that.

A drive to Birmingham, an overnight stay, taxi to New Street, train to Leeds and then bus to the course were enough to test the resolve of the most intrepid adventurer.It was to be well worth it though.

I knew it was going to be quite a day when walking uphill and down dale into the back of the course some farmer unloaded a double-barrelled salvo in the field next to the path. 

I'm not sure what he was hunting, but I wasn't hanging around to find out, maybe he thought The Indians were coming and fired off a warning!

Wetherby Racecourse didn't look too demanding but it certainly presents a stiff test and after a day's punting there it's worth noting some of my observations. Definitely a mental notebook for future events.

The ability to jump was soon evident as Heez A Cracker had the opening Novice Chase at his mercy before a crashing fall presented the race to my first bet Ulysse Collonges.

I was happy to collect but gutted for Paddy Brennan and connections. I can definitely see why Donald McCain didn't fancy running Overturn on his chasing debut here, the fences are tricky enough and the soft ground presented a real test.

The next Novice Hurdle was turned into a procession by the ultra-impressive LORDOFTHEHOUSE and he fairly bolted up on his national hunt debut. 

This was the same horse who refused to come out of the stalls on his last two flat runs but the quirkiness of this place brought out the best in him.I'd keep this one onside as he really was an eyecatcher. Another winning bet to boot.

The 3m1f Novice Chase was going to take some getting and despite this being his chase debut I liked the look of ROSE OF THE MOON and he is another to keep in mind when getting a similar test. 

He jumped like an old hand and stayed on really well to land another punt. Keep him in mind especially around a track he does well at, Uttoxeter, could be a Midland's National type one day.

Next up was Olbg's own Mares' Race and I had no doubt that UNE ARTISTE was the one. She's not overly big but has some engine and really won with a bit in hand in my opinion. 

Another one who showed a bit of a quirky side last time when refusing to race, but with Jeremiah McGrath back onboard she was on her best behaviour. 

The jockey was the rider at last season's Festival when this pair landed the Fred Winter. That form is rock solid and I can see her hoovering up most of Olbg's cash in the Mares' races coming up. She'll go well at Cheltenham come March again and keep her firmly on the right side as long as she stays quirky free.

COURSE FORM AROUND WETHERBY IS WORTH IT'S WEIGHT IN GOLD 

The 3m1f John Smith's Hurdle was firmly Smad Place's to lose but he was upstaged by a most unlikely winner. 

The Prime Minister Of Funny Quirks TIDAL BAY was surely too enigmatic to fancy in this race. Dropping back to hurdles looked like a warm-up for a crack at something bigger, but the 11yo monkey showed none of his kinks to be professional enough to win easily. 

He wasn't unbacked either, sadly not with my cash but scratching below the surface he should have been long odds on. 

He won on his debut here at Wetherby back in 2006, had also had 3 placed efforts at the course, stays further, loves soft ground, had Ruby Walsh in the plate and had arguably run his best race last time out when bolting up in the Bet365 at Sandown!

Oh.....hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Silviniaco Conti was the class horse in The Charlie Hall and rightly won, but boy was he given a fright by WAYWARD PRINCE.

This one was the only course and distance winner in the race and though he showed nothing last season he was a real top notch novice.

At one stage he was traveling best of all and I thought for one nappy changing moment I was just about to go three out of three on my Lucky 15! 

However he clumped one and was put in his place by the classy winner, but definitely keep him in the notebook. Goes well fresh so a nice break will be on the agenda and hopefully he can start repaying the faith connections have had in him.

The concluding Handicap Hurdle was a real pinstickers job and the last leg of my life-changing Lucky never even landed a blow to finish out with the washing.

The winner was deemed difficult to find....but wrong again. 

TRUSTAN TIMES was another course and distance winner who won first time up last season. He landed the spoils here on his reappearance at rewarding odds and looked a plot up job despite the steadier of 11-12.

Definitely a few lessons learned and I'll be looking at all of those pointers at this unique course in the future.

The day was a real success and a big-up must go to all at Olbg for putting on such a fine and friendly day.

 It was nice to meet up with fellow members and the added bonus of getting into the paddock and getting my big fat head on the telly muscling my way into the trophy ceremony, made it even more enjoyable.

The final cherry on this very tasty cake was listening on the radio in the Betfred shop to the commentary from the 4.15 at Ascot. 

I'd been given the nod that Oliver Sherwood's PUFFIN BILLY was a good thing. Everyone and their uncle in the shop seemed to be in on the plot too. 

As the commentator went into overdrive when Billy hit the front, the roar in the shop was priceless. We'd all finished on a winner and the banter was classic stuff.

A final big thank you to all at Olbg must be said and I can't stress enough IF members get the chance to go to any of the meetings, go. 

You'll get well looked after and meet some very nice and knowledgable people.

Also the fact Wetherby seems to suit the quirky, really meant I felt at home! Definitely look forward to going back there one day.

Enjoy the read

Randy.