Balladiene

Balladiene ran a lot better than her finishing position in fourth place suggests in the concluding 10-furlong handicap at Navan on Sunday. Setting out to make all, she was kicked into a clear lead at the top of the home straight. She stayed on the far rail, where the ground was probably at its slowest, and still lasted until inside the final furlong, where she was overhauled by the closers on the stands side, and she faded inside the final 50 yards to go down by around five lengths.

This was Balladiene's second attempt at 10 furlongs on her first run for Jarlath Fahey. On her previous attempt over the distance, at Nottingham in October when she was with Mark Tompkins, she stayed on well towards the finish, so her owners and new trainer obviously felt that she would see the distance out well, and she was bet accordingly, from 10/1 down to 6/1. In fairness, you couldn't say that she didn't see it out, but she might be seen to even better effect if ridden with slightly more restraint next time. There is at least a similar contest in her.

26th April 2009

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