RP Ratings prevail after titanic tussle
After a titanic three-way battle for supremacy, Racing Post’s Ratings emerged as top dog in April’s Napchecker race with an impressive 27.7-point yield. Rob Wright (the Times) finished second on 13.3 points with Glendale of the Scotsman (12.1 points) a close third.
The final margin of victory was more than 13 points, but the struggle to claim top spot was closer than that appears. For much of the month, Racing Post Ratings held the upper hand, but in the last ten days, the lead changed hands a number of times with first Glendale, then Wright sneaking ahead. However, winners on the last two days of the month allowed Ratings to take the honours.
A 38% strike-rate is impressive in any circumstances, but when prices average almost 5/1, we are talking about an exceptional effort. Anna Bunina (6/1, Ayr, 2 April), Clan Des Obeaux (13/2, Aintree, 7 April), Magic Dancer (13/2, Ludlow, 20 April), Repertoire (6/1, Ascot, 27 April) and Ingra Tor (13/2, Newmarket, 30 April) were the best priced examples from an eleven- winner haul that also included 9/2, 4/1 and 3/1 successes.
Last month, if you recall, Ratings scored heavily in the early exchanges, but faded badly post-Cheltenham. In contrast, April was a month of consistency with only one four-day losing sequence. And, as a consequence, Ratings are now the clear leader in the 2022 challenge with an 18.4-point profit.
Rob Wright’s challenge burst into life with the 15/2 Thirsk victory of Asadjumeirah (25 April). This propelled Wright into first position in the table, but his tenure at the top was brief; with no further winners to report, the Times’ correspondent’s effort fizzled out. Nevertheless, a 13.3-point return is to be celebrated. Winners included 9/1 Asjad (Redcar, 18 April) and Party Business (11/2, Aintree, 9 April).
Glendale, who topped the table in March, remained in good shape throughout April, posting a 36% strike-rate. Winners arrived at regular intervals (the longest losing sequence was just five) with the highlight being the 14/1 Anniversary Juvenile Hurdle victory of the Milton Harris-trained Knight Salute at a sodden Aintree (7 April). With 9.1 points, Glendale is the closest challenger to Ratings in the 2022 table.
Ratings, Rob Wright and Glendale had the April race pretty much to themselves. Of the rest of the field, only Robin Goodfellow and Newsboy ended the month in credit.
Robin Goodfellow experienced a mixed month that featured a losing streak of twelve. But for that, the Mail’s pundit would have finished with a much bigger return than 2.5-points. Gale Force Maya (11/2, Newmarket, 12 April) and Cicely (5/1, Wolverhampton, 29 April) were the pick of seven winning naps.
With only four winning naps from 22, Newsboy’s position looked hopeless entering the last week of the month, but the last seven selections yielded four wins, notably Redzone at Newcastle (29 April), and an unexpected profit of 0.5 points.
Harvester of the Irish Times, who concentrates on domestic racing, topped April’s all-tips table with a 17.8-point profit (60 tips). The Star, who posted 855 tips during the course of the month, were also showing a profit until the final week or so. Nevertheless, a loss of just 22.6 points was a fine effort.
Date Published: 05/05/2022