Newcastle - Revenge served ice cold

Wasn't feeling a million dollars this morning but managed to strap the old punting boots on and make the hour and half trip up to Geordieland for a decent-looking card with a few interesting sorts on show.

To be honest I thought the old mind was going when I backed Farragon thinking I was onto a good thing only to watch the horse drift and drift some more prior a very uncompetitive looking opener.

The Ayr form looked far and away the best on offer and I couldn't have anything else on my mind. Therefore it was disappointing that he ran a queer sort of race, staying on at one pace behind old Knight Valliant, who chose this day of days to finally deliver on the promise of so many others.

I got it wrong but so did those who backed Seventeen Black (very tall, very lean) and Grey Area, who hasn't looked fit all season and has not been in any kind of form.

I couldn't figure out the second division at all although I managed to shed a few more 'greenbacks' as the woefully one-paced Whichwaytobougie picked up Mister Jones late on to reward short odds backers.

Reveley's beast would not have had to improve to collect here while Mister Jones was finally putting his best foot forward after being well supported for the umpteenth time. Make no mistake though, this is not form to be getting carried away with, with Northern Acres the yardstick.

A 'typical' Jefferson horse - but who knew??

However, the fog between the ears began to clear when I slapped the old mince pies on Cyrus Darius in the NH hurdle. Mr Jefferson has endured a diabolical term but the horses are flying now and this son of Overbury could be anything looking at him.

He'll improve for this physically but he was impressive. On his good bumper form I thought he could easily run to a mark of 120 and it looks like he has done just that, brushing aside decent yardstick Court Dismissed.

The market was skew-wiff and I still can't believe the cash didn't come for Jefferson's charge. The jolly was weak but still way too short for my liking. The third Bobs Lord Tara is an ok sort but still carries a bit of weight round the belly and he'll win races for sure.

As always the staying chase was of huge interest especially as I priced up Dystonia's Revenge in single figures after it made a pleasing reappearance at Seggie recently. Readers may remember Native Optimist nearly landing a big-priced touch for the Walton yard at Carlisle and with the lady rider again stepping aside here this looked like another job was lined up.

There were plenty of whispers for it at the track so it was surprising that 20s and more was available on the machine. Did I back it? No. Don't ask why. I was left scrambling around mid-race for the dregs and although it won a fair few quid it could have been a season-defining win.

Reveley shone again on Dystonia's Revenge

The shape of the race was perfect as Jac The Legend was an opposable jolly as he looks a real slugger, and possibly not the most reliable one at that, while the Ellison yard remains quiet. I thought Settledoutofcourt would get an easy lead but that soon went out the window - the horse simply hasn't fired this term.

Blue Kascade looked great but again was a short price on what he's actually achieved and the Thomson kennel has also gone dead, while Cape York looks quirky and Vinny Gambini looked a moderate animal against some decent lookers here and is another for whom time has run out. So simple, after the event.

I managed to carve up the next as well. Readers will remember my chagrin at the ride Light The City got at Sedgefield last time when the cash was down, but I only had myself to blame as the veteran jockey simply can't be trusted.

With that in mind only a fool would make the same mistake again, right? Of the two potential improvers I much preferred the claims of Weapon Of Choice over Ginger Jack, particularly at the odds, and nothing else could really be given much of a chance.

Thankfully a bit of in-running action once again got the books back in the black but really I'm just left to ponder what might have been 12 days ago, and how the jockey managed to get it beat.

On a day when there wasn't much of an edge for paddock watchers so far, I wasn't much keen on Montoya's Son or Trust Thomas in a tight looking two and a half miler, both of whom appeared to be carrying more condition than earlier in the season.

Montoya's Son: Credit to connections

Perhaps it's just the time of year and the fact the pair of them have thrived over the past few months, but they dominated the finish in which the latter again had the race snatched away from him.

I had been quite keen on Trust Thomas getting his head back in front again with the extra half mile bound to suit, and sure enough he jumped into the race before hitting the front going to the last. Honestly I can't say that he dogged it, but it's frustrating he didn't run through the line. This was only Montoya's Son's second victory in a Class 3 event from 12 starts and his fourth successive win is to the great credit of his trainer.

Mr Syntax was fit for his belated return and probably ran his race, while Supreme Asset travelled really well but to these eyes could do with and extra half mile, especially when he learns to settle better.

The bumper was all about the Jefferson-trained Jurby, whose breeding alone stood apart from the rest before you factored in the form of the kennel.

He's still quite weak but well put together and he looked a very solid option against a bunch of newcomers that looked very green beforehand.

Only Australasia and Freddy Coole looked as though they would know their business, while Sainte Ladylime and Wayward Sun looked very weak and backward. Palmello is a nice big sort who could be okay in time but today was all about Jurby and he duly landed a double for the in-form yard, who really need to be watched over the next couple of weeks.