AUGUSTA KATE

Didn't realise she was in at 33's for the Neptune either. Didn't think that was Mullins style sending Mares to the Neptune or Albert Bartlett against the boys.

Unlucky or weakening after jumping the last when tipping over,...reminiscent of Shaneshill falling in the Ladbrokes Stayers and Squared Financial.

At the time I thought she was coming to win the race but having watched back a few times it was a tired looking fall and was wandering around prior to it. Frustrating though.

Even if she was beaten, there would be  no disgrace in finishing 2nd to this years standout novice, Death Duty.

I still think she should be aimed for the Mares Novice Hurdle at the Festival but I get the impression she may be heading for a Neptune/Albert Bartlett.

Didnt think she would be within 2 lengths at finish....

Maybe she wouldn't have been, but even finishing 10 lengths second to Death Duty would make her a strong fancy in the Mares Novice Hurdle in my book.

Certainly a great run from AK if you think DD is top class.

I'm not a huge Death Duty fan but you can't deny it's just about the best hurdle form on offer so far this season. I'm unsure if Invitation Only ran to form or not against Death Duty but I'm convinced the mare would have got closer to him than he did had she stayed on her feet.

I think Invitation Only is not as good as most thought he was - he only managed to beat a mare of Elliot - but was put in his place by Death Duty in the Navan Novice Hurdle.

Today's Lawlor was the best juvenile form on offer at the present time and Death Duty would have won even if Augusta Kate had stayed upright after the last the way the former accelerated to the line; he was also giving 7lbs to the mare.

I think he is the one to beat in the Albert Bartlett.

I don't think he would be out of place in the Neptune, especially with the hill but the further he goes the better he will be I'm sure. No doubt he will be many punters "banker" come March. Elliott was very complimentary of the horse afterwards.

Read all these comments about AK and am definitely in the would have won camp. The in running market on here would have backed that up too. Trading a very short odds before the last! I've said before that i couldn't get a handle on DD but i kinda have now that imo he wouldn't have been able to give 7ib and a beating. One thing he wasn't quickening after the last but AK did from 3 out to the point she fell. IMO it wasn't a tired fall, imo it was a typical Ruby Walsh style send a novice into an obstacle as if their seasoned jumpers type of fall she just didn't lift her leg up high enough and knuckled and rolled over.

What i learned from it, whichever race DD goes for, back each way against him, he'll keep my book nice and big, IF AK goes for the mares race Limini won, make sure she in the book. And continue to place lay every RW mount on a novice!