What a Festival, absolutely chock-full of drama and surprises from MAJBOROUGH fluffing his lines on the opening day, to the 100/1 PONIROS on it’s hurdling debut winning the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle.
This was a Festival when only those who had luck on their side made a profit from their wagers, whereas the bookies were choosing destinations for Christmas in the Bahamas at the end of the 1st day. If you could keep your losses to a respectable number then you could count yourself lucky.
Even so, it was very entertaining, and I enjoyed every minute (and more). For me, the Festival is the pinnacle of the battle of wits between punter and bookie. It’s also a great excuse to meet old friends over a pint (or two), and talk racing. And I also love the mix at Cheltenham, it brings people together in ways no other social occasion can do. On the walk into the racecourse on Thursday morning, I was joined by Patrick Neville and his partner. I didn’t know Patrick from “Adam” when we first exchanged words, but we had the common bond of horseracing and swapped some great banter about the sport (and where it’s going). I was really rooting for his horse THE REAL WHACKER in the Gold Cup, I didn’t think he’d win, but I hoped he could be 2nd or 3rd, and he did put up a gallant effort.
And on Gold Cup day itself, I was sat next to a lovely, mature, American couple (who were, thankfully, no fans of Trump) who were having their first visit to a race-meeting either here in the UK or in the USA; and then during the course of our conversation he mentioned that he was at Cheltenham at the recommendation of his good friend Michael Dickinson (yes, THE Michael Dickinson who trained the 1st-5 in the Gold Cup of 1983). I mean, who could have predicted that!
I’m going to undertake my usual “deep dive” into the results of the Festival, but overall I reckon this was a “changing of the guard” and we could be on the verge of a significant movement in who holds the power in horseracing. More of that in my Festival Review in a week (or so).
I really hope you enjoyed my posts on the run-up to, and during, the Festival. If you did, I hope you stick around and catch some early antepost wagers once the Punchestown and Aintree Festivals have been and gone. Personally, it was my anteposts that kept me going last week, as the form horses just didn’t perform. I know some apparent “good judges” who charge over £150 for their advice on the Festival did a lot worse than me and my free opinion; and my good friend Epsom Al had a very successful week from a bedrock of small (and I’m talking 50p ew doubles and trebles) multiples which left him over £800 in profit for the week.
All the best, and please catch up soon.
