Cheltz Fest 2021 Behind Closed Doors ?

[Lobos]

Out of interest, did bookies void bets at Xmas for horses that were not allowed to travel ?

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

With respect Lobos the festival is about a wider audience than you and if you believe bookies will refund all bets should the Irish not travel then you are mistaken, you might think that would be a sensible action on their part but I can guarantee you this would not happen...

I disagree Ista, COVID-19 is like force majeur and reputationally there would be immense pressure on them to void. Anyway, I like you am definitely more than glass half full at this stage so hopefully we’ll never find out

[Istabraq]

For clarity the voiding of all bets, UK and Irish, as Lobos has predicted, will not happen.
Back in foot and mouth year travel bans were issued firstly on French about a month before the festival and then on Irish horses about two weeks before the festival, there was never any discussion about voiding of bets because these bets were placed on ante post terms

[Bigfish]

Without the Brits..

[Lobos]

With respect Lobos the festival is about a wider audience than you and if you believe bookies will refund all bets should the Irish not travel then you are mistaken, you might think that would be a sensible action on their part but I can guarantee you this would not happen...

How is that fair on the bookies ?? Do they not have rights as well ?? Should they not be protected?? If they do not have to void all English bets then why should they return any Irish bets? Without Irish , the markets would be completely false.

[Lobos]

Without the Brits..

That'll be the same as every other year wouldn't it ?

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

For clarity the voiding of all bets, UK and Irish, as Lobos has predicted, will not happen.
Back in foot and mouth year travel bans were issued firstly on French about a month before the festival and then on Irish horses about two weeks before the festival, there was never any discussion about voiding of bets because these bets were placed on ante post terms

That’s certainly an interesting example but probs had a fair bit to do with punters not being organised. Also the event never went ahead so no time for push back anyway. I think the age of social media could change this. I do not think a force majeur event is a fair reason for 100s of thousands of bets to be considered losers

[Istabraq]

How is that fair on the bookies ?? Do they not have rights as well ??

Ante post terms are clear and understood by everyone including bookmakers when they make a book.
If you’re telling me my vouchers on Thyme Hill should/would be voided if Irish horses don’t travel I will take bookies to court, but I would accept my Galvin vouchers are for the fire.
Simple in my mind and, thankfully, clear to bookmakers too...

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

Ante post terms are clear and understood by everyone including bookmakers when they make a book.
If you’re telling me my vouchers on Thyme Hill should/would be voided if Irish horses don’t travel I will take bookies to court, but I would accept my Galvin vouchers are for the fire.
Simple in my mind and, thankfully, clear to bookmakers too...

I see it exactly the other way round, probs because my antepost book is more balanced that way ....haha. This absolute nightmare scenario for the bookies is why I say they will want input on what happens if Irish runners can’t travel

[Lobos]

Ante post terms are clear and understood by everyone including bookmakers when they make a book.
If you’re telling me my vouchers on Thyme Hill should/would be voided if Irish horses don’t travel I will take bookies to court, but I would accept my Galvin vouchers are for the fire.
Simple in my mind and, thankfully, clear to bookmakers too...

I'm not saying they would be voided. I'm saying you'll get your money back on ALL bets.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Ante post terms are clear and understood by everyone including bookmakers when they make a book.
If you’re telling me my vouchers on Thyme Hill should/would be voided if Irish horses don’t travel I will take bookies to court, but I would accept my Galvin vouchers are for the fire.
Simple in my mind and, thankfully, clear to bookmakers too...

Lets hope it doesn't happen but I wouldn't be expecting a penny back on my Irish selections if they couldn't travel. Paddy Power may refund, maybe a couple of others too, but I'd be surprised if they all did it. That's the risk of ante post betting, unfortunately.

It would work out nicely for some bets (Shishkin and Thyme Hill) but would ruin the majority of of my ante posts

The justice refunders would be doing their nuts!

[charlie]

I'm not saying they would be voided. I'm saying you'll get your money back on ALL bets.

No chance.

[Faugheen_Machine]

I'm not saying they would be voided. I'm saying you'll get your money back on ALL bets.

They can't void all bets if the Irish can't travel, they'd end up in court!

[Istabraq]

I'm not saying they would be voided. I'm saying you'll get your money back on ALL bets.

Sorry Lobos that has confused me...

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

They can't void all bets if the Irish can't travel, they'd end up in court!

I think you can make a case for them to end up in court either way. COVID-19 is a force majeure event. Playing devils advocate what if due to travel restrictions runners can only run from the southwest of England and as Cheltenham are desperate for some sort of show to go ahead this is the path they take. Is that acceptable considering your antepost T&C, I honestly don’t think so. The line has to be drawn somewhere and for me the Irish contribute so many runners so as to go over that line. Interesting debate...haha