General Chat

[Nwfb89]

Yeah. I think Davy might’ve ridden sore before, particularly for a Gold Cup. He was fine on Search for Glory …

Bit odd in the finish of the county tho wasn't he just hands n heels stuff maybe he was injured and restricetd upper body movement in some way hence him not using his whip much there

[Exar Essay]

Am I right in thinking next years Champion Bumper will be limited to 4-5 yo? A good thing in my view.

[Faugheen_Machine]

How's everyone feeling?

I'm exhausted. It's a tough week that seems to get harder every year.

Tuesday was great with Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle both bringing the house down (I even managed to sneak into the grandstand to watch honeysuckle win). It was great to catch up with fellow FJ's to watch the Ultima. Not great that I had 2 pints of very expensive and flat lager to drink when I got back to my group. 5 winners on day one put me in a strong position for the week, although Brandy Love pretty much ruled out any chance of a face spitter!

Wednesday was noticeably quieter on the course but the weather, and hangover, took the edge off it for me. It was freezing. IEP was outstanding, Energumene routed them, but the cross country was the highlight for me as two of my all time favourites battled it out up the hill. Galvin has to go close in the Grand National (albeit 12 months too late!).

It was back to Cumbria to watch the racing Thursday and Friday. Flooring Porter and ADV were the last legs of a few bets that got turned over and they would have made a huge difference to my week (both were worth 750 pts). As it was, had an outlay of 315pts and returned 688.65pts so happy enough.

I'm not sure I'll go back to Cheltenham next season - most of the group I go with are thinking of doing something different. Going abroad for it, or a trip to Newcastle or Edinburgh, are being considered. Paying nearly ?8 for a drink on course is one thing (having to pour your own too!), but we were paying that in some of the bars in town. Taxi's were charging us anything from ?12 or ?30 for the same 4 mile trip. It felt like everyone wanted to rip us off, even the lapdancers were wanting extra - so I was told!

It was great week but time to recharge the batteries ahead of Aintree.

[That Horse]

How's everyone feeling?

My mood yesterday morning was a bit like the day after completing an exam. I was relieved I had no more intense studying to do for a while

Cheltenham profits meant all my credit card debt is now cleared, gave some away to my Mrs and my mum, and still a bit left over I'm undecided what to do with.

[Stormez]

How's everyone feeling?

I'm exhausted. It's a tough week that seems to get harder every year.

Tuesday was great with Constitution Hill and Honeysuckle both bringing the house down (I even managed to sneak into the grandstand to watch honeysuckle win). It was great to catch up with fellow FJ's to watch the Ultima. Not great that I had 2 pints of very expensive and flat lager to drink when I got back to my group. 5 winners on day one put me in a strong position for the week, although Brandy Love pretty much ruled out any chance of a face spitter!

Wednesday was noticeably quieter on the course but the weather, and hangover, took the edge off it for me. It was freezing. IEP was outstanding, Energumene routed them, but the cross country was the highlight for me as two of my all time favourites battled it out up the hill. Galvin has to go close in the Grand National (albeit 12 months too late!).

It was back to Cumbria to watch the racing Thursday and Friday. Flooring Porter and ADV were the last legs of a few bets that got turned over and they would have made a huge difference to my week (both were worth 750 pts). As it was, had an outlay of 315pts and returned 688.65pts so happy enough.

I'm not sure I'll go back to Cheltenham next season - most of the group I go with are thinking of doing something different. Going abroad for it, or a trip to Newcastle or Edinburgh, are being considered. Paying nearly ?8 for a drink on course is one thing (having to pour your own too!), but we were paying that in some of the bars in town. Taxi's were charging us anything from ?12 or ?30 for the same 4 mile trip. It felt like everyone wanted to rip us off, even the lapdancers were wanting extra - so I was told!

It was great week but time to recharge the batteries ahead of Aintree.

You’re right about taxis, was criminal. We had to pay 200 quid to get back to Cirencester which I think is about 15 miles away (there was 6 of us so needed a people carrier).

[Istabraq]

How's everyone feeling?

It's a tough week that seems to get harder every year.

Paying nearly ?8 for a drink on course is one thing (having to pour your own too!), but we were paying that in some of the bars in town. Taxi's were charging us anything from ?12 or ?30 for the same 4 mile trip. It felt like everyone wanted to rip us off

Never been any different FM, it starts when the hotels, B&Bs, cottages etc all hike their prices up, but people keep coming and the place keeps selling out so they can continue to charge what they like.

Even the fantastic restaurants of the Cotwolds operate a different menu across the week, and if you happen to be down there the weekend before the festival order the same meal Sat/Wed and see the difference.
They're all at it.

On the flip side I was reminded yesterday that West Ham charged 8 quid a pint, the standard 02 burger is over a tenner and countless other premium venues up and down the country apply massively increased prices, and like everything there is no reverse button so it won't be changing.

So many people talking about doing the DRF next year, something I'd love to do myself, but if that ever became bigger than Cheltenham and 50,000 UK punters heading over for it what is likely to happen to hotel/beer/burger prices over there ?
Supply and demand, and Cheltenham is a monster....

[Quevega]

I'm Knackered too.

Didn't go to the festival so interesting to see people mentioning not bothering again.
Went to Southwell instead, for golf and racing with 14 others.

The best part was having the admiral rodney pub all to ourselves for 2 days, with food, TV booths, Big TV's and 2 Pool tables and 2 dart boards.
The racing at Southwell was shite though.
No one there and No internet, and it was freezing.

I thought the festival was brilliant though, in terms of the racing, and we have probably seen the best hurdler and best chaser we've seen for many a year.
The Gold cup performance in particular was outstanding.

In terms of my betting I was pleased with how it went and finished as follows

I was 70 points down before we started - I got a bit carried away with the novices as usual and after a good start with the WTAF bets, I had a run of mainly losers.

Thursday was a magnificent day for me and I returned a profit on that day alone of 321 points. I think this is because my antepost betting ignores shorter prices and doubles early season, so when the favourites hang around I end up having to be against them. I had anticipated Allaho being ruled out and had built up a decent book using the exchange for the Ryanair including Envoi Allen and Fury Road at 50's and higher on the exchange, ending up with returning 76 points on Envoi. This was nearly scuppered as Shishkin dusted himself off and effectively replaced Allaho, so it was a result for me that he ran below par and jumped badly on the day, although he would have been a profitable result also.

The Mares Novice was a similar story as I'd ignored the early prices for Luccia and even though I began to like her chances, I hedged a lot on the exchange and got some other mares at much bigger prices. The form of the Challow looked decent IMO, and the ability to stay is a very good asset for the mares novice IMO so I had managed to get a 65pt return off You Wear it Well.

I was not as strongly opposed to the UK Novice chasers as some on here, and got Stage Star at 16's like many others, and liked him so much on the day as the biggest danger to my main fancy Mighty Potter that I put him in a yankee with Seddon and Foxy Girl and levelneverending. I'd always intended on backing Seddon but expected him in a hurdle so would have backed him had stage star not won, but didn't need too. I cashed the double part of the yankee for a 76pt return. Let the trebles part run on foxy Girl which would have been another 400pts and 50+ pts on the exchange I'd got on her already. It was a consolation that You wear it well held on easily.

Backed Good Time Jonny immediately after he qualified at christmas - antepost at 33-1 e/w so that was simple.
The race looked super competitive this year though and I wasn't hopeful as it began, but it turned out fine. In the end

I nailed the Kim Muir, with the first 4 home at 14-1, 16-1, 12-1 and 22-1, not all each way though.
Pleased with that as last year I was convinced I'd nailed it and got nothing back from a 26pt outlay

The stayers was a blank as I hovered over the Sire du berlais but thought it was stupid, even though my mate Daryl had been mentioning it for weeks.
I did though nearly put it in multiple, which was another winning bet that day, I decided to have an 80-1 Patent on Wednesday night, and selected Notlongtillmay, Gevrey, Burrows Park, had 80-1 been around for Sire du Berlais at the time then I'd have added him too .
Anyway I was gutted that the non runners made 2 places available for the turners but the horse ran a cracker, and then Gevrey came from the clouds at 125-1 SP, another 53pts.

The other days ticked over for small profits and although I think my multiples got lucky, I save a lot of non runner losses by these being mostly NRNB, and the saver doubles came in handy also after getting IEP & A Dream to Share up on the Wednesday and also Delta Work & Energumene (obvious double for me with the positions I had on their rivals),
wednesday was a slower day apart from the Whacker, as I had Edwardstone at 40's and Galvin at 33's for big wins. Got three placed horses in the Annual, and won with Langer Dan on the Coral Cup, with 2 placed, camprond and epic song would have been bigger winners though.

I'd backed a Dream to Share but not for as much as I actually fancied him to win so the double with IEP which I'd not covered seemed a good idea. Also had Fact to File and It's for Me at bigger prices. It's for Me shaped well and is one to watch.

20 multiples on Tuesday failed to land, but Marine Nationale at 28-1 (one of my first antepost bets) got me off to a good start, I'd always been on the Irish side of things in the arkle also but not got fancy prices on El Fabiolo. The Ultima was a disappointment even though I backed the winner, as he just got my money back really.

I was annoyed with the stupidity of the ride on the twiston davies horse in the champion after getting 60-1 each way straight after he won the kingwell. What the fuck were they thinking
A ride like the one on Zanahyir would have been fine.
But getting evens on 3 accounts for Constitution Hill was a bonus.

Jazzy Matty, another early season bet any race 27-1 , was a surprise as it wasn't immediately obvious he'd been hidden, although the jockey booking was encouraging.
Had a big bet on the mare but nothing on Byker so the finish was nerve racking.

I agree with many others that some races were gifted to the leaders and the mares was one of those IMO, although to be fair to Honey, she was the best horse in the race.
And the whole saga around Maries Rock and then the no show will have made some people pretty upset I reckon. Interesting to see how this plays out.
Brandy Love and the rest, had no chance trying to quicken whilst a 2 times champion hurdler was quickening. Fucking muppets.

Friday got off to a decent start although I only had 9/2 on the winner and 25/1 the place on Zenta, Cartoon Dog's festival saved by his excellence in this field
Backed Faivoir on the machine at 50's so got the best of a tight finish in the county. Just have to back skeltons horses and had his other at 18-1.

Blanked in the bartlett, after having very strong positions which seem very similar to previous seasons. I think the jockey cost Corbetts Cross by getting hesitant and standing up approaching the last. Sometimes you have to be brave or you might end up worse off, like Walsh did. Not sure he'd have won anyway to be fair, and was even more annoyed as I had a free roll for over 2k on affordale fury left on the antepost exchange market, so when I realised he was a close second that stung a little.

Backed very little in the foxhunters but had Emmet's horse each way.

The Gold cup I had a rare full book and after several attempts in the week to get a roll onto GDC, I was left with bets at 11/4, 9/4 and covered my stakes when he won.

Had all the best prices at the top of the market on the Pipe except for Iroko !.
But a saver e/w yankee on horses I had not covered much - Iroko, Ballyadam, BraveMans and 3 card brag, came in on the each way part. I only played the four timer each way though.

Anyway, I could ramble on forever, so I'll stop now.
PS, The handicaps are fucking easy.




Staked = 347pts (+70) = 417

Returned = 821

ROI = 97%


Pre festival losses - 70

Breakdown Handicaps 113.5 v 266 (134%) mostly NRNB (except pertemps)
Breakdown Multiples 53.5 v 223 (316%) mostly NRNB
Graded and Others 180 v 332 (84%)

[Faugheen_Machine]

Never been any different FM, it starts when the hotels, B&Bs, cottages etc all hike their prices up, but people keep coming and the place keeps selling out so they can continue to charge what they like.

Even the fantastic restaurants of the Cotwolds operate a different menu across the week, and if you happen to be down there the weekend before the festival order the same meal Sat/Wed and see the difference.
They're all at it.

On the flip side I was reminded yesterday that West Ham charged 8 quid a pint, the standard 02 burger is over a tenner and countless other premium venues up and down the country apply massively increased prices, and like everything there is no reverse button so it won't be changing.

So many people talking about doing the DRF next year, something I'd love to do myself, but if that ever became bigger than Cheltenham and 50,000 UK punters heading over for it what is likely to happen to hotel/beer/burger prices over there ?
Supply and demand, and Cheltenham is a monster....

There were only 50,000 on the course on the Wednesday so they are no longer guaranteed to sell out. That's good for the customers as they may realise they can't continue to take the piss.

I don't mind over paying for things on occasions but when they are all at it, it becomes tiresome.

The DRF or Aintree are something I'm looking at for next season.

The racing was top class though. Possibly the best i can remember.

[That Horse]

I'm Knackered too.

Didn't go to the festival so interesting to see people mentioning not bothering again.
Went to Southwell instead, for golf and racing with 14 others.

The best part was having the admiral rodney pub all to ourselves for 2 days, with food, TV booths, Big TV's and 2 Pool tables and 2 dart boards.
The racing at Southwell was shite though.
No one there and No internet, and it was freezing.

I thought the festival was brilliant though, in terms of the racing, and we have probably seen the best hurdler and best chaser we've seen for many a year.
The Gold cup performance in particular was outstanding.

In terms of my betting I was pleased with how it went and finished as follows

I was 70 points down before we started - I got a bit carried away with the novices as usual and after a good start with the WTAF bets, I had a run of mainly losers.

Thursday was a magnificent day for me and I returned a profit on that day alone of 321 points. I think this is because my antepost betting ignores shorter prices and doubles early season, so when the favourites hang around I end up having to be against them. I had anticipated Allaho being ruled out and had built up a decent book using the exchange for the Ryanair including Envoi Allen and Fury Road at 50's and higher on the exchange, ending up with returning 76 points on Envoi. This was nearly scuppered as Shishkin dusted himself off and effectively replaced Allaho, so it was a result for me that he ran below par and jumped badly on the day, although he would have been a profitable result also.

The Mares Novice was a similar story as I'd ignored the early prices for Luccia and even though I began to like her chances, I hedged a lot on the exchange and got some other mares at much bigger prices. The form of the Challow looked decent IMO, and the ability to stay is a very good asset for the mares novice IMO so I had managed to get a 65pt return off You Wear it Well.

I was not as strongly opposed to the UK Novice chasers as some on here, and got Stage Star at 16's like many others, and liked him so much on the day as the biggest danger to my main fancy Mighty Potter that I put him in a yankee with Seddon and Foxy Girl and levelneverending. I'd always intended on backing Seddon but expected him in a hurdle so would have backed him had stage star not won, but didn't need too. I cashed the double part of the yankee for a 76pt return. Let the trebles part run on foxy Girl which would have been another 400pts and 50+ pts on the exchange I'd got on her already. It was a consolation that You wear it well held on easily.

Backed Good Time Jonny immediately after he qualified at christmas - antepost at 33-1 e/w so that was simple.
The race looked super competitive this year though and I wasn't hopeful as it began, but it turned out fine. In the end

I nailed the Kim Muir, with the first 4 home at 14-1, 16-1, 12-1 and 22-1, not all each way though.
Pleased with that as last year I was convinced I'd nailed it and got nothing back from a 26pt outlay

The stayers was a blank as I hovered over the Sire du berlais but thought it was stupid, even though my mate Daryl had been mentioning it for weeks.
I did though nearly put it in multiple, which was another winning bet that day, I decided to have an 80-1 Patent on Wednesday night, and selected Notlongtillmay, Gevrey, Burrows Park, had 80-1 been around for Sire du Berlais at the time then I'd have added him too .
Anyway I was gutted that the non runners made 2 places available for the turners but the horse ran a cracker, and then Gevrey came from the clouds at 125-1 SP, another 53pts.

The other days ticked over for small profits and although I think my multiples got lucky, I save a lot of non runner losses by these being mostly NRNB, and the saver doubles came in handy also after getting IEP & A Dream to Share up on the Wednesday and also Delta Work & Energumene (obvious double for me with the positions I had on their rivals),
wednesday was a slower day apart from the Whacker, as I had Edwardstone at 40's and Galvin at 33's for big wins. Got three placed horses in the Annual, and won with Langer Dan on the Coral Cup, with 2 placed, camprond and epic song would have been bigger winners though.

I'd backed a Dream to Share but not for as much as I actually fancied him to win so the double with IEP which I'd not covered seemed a good idea. Also had Fact to File and It's for Me at bigger prices. It's for Me shaped well and is one to watch.

20 multiples on Tuesday failed to land, but Marine Nationale at 28-1 (one of my first antepost bets) got me off to a good start, I'd always been on the Irish side of things in the arkle also but not got fancy prices on El Fabiolo. The Ultima was a disappointment even though I backed the winner, as he just got my money back really.

I was annoyed with the stupidity of the ride on the twiston davies horse in the champion after getting 60-1 each way straight after he won the kingwell. What the fuck were they thinking
A ride like the one on Zanahyir would have been fine.
But getting evens on 3 accounts for Constitution Hill was a bonus.

Jazzy Matty, another early season bet any race 27-1 , was a surprise as it wasn't immediately obvious he'd been hidden, although the jockey booking was encouraging.
Had a big bet on the mare but nothing on Byker so the finish was nerve racking.

I agree with many others that some races were gifted to the leaders and the mares was one of those IMO, although to be fair to Honey, she was the best horse in the race.
And the whole saga around Maries Rock and then the no show will have made some people pretty upset I reckon. Interesting to see how this plays out.
Brandy Love and the rest, had no chance trying to quicken whilst a 2 times champion hurdler was quickening. Fucking muppets.

Friday got off to a decent start although I only had 9/2 on the winner and 25/1 the place on Zenta, Cartoon Dog's festival saved by his excellence in this field
Backed Faivoir on the machine at 50's so got the best of a tight finish in the county. Just have to back skeltons horses and had his other at 18-1.

Blanked in the bartlett, after having very strong positions which seem very similar to previous seasons. I think the jockey cost Corbetts Cross by getting hesitant and standing up approaching the last. Sometimes you have to be brave or you might end up worse off, like Walsh did. Not sure he'd have won anyway to be fair, and was even more annoyed as I had a free roll for over 2k on affordale fury left on the antepost exchange market, so when I realised he was a close second that stung a little.

Backed very little in the foxhunters but had Emmet's horse each way.

The Gold cup I had a rare full book and after several attempts in the week to get a roll onto GDC, I was left with bets at 11/4, 9/4 and covered my stakes when he won.

Had all the best prices at the top of the market on the Pipe except for Iroko !.
But a saver e/w yankee on horses I had not covered much - Iroko, Ballyadam, BraveMans and 3 card brag, came in on the each way part. I only played the four timer each way though.

Anyway, I could ramble on forever, so I'll stop now.
PS, The handicaps are fucking easy.




Staked = 347pts (+70) = 417

Returned = 821

ROI = 97%


Pre festival losses - 70

Breakdown Handicaps 113.5 v 266 (134%) mostly NRNB (except pertemps)
Breakdown Multiples 53.5 v 223 (316%) mostly NRNB
Graded and Others 180 v 332 (84%)

I'm knackered reading that

[Quevega]

I'm knackered reading that

LoL
apologies.

[Ray]

I had great festivals 2021 and 2022 so i thought id take this year off but i got excited leading up to it and tried to get some bets going, as expected if you do anything half hearted i got what i deserve, NOTHING so i cant be dissapointed with it in all honesty, but because ive had this one off im already looking at 2024 and going to carry on as i did with 2021 and 2022 which is taking time with everything, looking on here and backing myself instead of looking at people on twitter for a quick answer to a race! Absolute waste of time some of the people on there at the end of the day you get what you put in and im ready to get stuck in very early

from a racing point of view though it was class i enjoyed it without the worry which was nice but its not the same when your not as involved in my opinion

[Imperial Commander]

I don't think anyone who goes for the week doesn't end up knackered! Arriving on Monday and leaving on Saturday doesn't make the week any shorter but am now starting to emerge back to real life.

We went to the preview night at the Whaddon Road footy ground on Monday night and after singing its praises from last year, this year's I'm afraid was much worse. The crowd seemed split between those boozing and talking over the panel and those concentrating and shushing which didn't really help the atmosphere. There were a few empty seats before the end and even Davy seemed a bit downbeat about it all for some reason. We've already binned the Hollow Bottom preview (same panel every year of Sam Twister, Carl Llewellyn, Luke Tarr etc) and once was enough at the Centaur (one for the tourists with no depth at all) so next year it may be just yet more beers instead!

The crowds felt noticeably smaller on course apart from Gold Cup Day and now I've seen the crowd figures it makes sense. There was a sense of less Irish being there and less everyone really, it meant you could get around the course ok though without it taking half an hour to have a piss or a pint. I still get far too annoyed every time there's a rain shower during the week but will try and get over that. I'd say we're in the camp of still going to the Festival in future as a familiar "event" - we've got 6 annual members so even if we lose the odd one as time goes on, it's still great craic and we've also got a long standing booking at a house in Prestbury with a walk across the fields to the course and we don't want to lose that. If you pay for your beers by Applepay then you barely notice the cost until you get home. It was good to meet a few FJ's on course although I feel for one of you, paying ?200 for a taxi to Cirencester is a disgrace!

There were some real high points in the racing, particularly Constitution Hill and Galopin Des Champs. Still adding up my final position but the handicaps don't get any easier and the bookies' keenness in replacing anything that was 33-1 in preview years with 16's or 20's this year means selectivity is ever more key (easier said than done). I also felt this year that less horses fell by the wayside before we got to the final fields so in some cases I had too many runners at just ok prices rather than money back on half and shorter prices on the other half, definitely some food for thought on how to approach things next year.

Some regrouping required now but it's not long to Aintree, the Masters and Punchestown.....

[Atlantic Viking]

Now that Mahler has finally chalked one up, anyone know which sires at that more prominent end of things are still without a Cheltenham festival winner? Doyen is one, I think, just curious about others.
Quite liked this year that there were 27 different winning sires, wonder what odds Walk In The Park would have been to not be amongst them

[Zachx02]

Now that Mahler has finally chalked one up, anyone know which sires at that more prominent end of things are still without a Cheltenham festival winner? Doyen is one, I think, just curious about others.
Quite liked this year that there were 27 different winning sires, wonder what odds Walk In The Park would have been to not be amongst them

Don't think getaway got a winner did he?

[Odin]

Now that Mahler has finally chalked one up, anyone know which sires at that more prominent end of things are still without a Cheltenham festival winner? Doyen is one, I think, just curious about others.
Quite liked this year that there were 27 different winning sires, wonder what odds Walk In The Park would have been to not be amongst them

As Zachx02 said, Getaway 0-44 (3 places).

Then there's a few lesser known sires:
Al Namix 0-40, 4 places
Kahyasi 0-38, 8 places
Supreme Leader 0-32, 2 places

Interestingly due to pure numbers of runners, Presenting (12-227, -103.75) and Flemensfirth (7-171, -101.75) are the biggest losers to date. Muhtathir (6-24, +82.07), Beat Hollow (4-34, +64), Court Cave (4-36, +62.5) and Fame and Glory (3-42, +36.5) the most profitable with 20+ runners.