General Chat

[Faugheen_Machine]

Unibet have it

Thanks mate. Was looking to back Waterford Whispers but he isn't listed so took the any race price of 12/1.

[Wayward Lad]

Rare column in RP from JP about the field sizes for handicaps at the festival.

Think he has a very fair point.
In fact this idea throughout the season in other high graded handicaps would help to slightly increase the fields in some of the slightly lower grade handicaps that struggle to make double figures.
It's kind of less races (options) really !!

Reducing to 18 runners Max would definitely make it more competitive to get your horses a place in the field.
Which for the Cheltenham festival it should really be for the best animals.

Using the county as an example
The lower rated 120's and 130 rated horses should really earn their way into the festival handicaps with wins or big runs in other big handicaps during the season or their career.
And those rated in the late 130's, low 140's should really be sweating (and maybe running more) than they do these days.

I agree, what he says make a lot of sense

He rarely speaks in public so when he does we should all listen and especially the decision makers


In addition Dinnens rant at the end of Upping the Ante this week, which was about the changes to the festival, also seemed sensible….ie why have the 5lbs Mares allowance removed from the Mares novice hurdle and not the Mares Chase?, why change the Turners chase to a handicap and not the Turners hurdle ?, he thinks some novice chasers stuck between the 2m and 3m distances will miss the festival and go to Aintree and he thinks you will get rags win the Cross Country

[Kevloaf]

Thanks mate. Was looking to back Waterford Whispers but he isn't listed so took the any race price of 12/1.

In a rush to get him backed?

[robith]

Reminds me (embarrassingly so) of years gone by. I’ve been a Cheltenham member for close on 50 years. I thought I knew the lay out etc. Me and a mate always went into the Sovereign Bar. But it used to get pretty hectic in there even though the views from the stand is excellent. Anyway we would often look at the Insurance bar stand and wonder how much extra you would need to pay to get in there. After many years we asked the question and were amazed to find we had been entitled to go in there for years! Talk about red faces!

I had the opposite experience - took the Mrs to the festival for the first time and we were talking about how good the view from Tatts was and why would you bother paying extra for Club?

Turned out we have accidentally walked into Club lol

[OverTheLast]

Reminds me (embarrassingly so) of years gone by. I’ve been a Cheltenham member for close on 50 years. I thought I knew the lay out etc. Me and a mate always went into the Sovereign Bar. But it used to get pretty hectic in there even though the views from the stand is excellent. Anyway we would often look at the Insurance bar stand and wonder how much extra you would need to pay to get in there. After many years we asked the question and were amazed to find we had been entitled to go in there for years! Talk about red faces!

Haha very good.

£95 for a ticket on Sat there (club entrance and racecourse view) .. in my opinion it is well worth the money. The view is excellent, no queues at bar and a bookie in your bar (Star Sports at the weekend)

Appreciate others prefer racing for getting to parade ring etc but at Cheltenham I think it's a great experience being upstairs and in the stand.

£195 for Tuesday of the Festival.

[OverTheLast]

On another note .. and certainly not blowing my own trumpet as I bet more than enough losers..

But is there a better feeling than studying a race and reading it nearly perfectly and backing the winner?! It's a totally unique feeling and to be enjoyed as rarely happens!

[Istabraq]

But is there a better feeling than studying a race and reading it nearly perfectly and backing the winner?! It's a totally unique feeling and to be enjoyed as rarely happens!

Only thing better is having the bet on course, holding your hands out while the bookie counts out a pile of notes, way better than clicking a few buttons and seeing your account balance change.
Can't tell you the fun I had at HQ last Fri/Sat....

[OverTheLast]

Only thing better is having the bet on course, holding your hands out while the bookie counts out a pile of notes, way better than clicking a few buttons and seeing your account balance change.
Can't tell you the fun I had at HQ last Fri/Sat....

Agree totally

[Faugheen_Machine]

In a rush to get him backed?

Always. Not sure he's had a chase entry yet but HDB said fences is the plan so should be entered up in the next week or so.

[riccirich]

Only thing better is having the bet on course, holding your hands out while the bookie counts out a pile of notes, way better than clicking a few buttons and seeing your account balance change.
Can't tell you the fun I had at HQ last Fri/Sat....

And then looking over your shoulder in fear for the rest of the race day, since about 20 people saw you collect and know you have a wad of cash in your pocket

[Guinness Village]

I’ve bought a hospitality table at the festival on the Wednesday at a charity auction. Some of the guests are members and so I will have a few spare club badges. I’ll know more nearer the time, but potentially have a few free to fat jockeys.

[Magpie]

I’ve bought a hospitality table at the festival on the Wednesday at a charity auction. Some of the guests are members and so I will have a few spare club badges. I’ll know more nearer the time, but potentially have a few free to fat jockeys.

To far for me to get to, but I know you offered a ticket before, and then maybe offering more, just wanted to say what a top bloke you are mate.

[Eggs]

….weather continues to be very cold and frosty here on Merseyside ahead of Betfair day at Haydock.

[Yosser]

….weather continues to be very cold and frosty here on Merseyside ahead of Betfair day at Haydock.

You seen the forecast for Saturday eggs? Leave the brolleys at home, you will need tarpaulin. Good old Haydock. It was like that one year on sprint cup day, it lashed down all day and couldn't see the track so i went down towards the winning post to see what was coming across the line and i was the only person down there, pint re-filling with rain and as i turned to go back, Tanya Stevenson came out of the gloom holding her channel 4 microphone looking very miserable, i was going to say hello but thought better of it

[Eggs]

You seen the forecast for Saturday eggs? Leave the brolleys at home, you will need tarpaulin. Good old Haydock. It was like that one year on sprint cup day, it lashed down all day and couldn't see the track so i went down towards the winning post to see what was coming across the line and i was the only person down there, pint re-filling with rain and as i turned to go back, Tanya Stevenson came out of the gloom holding her channel 4 microphone looking very miserable, i was going to say hello but thought better of it

…ha, ha, I did notice it warming as Saturday progresses and forecast rain. I suppose the issue is whatever happens today and tomorrow with temperatures hardly getting above freezing. Hopefully no more snow