Cheltenham Festival
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Love the festival, and spend hours and hours reading opinions, form and cards. This year we couldnt go for the whole festival, but we were down there on Tuesday, with the rest of the week with a reserved table in the racing boozer in Liverpool City centre. I had a budget (not counting antepost and not counting hotels, trains and the ticket for the Tuesday, which were all prepaid) of about £500-600 for the festival, which is a lot to some, and half a bet to others, but a decent sum for me that should be ample for a good time over the four days, and as long as I didnt get everything wrong, and should be enough to get me through the 27 races having a few punts.
My mate and I have set a goal of doing L'etape du Tour in 2013 (its a stage of the Tour du France), but it requires serious training basically from now on. I had an idea that if the festival went right, I would buy a decent road bike and lose the weight I've been planning to get off for the last few years. Specifically, I had thought about spending £300-400 on a bike, and hopefully having enough left over for some decent antepost cracks at the Masters and the National.
The first 3 days were brilliant (you already know where this is going, dont you?). I had four of five strong opinions, and got them all pretty much spot on.
*I was convinced Cue Card was the one for the Arkle if Sprinter Sacre didnt turn out to be a machine and it ran a superb race. Backing it with ew PP at 8/1 and 9/1 (as a I did as my biggest antepost) meant I got my win bit back and my place bet paid out.
*I was keen to avoid Hurricane Fly and my only choice against it was Rock on Ruby. I wasnt all over it but had decent bets each way and without HF.
*I couldnt have Grand Crus and backed Bob's Worth at 5/1 antepost and again on the day at 9/2.
*Again, I could not have Peddlars Cross for all the money in the world, and thought Sir Des Champs was an absolute banker. I even got the forecast up with Champion Court.
*In the Ryanair, Riverside Theatre was the one, and I even managed to place lay Noble Prince and Rubi Light. Thought Great Endeavour would be the one challenging and was surprised it was Albertas Run, but I guess you cant get the first two in every race.
*I didnt get them all right, I lumped on Sizing Europe, and I was keen to avoid Big Buck's. Even then I managed to get one of my two place bets right (So Young and Smad Place done with Lads on their 1/2 1,2,3 terms).
*Had no strong feelings on the Gold Cup except a desire to oppose the front two. Ended up backing Burton Port and What a Friend.
So at about 3.45 on Thursday I was in a brilliant position, I must have been £500-£600 up, including spends, and I was absolutely flying. But then it went disastrously wrong. I lost any discipline I thought I had, and as the festival went on my stakes got bigger and bigger. So from a position where I was spending £20-£40 on races I had spent months thinking about to a position where I was chucking £80-£120 on races like the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe.
Other than Salut Flo in the Byrne Group Plate (chucked my £10 off Stan James for buying the Wetherbys Guide on it after David Carr tipped it up at a preview night) I didnt pick a single winner from the Coral Cup onwards. Finished up losing my budgeted for £500 and whilst that means I stayed within my means, it also means that from the position I was in I have absolutely done my conkers. The road bike will have to go on hold and my Masters and National fancies will have to wait, for now. There's a serious lesson in budget management in there, especially in terms of that feeling of sheer invincibility and upping steaks. Even in the Grand Annual, I was still expecting one of my two Eradicate or 5Livearghadargh to dot up. I'm not even going to mention the charge and bloody Olofi in the County Hurdle.
So a tale of woe from a serious mug. Managed to do come out without a penny to my name despite almost all my serious antepost views being accurate (ish).
Seriously grim this morning, although having nothing left in the gambling pot does have an upside of sorts; it means I can (or have to) now concentrate on spending proper time with the kids and missus instead of with my nose in the laptop/paper. I'll learn from this and move onwards and upwards. A mate has said he will lend me the cash for a bike, and I might take him up on that. Anyway, that was my festival. I hope that the rest of you had good festivals, and took the bookies to the cleaners. Feel free to share your festival stories.
Peace.
My mate and I have set a goal of doing L'etape du Tour in 2013 (its a stage of the Tour du France), but it requires serious training basically from now on. I had an idea that if the festival went right, I would buy a decent road bike and lose the weight I've been planning to get off for the last few years. Specifically, I had thought about spending £300-400 on a bike, and hopefully having enough left over for some decent antepost cracks at the Masters and the National.
The first 3 days were brilliant (you already know where this is going, dont you?). I had four of five strong opinions, and got them all pretty much spot on.
*I was convinced Cue Card was the one for the Arkle if Sprinter Sacre didnt turn out to be a machine and it ran a superb race. Backing it with ew PP at 8/1 and 9/1 (as a I did as my biggest antepost) meant I got my win bit back and my place bet paid out.
*I was keen to avoid Hurricane Fly and my only choice against it was Rock on Ruby. I wasnt all over it but had decent bets each way and without HF.
*I couldnt have Grand Crus and backed Bob's Worth at 5/1 antepost and again on the day at 9/2.
*Again, I could not have Peddlars Cross for all the money in the world, and thought Sir Des Champs was an absolute banker. I even got the forecast up with Champion Court.
*In the Ryanair, Riverside Theatre was the one, and I even managed to place lay Noble Prince and Rubi Light. Thought Great Endeavour would be the one challenging and was surprised it was Albertas Run, but I guess you cant get the first two in every race.
*I didnt get them all right, I lumped on Sizing Europe, and I was keen to avoid Big Buck's. Even then I managed to get one of my two place bets right (So Young and Smad Place done with Lads on their 1/2 1,2,3 terms).
*Had no strong feelings on the Gold Cup except a desire to oppose the front two. Ended up backing Burton Port and What a Friend.
So at about 3.45 on Thursday I was in a brilliant position, I must have been £500-£600 up, including spends, and I was absolutely flying. But then it went disastrously wrong. I lost any discipline I thought I had, and as the festival went on my stakes got bigger and bigger. So from a position where I was spending £20-£40 on races I had spent months thinking about to a position where I was chucking £80-£120 on races like the County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe.
Other than Salut Flo in the Byrne Group Plate (chucked my £10 off Stan James for buying the Wetherbys Guide on it after David Carr tipped it up at a preview night) I didnt pick a single winner from the Coral Cup onwards. Finished up losing my budgeted for £500 and whilst that means I stayed within my means, it also means that from the position I was in I have absolutely done my conkers. The road bike will have to go on hold and my Masters and National fancies will have to wait, for now. There's a serious lesson in budget management in there, especially in terms of that feeling of sheer invincibility and upping steaks. Even in the Grand Annual, I was still expecting one of my two Eradicate or 5Livearghadargh to dot up. I'm not even going to mention the charge and bloody Olofi in the County Hurdle.
So a tale of woe from a serious mug. Managed to do come out without a penny to my name despite almost all my serious antepost views being accurate (ish).
Seriously grim this morning, although having nothing left in the gambling pot does have an upside of sorts; it means I can (or have to) now concentrate on spending proper time with the kids and missus instead of with my nose in the laptop/paper. I'll learn from this and move onwards and upwards. A mate has said he will lend me the cash for a bike, and I might take him up on that. Anyway, that was my festival. I hope that the rest of you had good festivals, and took the bookies to the cleaners. Feel free to share your festival stories.
Peace.
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It's probably done you good to post this and one positive would be that you just lost the bugget you had set aside, so looking it as a week as a whole it is not all bad.
Strange thing this though, as I have often said on here, chasing your winnings can be as bad as chasing your losses, but people only talk about the second of these. |
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^ correct. Hardest thing - and only acquired over time imo - but discipline is everything. A Bank is a must. This must equate to x times Level stake bet, to cater for losing runs - and provide ' comfort blanket' so a not so losing run, doesn't cause a panic to set in. Consequently a bank worth 50 times level stake bet is suggested.
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Well done, Mary for such an honest account.
Just finished totting up and mine was almost reverse. Lost on each of first three days (a total of £500) but won £440 back yday helped by 80p worth of placepot and Brindisi Breeze (completely ignored the Boston Bob hype and assuaged my worries about ground by looking at his pedigree so particularly pleased with that one). Backed 5 winners and 7 places plus proportions of placepot on two of the days (was putting fairly large perms on - for me - but think the size of the pool makes it worth a go). Had a good go at Jackpot on Tuesday (out after leg one!) but don't regret that as it was my way of getting with the supposed good things. Was at Festival - Tues and Wed, most of my bets for Tues placed before I went but Wed difficult in handicaps because of poor each way terms on course - I backed two in most of the handicaps without success rather than betting ew on course. One of my thoughts this morning is that there will be people on here (we all know who they are) who took very dogmatic positions on certain horses and won't be seen again - for my part I could not have had Synchronised but would not be one to say he had 'no chance'. Humility and the ability to accept you get it wrong often are great assets for a punter - rather than blaming horse,jockey, trainer, media when it goes wrong - continue to work hard, learn from your mistakes and ignore the hype. So an average festival for me - and I thought probably an average festival overall as a spectacle. The best part possibly that the Ryanair was a great race which lived up to all competitive expectations - this race has really arrived now and should go from strength to strength. Good luck, all and on to Aintree. |
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Tuesday;Lost
Wednesday;Lost Thursday;Lost Friday;Lost Overall;Lost. |
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Hi Marychain, saw most of your posts and you were spot on in many races.
Line 2...."booked a table in racing boozer" Just wondering if you had ommitted that one line how your bank may have changed?,amazing how your perception can change with a just a few beers etc....a lesson I have learned the hard way and by choice I try to never combine the two when betting seriuosly. The positives in your case far outweigh the negs,you will be back!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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best thing you can do if punting and boozing is to
A-Put on all bets before said pub is visited B- Leave any card/Phone/Cash at home C-Put money behind the bar for eats and drinks |
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Easily done marychain. Have plenty of similar lack of discipline stories of could share!
Sounds like you had a good time though and you haven't lost any life changing amounts so keep your chin up mate. There will be a lot out there who have their conkers in far more spectacular fashion! In a few days time, you'll be back to looking forward to Chetenham 2013! |
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Good honest account Marychain, and apologies for the charge. I really thought the Betfair Hurdle was working out and if its any consoloation I lost a fair bit on Raya Star as well.
First three days were great for me. Pre season I only ever fancied Peddlers and Sprinter for the Arkle. Peddlers was my big singles bet @ 14/1, but covered it with Sprinter in a huge amount of multiples at 10/1 and 12/1, and layed off my Peddlers stake after Kempton. Luckily for me, I had Bobs Worth in nearly all of the luckies with Sprinter. I even said on here that Bobs Worth would be my lay of the meeting as well as didn't fancy him at all, even though I had him in several multiples. I strongly fancied Invictus to confirm the form of the Reynoldstown. So when Sprinter and Bob both won those luckies paid a fair amount - that was good judgement on Sprinter and just luck with Bobs Worth I think. Hurricane Fly was my biggest ever loss. Biggest bet I'd ever placed was Authorized a few years ago, £100, and he won, but Hurricane Fly cost me £80 in single bets. I had him in tasty doubles with Sprinter and Quevega as well. To be honest, I would never have picked Rock on Ruby, and was made up little Overturn ran a belter because I'd been a big supporter of him on here. Friday was a big loss for me. Only winner I had was Bellvano in a Lucky, but if Chapoturgen could have got up it would have been a different story. Balder Succes, Olofi, Raya Star, Mount Benbulben, Molotof and Eradicate didn't even give me a run for my money. Didn't have a bet in the Gold Cup but I think people are being harsh on Synchronised. I would never have backed him, but he was one of a very small number entering the race on an upward curve and to be fair to the horse he won going away. He might not be the best, but he is all heart and I was made up for JP and AP. Was also delighted to see Time for Rupert run a blinder - if I was an in-running player he would have been my choice 3 out. We all learn something every year, and mine is not to back antepost when the horses target is up in the air. This year I'd backed 1000 Stars for the Arkle, Captain Chris for the QMCC, Rubi Light for the Gold Cup, Simonsig for the Albert Bartlett, Cedre Bleu for the Arkle and Mon Parrain in the Ryanair - all money down the drain. Onto next year; I've already got Sprinter @ 14's QMCC, Last Instalment @ 50's Gold Cup, Sir Des Champs @ 12's Gold Cup and Spirit Son @ 20's Champion Hurlde. I think that puts me in a decent position already, but that will probably do for me until January 2013 now. Will be good to hear how other regular forum posters got on. The weeks leading upto the Festival this forum becomes a bit of a joke, but hopefully regular posters will be back on soon. |
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all best wishes to the OP
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Very refreshing to read such brutal honesty. It will do you good in the long run I bet.
The most important thing is initially you put the hours in and you were duly rewarded. You are in the minority I suspect, most people will not have won so much from their antepost bets. There is no reason whatsoever you can't do it again if you continue to work hard at it. You say it's a story of a festival mug but mugs don't work that hard. |
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Good lessons there marychain. I'm in a reverse position, scratching my head at how the hell I managed to come out in front! I went in with an Ante post book from hell, 4k down the drain much of it on Last Instalment in the RSA. Apart from 2 small place returns on Overturn and The Giant Bolster and a small saver bet on Hunt Ball my only three "real" winners were Sir Deschamps, Bobs Worth and Synchronised. But I finished ahead because they were by far my biggest bets of the week - the only other horse I put a decent sum on was Poquelin who was withdrawn.
To some extent this was because my discipline held up. Although I'm kicking myself still about not backing Bindrisi Breeze or Finians Rainbow as they were obvious bets for me with my usual strategy but I fancied Boston Bob who I had 3/1 AP and I have a horrid record in the Champion Chase which hit my confidence:( My staking strategy is more instinctive than anything but is based largely on the type of race and on where I know I have done well in the past. For me that means bigger stakes in chases than hurdles, much bigger stakes in Grade 1s than handicaps. No bet in the bumper or mares race, managed to talk myself into a small (losing) bet on the 4 miler though (again!). The only biggish bet I had in a handicap was Slieveardagh, the size of it based on the fact I've done well in that race over the years, the only other good handicap for me is the JLT race and I couldn't find a decent selection for it. Was still some way short of the stakes on the winners above and that was more than made up for by the fact I limited stakes on the Arkle this year. Planned to go back in on the day on Al Ferof and just couldn't bring myself to. Not because I didn't want to take on the favourite but because I was far from convinced I was taking it on with the right one! Anyway I ended up winning back my AP losses plus just over £1k so see it as a reasonable result even though it's my worst festival for three years! |
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Marychain.
I've enjoyed reading your posts on this forum. I'm sorry it didn't work out too well for you this year but you will learn from what you did wrong. I hope it doesn't lessen your enthusiasm for what will always be the pinnacle of our sport. Good luck. |
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tues - learnt more
wed - learnt more thur - learnt more fri - learnt more therefore up on week tues- alfie spinner and rock on ruby put me up ,lost 3 days .down 100 ish - which is brilliant really ,didnt go this year - watched it from a different perspective,what did i learnt concerning betting d,size of bets,drinking,chasing etc. this where what you read on here ,seems good sound advice ,but your not chasing just losses - your trying to stop it from ending,so try anything and everything to not let go, if you have 500 to bet then you either want to win a decent amount,or if you bugdeted 500 then you may as well risk 500,obviously waking up saturday morning with 600 would on saturday fell like a result,but when lost in the chelthenham euphoria - its harder, each person as his chasing determination level,and this is determind by many many factors,from how much you need the money,how much you think you read the form right,to not accept its over till its over,the more you study in the build up the more you think you can win. for me ,horse racing can be my only hobby,other hobbies(as does betting)all cost money,golf,going to football ,collection stamps etc,at least with betting you might get something back as well as the filling of time. as each year passes - i prefer the flat more,chelt will always be brillant,chelt hard a battle,the flat is more refined. given what we ve all posted - ultimately its all a crock of sh@t,because without everyone chasing there d be no horse racing or bookies. limiting number of bets is probably best stratedgy, my advice to anyone is ignore all advice and do what you feel is right,do to others what you wouldnt mind being done to you,and when things do go wrong for you ,and they will at sometime dont get angry become nicer and the worse it gets get even nicer,it wouldnt change owt but you ll feel better. |
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must admit I prefer the flat (for betting) and can punt almost daily on it
but during the winter I have had only a few decent sized bets at all, punted heavy at cheltenham but the most turnover was done by laying certain horses ante post and on the day, most of he racing apart from the decent trials days and one meeting on a Saturday are very poor from a punting point of view looking forward to Aintree then getting stuck into all those lovely 7 furlong to 10 furlong handicaps on the flat |
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judorick 17 Mar 12 16:57
'.......then getting stuck into all those lovely 7 furlong to 10 furlong handicaps on the flat.....' Agreed. I focus on Grade 1 Tracks and Class 1-3 handicaps( all distances). |
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I had a very mixed meeting but did come home in front, which is always a bonus.
I was huge on Finian's Rainbow, and mostly dodged the major bullets that hit some people (only got involved with two shorties, backing Quevega and Grands Crus). Riverside Theatre was a big winner for me, as was the Exacta on Sprinter and Cue Card, which was the only result I could see in the Arkle from weeks out. Low points were having decent bets on supposed handicap good things/plots Vendor and Toner D'oudairies, both of whom ran very well but couldn't quite get the job done. I had a bigger-sized bet than was advisable on Kauto Star, and lost a silly amount overall with little bets in the handicaps in which I didn't really have an opinion. A classic tale of value woe came when Salut Flo won the Byrne Plate. I watched the re-run of the December Gold Cup about 10 weeks ago and realised how well he was going in what turned into a sensationally strong handicap. Saw he was available at 20s on here, asked for 22s (why?) and didn't get matched. He hardened into 14s soon after, at which point I told myself I'd missed the value, especially as I didn't know whether he would get in, what the opposition would be like etc. Of course I still fancied him on the day but didn't back him and he clearly had a stone in hand. I would like to think I'll learn but who knows... Hope others enjoyed themselves... |
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Cheltenham gives you a chance to bet on high quality animals that are all trying(as near as damn it) at decent prices most of the jump season can go by as far as im concerned up until this point, apart from a couple of good quality events.
As for approaching it from a monetary point, id humbly suggest the following 1. Be confident, but budget for absolutely everything losing if you haven't a bank. This keeps it simple 2. Don't back anything under 3-1, i know this will be ridiculed, but its more mental than anything, this is more likely to get you in trouble because you CANNOT see a sequence of events that can happen, you are more likely to stake more, and more likely to look at another good thing to get it back, its competitive for a reason, these are all good animals, trying for their life and anything can be prone to an off day 3. You cant study everything for every race. Do some homework before the meeting, look at the race, if you dont fancy it you dont have to bet, on average id suppose that id bet in 1/2 the events, if you must, allot a bit extra for a fun multiple bet. 4. Dont take ratings to literally in the Novices or conditions race, these will have been gained mostly to events containing fewer runners run at a completely different scenario that they will be facing at the festival, DO take ratings seriously in handicaps, very few horses win over a mark of 145 there, they may finish placed but theres nearly always something lurking and in the last 20 odd years horses carrying 150 plus have only won one handicap 5. If you are going for a beano with pals, leave the card and phone at home, put your bets on before and just carry enough cash to get you fed and drunk  6. Get the Weekender next week, keep the cut out for a year and re read it, along with the results from the open and dec meetings, along with Leopardstown meeting, this will provide many clues 7. Enjoy it and dont let it become unaffordable because of your betting habits, its like swimming,stay in your depth |
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Oh and dont vary your stakes too much, no good having a 3-1 winner with 1/2 point on and have 10 Points on a loser, personally im on around a 1-4 scale per race and even thats probably too wide
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Cheltenham gives you a chance to bet on high quality animals that are all trying(as near as damn it) at decent prices most of the jump season can go by as far as im concerned up until this point, apart from a couple of good quality events.
yes spot on |
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tis called gambling i believe.............
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Level stakes every time. Adjusting after each month depending on size of bank.
I prefer the word investing myself.Gambling always implies 'recklessness'- which, when backing horses, you should never be. |
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its gambling,however you look at it.
unless of course you already know the results!! |
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Good post MC , after 15 years doing the three days as an annual seated member , the routine is totally different these days , get in around 3pm , watch Morning Line and previous days highlights , 4.20pm watch recorded races with any (rarely )interesting interviews , around 5.30pm try and watch last two on crappy computer with newspaper covering results. Rest of evening is studying and trend comparisons plus any betting still to do .
Small up this year , most satisfying run = Hisaabaat in Triumph , did all I expected of him , not his fault the winner went from beaten to sprouting wings. |
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Cheers for all your posts boys, agree with much of it. I didnt have a bet at all yesterday, and typically, the one thing I did fancy (Crewe to beat Swindon @ 16/5) won comfortably.
I've had a little look at the antepost markets for 2013 but think I'll avoid an anteposts this year unless something screams at me. One of the things I noticed was that many prices were at least as good one the day as they were in the weeks beforehand. I'll reload one of the accounts for Aintree and the Masters, but I'll be keeping it small, and building up slowly. And I wont be going to Aintree this year (shame as the Thursday especially is superb and its on the doorstep). But I'm going to buy my road bike this week, and training starts after for the Alps in 2013. |
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we watched the racing in benidorm which was good fun but telling the wife there was no need for me to go to the internet cafe to take the early price on son of flicka was a bit of a mistake
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Thought I would update this tale, a month on from the festival.
My cycling has taken off. Two weeks ago my mate and I took the plunge and bought our bikes. We both got Specialized Allez Sports, discounted from £750 to £585 and spent another £115 on helmets, gel shorts, arm and leg warmers, bottle holders and water bottles. This outlay should have been with my Cheltenham winnings, but you already know that story. Have been out on the bikes three times a week for the last fortnight. I've just got back from a ride which was probably about 8-10 miles. Not a massive ride, I grant you, but we have made large strides since we first got on them two weeks ago and struggled to do a mile or two. We still have the ambition of doing The Etape du Tour in 2013. link http://etape.org.uk/ We obviously need to do a hell of a lot of training before then but I havent had a ciggy since Cheltenham, have stopped drinking beer (have had the odd glass of wine), cut out the cakes and other crap and feel a hell of a lot better. Betting wise, I've had some small stakes pokes in the Masters (Westwood placed for me), The National (Sunnyhillboy placed) and the odd dabble in the football, but I'm not letting it rule my life, and I'm certainly not spending all day with my nose in the formbook. Anyway, a much happier state of affairs a month on.  |
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And were have you been with your kids and wife marychain
 ? Its not all about the cycling now! Excellent post from comingupthehill regarding when you lose try to be an even nicer person. I tried it after Sunnyhillboy almost won me a new set of golf clubs and a family holiday. My 6 year old son who was told to be quiet for the race said to me afterwards `its ok daddy you are nearly a wizard!` ..my luck changed for the better after that losing bet, because i feel i did not become frustrated and realised that the TV could be turned off and i took my son to the park for a kickabout. |
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good read marychain...and i do like honesty and good luck on the bike ride...andy schleck at 6-4 top 3 with victor could be a tad of value and may cover some expenses pal...if he could just improve his time trailing he will win a tour but that mountain stage did for him last year and the legs had nothing left...i love him and he says in his face everything i love about the tour de france...a great race...but good luck with your ride, my friend went up mount ventoux a couple of years ago for a stage but in a lift but said it was superb...hope to go myself in the next couple of years but am lazy so won't be riding anywhere
well it was a poor festival for me but didn't do any damage and was in front but peanuts and not enough for the time spent in the form book... sizing europe has cost me a lot...but fair play to finians who proved me wrong... have to say have learnt from previous festivals in regards getting to deep ante post although that theory was put to shame because restrained myself from taking the 25's on cinders and the 12's on sir des champs and both romped in...so need to reevaluate again apart from brindisi breeze and bobs worth who were my only winners for small stakes my staking was wrong, i over bet sizing and my festival was dependant on him doing the business (will learn) but was very heavy for me (380 ew) on becauseican'tsee ew at 16's for the kim muir and he clawed some back (i'm afraid the mcmanus horse had pounds to spare, thieves) and was on for the same bet ew on grumeti at 12's and 6's on the day (shame he injured himself in the lead up to the race as feel sure he would of won) but they both came up short... shame - if one of the 3 had gone my way it would of been very profitable week its a shame drinking is so much of a presence cheltenham week, as it can cloud your judgement, as can listening to people on the forum and not backing your judgement, i certainly would of done in regards cinders and have only myself to blame for missing this value angle...and if i'd listened to tomdeane i would of been on finians who was ew a pleasure at the 9-2 on the day a poor piece of judgement by myself...should of covered my big bet but felt sure sizing was a good thing... next year will be the first time i will be trying to find an angle into the gold cup ante post as think sir des champs is deplorable value... another year of poor staking though...wading has just added to the pain and confidence is low so am reducing stakes and am glad the flat is back...and am looking forward to taking frankel on with excelebration in the queen anne...love royal ascot more than cheltenham well chief - reading your piece - i thought you said bobs worth was awful value and couldn't jump when i said he was decent value for the rsa chase in one of the threads, so i find it funny you had such a change of heart and had it in a lot bets...amazing turn around of events ummmbut have enjoyed the cheltenham forum this year although i am tad brutal in my analysis, hopefully i haven't offended to many...be lucky for the year ahead and here is hoping the djoker can bring the money home in the majors...else the time spent on my miss aurelia will be wasted...be lucky |
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Luckily for me, I had Bobs Worth in nearly all of the luckies with Sprinter. I even said on here that Bobs Worth would be my lay of the meeting as well as didn't fancy him at all, even though I had him in several multiples.
Harry, yes I said that I thought Bobs Worth wouldn't win, and I have admitted that above. However, pre Christmas I had always said on here that he was my RSA horse; and I'd actually backed him straight after the Albert Bartlett, when I was big on him and Peddlers for the Arkle. It was after he got beat by Invictus I just thought he couldn't jump a fence, and thought he was a better hurdler - Hendo actually left him in the World Hurdle until the last minute. Yes, he won at the Festival but I stand by that 5/1 wasn't good value at the time. He'd been comfortably beaten by two of his chief rivals in the build up to the festival. I had him in several Lucky 15's with Sprinter, which were both at 10/1 (around March and April last year). None of the others in the Luckies won (Cap Chris - Champion Chase, Zarkandar - CH, Weapons Amnesty - GC, Long Run - GC), but because of the prices of Sprinter and Bob they turned a nice profit. I'd admitted on here that I'd backed Captain Chris for the CH Chase, but I wrote that bet off in December. wellchief • December 5, 2011 7:32 PM GMT well done zipee, great cause. For me: Arkle - Peddlers Cross RSA - Bobs Worth Gold Cup - Long Run (if you were doing an each way lucky, I'd give Rubi Light a squeek) Grand National - I'll let someone else answer that :-) Not that original I admit, because all are fav or 2nd fav, but hey, a winners a winner!!!! From a Ten to Follow Thread in September 2011 Struggling with the last one. Haven't got an out and out 2 mile chaser, an RSA horse and a B0ylesp0rts horse. I like Bobs Worth for the RSA, and I suppose Realt Dubh could possibly go down the 2mile route. However, I'm leaning towards Flat Out for 2m races in Ireland, and then over for the Champion Chase. Riverside Theatre is also one on my maybe list, along with Oscars Well. From a First Lieutenent thread in October wellchief • October 16, 2011 7:42 PM BST I think Bobs Worth is the one to beat in the RSA. However, at the moment its all about getting experience, but I would have expected him to win today, especially off level weights with the winner. FL couldn't have been too unfit if he only ran 14 days ago |
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fair play well chief must of not seen your other posts
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No probs mate.
As I've said above I think I just got really lucky with Bobs Worth, I would never have backed him on the day. I normally put on a couple of luckys straight after Cheltenham for the following year; but haven't done that this year - just done some singles instead to keep me going through the summer - Last Instalment, Spirit Son and Sprinter are my main ones,and a few small ones on Cotton Mill and Sir Des Champs. Also, I should have made it clearer that they were antepost Luckys. I didn't have any singles bets in the RSA. I backed Mossley and Invictus but both didn't run, but roared Bob home - never been so happy to be proved wrong. |
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Quick update on this.
4 and a half months since the festival, I haven't touched a ciggie, have all but given up drinking, and have made serious strides in my cycling. Down from 17 stone 4lb, the day I started this fred to 14 stone 1 lb this morning. On Monday me and my mate did the Whinlatter Pass, a Cat 3 climb and this evening we did the Cat & Fiddle, a Cat 2 climb. I'm doing my first sportive on Sunday, a 28 mile fun affair, and then follow that up with a 40 miler two weeks later and a 55 mile ride with Sean Kelly round the peak district on 7 October. Before the cycling season ends we also plan to have a week cycling up that Tenerife volcano and doing the Sea-to-Sea challenge. Still miles away from being able to do the Etape, but changed my life around since Gold Cup day. |
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Congratulations marychain, that's a genuinely heartwarming thing to read. Am very happy for you.
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Fantastic stuff Mary. Good on you.
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