Cheltenham Festival
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15 Feb 15
07:51
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Date Joined:
01 Nov 07
While we are all getting excited to the build up of our favourite week of the year,i thought it's time to put into perspective our near misses to give us that extra ummff and kick up the arse to study more and get us over the line with some winners after past exploits.To get you going two of mine spring to mind.
Supreme Novice...Backed Best Mate like defeat was out of the question and so race day comes along and i was mega confident.Went and stood by the last flight thinking he would be clear by then to shout him in.As they came by i still thought i was ok and was screaming the bugger home until the roar took over the commentary and some 6ft odd bloke started jumping in front of me.Couldn't see,couldn't hear,what the hell was going on.Then that almighty sinking feeling when i eventually see that sodding Sausalito Bay had got there.DEVO and ruined my whole festival that year
.And secondly which needs no introduction or explanation,i was stood with my girlfriend (now wife) on the steps shouting oi oi all the way from the bottom bend having had a real good bet on......MALJIMAR 
Lets hear um
Supreme Novice...Backed Best Mate like defeat was out of the question and so race day comes along and i was mega confident.Went and stood by the last flight thinking he would be clear by then to shout him in.As they came by i still thought i was ok and was screaming the bugger home until the roar took over the commentary and some 6ft odd bloke started jumping in front of me.Couldn't see,couldn't hear,what the hell was going on.Then that almighty sinking feeling when i eventually see that sodding Sausalito Bay had got there.DEVO and ruined my whole festival that year
.And secondly which needs no introduction or explanation,i was stood with my girlfriend (now wife) on the steps shouting oi oi all the way from the bottom bend having had a real good bet on......MALJIMAR Lets hear um
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Oh god Maljimar....think I've got a headache coming on
Had a double paying over 1,000/1 on Rooster Booster in the Champion Hurdle (won) and Tuckers Tavern in the Gold Cup. Wouldn't have minded Best Mate being second that day!
Refinement, last to first up the Cheltenham hill,took the lead last 50 yards.......and lost!!
Boston Bob..watching the race with the missus,she was fully aware that it was a massive race for me both in anti post singles and accies. Between the second last and last had seen on the machine it had gone odds on and leapt in the air screaming come on you b@stard...wife spilt her tea,cat ran up the curtains and a couple of seconds later I was banging my head on the wall.....really struggled with the rest of the festival as I couldn't shrug off the image of him hitting the deck
ok I'll say it, hide your eyes bumper fans... in fact I can't write it down fully, it still hurts.... my brother and I still call that day Black Wednesday, long shots seemed to be getting in the way all day.
Rh...st.ne C....boy
Rh...st.ne C....boy
It's easy to crack on about the one you fancy falling or being beaten by another horse in the last 50 yards.
Oscar Delta in the Foxhunters was beaten by himself - that's how unlucky I was!
I figure I'm still owed an ocean's worth of good karma after that!
:)
Oscar Delta in the Foxhunters was beaten by himself - that's how unlucky I was!
I figure I'm still owed an ocean's worth of good karma after that!
:)
I feel your pain Rog......
That was a sore Festival. I'd already had several bits of unbelievable bad luck that season, including Outlaw Pete @ 33's and bigger, who ran out at the last with the race run at Cork that winter.
In the lead up to the Festival, I had bet Katenko at huge odds on here to get 32k, and the way his odds were tumbling, I reckoned he was due to go to off 12's. He was around 20's on here when he got Colic less than a fortnight before the race...........that wasn't good and although I had laid off a few quid on him, I was waiting till nearer the day to lay off properly.
I consoled myself though with the £18 I had on Sunnyhill Boy @ 1000's, and going into the day before the race, I was very hopeful, and at the very least he was getting bet as well, he was as low as 16's, 18's. Then of course, Davy Russell got injured, leaving Sunnyhill Boy to get a convenient "knock", allowing AP to jump on to Russell's mount in The Gold Cup, Sir Des Champs. I hadn't laid off a single bean on Sunnyhill.
That Gold Cup just passed me by, I was gutted, but very keen on one in The Foxhunter, so brushed myself off, and had a good go at Oscar Delta in the next @ 28's. When he jumped the last clear, that bad luck was quickly forgotten, I was going mad, jumping about like a Kangaroo sh4gging a Spacehopper, what a feeling, and I felt I deserved a wee change of luck. What could possibly go wrong
Was very glad to see the back of that Festival.
After the Festival, I looked at a few future targets, and I had marked one down to follow who looked as if he had just been out for a stroll on The Tuesday in the Novices Hcap........not easy to spot one like this at The Festival, but Nataani looked one to keep on side of next time. Cue Taunton a week and a half later, and I piled in at 20's and 25's in the morning, he gets well gambled..............my lucks changed, and he's 10 length clear, and going further ahead at the last with the race in the bag. What Happened Next?
Was very glad to see the back of that Season.
That was a sore Festival. I'd already had several bits of unbelievable bad luck that season, including Outlaw Pete @ 33's and bigger, who ran out at the last with the race run at Cork that winter.
In the lead up to the Festival, I had bet Katenko at huge odds on here to get 32k, and the way his odds were tumbling, I reckoned he was due to go to off 12's. He was around 20's on here when he got Colic less than a fortnight before the race...........that wasn't good
and although I had laid off a few quid on him, I was waiting till nearer the day to lay off properly.I consoled myself though with the £18 I had on Sunnyhill Boy @ 1000's, and going into the day before the race, I was very hopeful, and at the very least he was getting bet as well, he was as low as 16's, 18's. Then of course, Davy Russell got injured, leaving Sunnyhill Boy to get a convenient "knock", allowing AP to jump on to Russell's mount in The Gold Cup, Sir Des Champs. I hadn't laid off a single bean on Sunnyhill.
That Gold Cup just passed me by, I was gutted, but very keen on one in The Foxhunter, so brushed myself off, and had a good go at Oscar Delta in the next @ 28's. When he jumped the last clear, that bad luck was quickly forgotten, I was going mad, jumping about like a Kangaroo sh4gging a Spacehopper, what a feeling, and I felt I deserved a wee change of luck. What could possibly go wrong
Was very glad to see the back of that Festival.
After the Festival, I looked at a few future targets, and I had marked one down to follow who looked as if he had just been out for a stroll on The Tuesday in the Novices Hcap........not easy to spot one like this at The Festival, but Nataani looked one to keep on side of next time. Cue Taunton a week and a half later, and I piled in at 20's and 25's in the morning, he gets well gambled..............my lucks changed, and he's 10 length clear, and going further ahead at the last with the race in the bag. What Happened Next?
Was very glad to see the back of that Season.
1. Champagne Fever - Arkle. Backed him at 6/1, but also had a shed load of BetVictor's NRFB money on him, due to a couple of non runners in the Champion Hurdle and Supreme that year. All in all, I've never had that much money on a single horse in my life, and to say I was p1ssed off was an understatement.
2. Well Chief - Champion Chase. He would have won that if even 50% of his best, and was devastated when he fell (had no money on him). My favourite horse of all time, and I'm still gutted that he never got that elusive QMCC win. His second against Master Minded after almost 700 days off was one of the proudest moments I've had on a racecourse though.
Other ones where I've been on one winning towards the end include Boston Bob (RSA), Oscars Well (Neptune) and Maljimar (William Hill), but those three don't come anywhere near as close as the top two.
2. Well Chief - Champion Chase. He would have won that if even 50% of his best, and was devastated when he fell (had no money on him). My favourite horse of all time, and I'm still gutted that he never got that elusive QMCC win. His second against Master Minded after almost 700 days off was one of the proudest moments I've had on a racecourse though.
Other ones where I've been on one winning towards the end include Boston Bob (RSA), Oscars Well (Neptune) and Maljimar (William Hill), but those three don't come anywhere near as close as the top two.
I was going mad, jumping about like a Kangaroo sh4gging a Spacehopper
Although painful stories, some great memories there. There truly is nothing like the Cheltenham festival, flat or jumps, nothing comes remotely close!
I fancied Commanche Court for the Gold Cup all season.
Almost every week I was backing him antepost at 33/1 each way.
Got a nice return , but thought I was on for the jackpot until he belted the second last .
I still think he would have beaten Best Mate but for it.
Almost every week I was backing him antepost at 33/1 each way.
Got a nice return , but thought I was on for the jackpot until he belted the second last .
I still think he would have beaten Best Mate but for it.
Too many from a punting perspective to mention! Many mentioned on this thread...
But it would have to be Catch Me in the Ballymore. As part owner, watching him come off the final bend to join the eventual winner Massini's Maguire.... My knees went to jelly and I honestly thought I was going to pass out. You could tell EoG was very confident pre race and for a man with his record at the Festival, you just had to believe... But I just couldn't imagine him winning. Until he came around that bend to virtually take it up!
Have never felt a feeling coming close to it on a racecourse. Still think he would have won the Supreme that year
But it would have to be Catch Me in the Ballymore. As part owner, watching him come off the final bend to join the eventual winner Massini's Maguire.... My knees went to jelly and I honestly thought I was going to pass out. You could tell EoG was very confident pre race and for a man with his record at the Festival, you just had to believe... But I just couldn't imagine him winning. Until he came around that bend to virtually take it up!
Have never felt a feeling coming close to it on a racecourse. Still think he would have won the Supreme that year
From a betting perspective, it would have to be Nick Dundee. I had literally gone mad, backing him as if defeat was out of the question. The way he was travelling coming down the hill, running all over a future Gold Cup horse was something else. Probably one of my saddest days at the Festival as it was clear he was touch and go to ever race again that day. And EoG was distraught
Pressgang in the bumper about 10yrs ago. We were all on at 25/1. Looked all over the winner then veered across the width of the track to come stands side losing numerous lengths. Got chinned by a head.
Barely a word spoken in the car journey home.
Barely a word spoken in the car journey home.
I'm not having that CCM!!
No way was ND 'running all over' Looks Like Trouble. Too far out to say who would have won but you don't win a Championship race by a distance and not be a bloody good horse (like LLT did).
No way was ND 'running all over' Looks Like Trouble. Too far out to say who would have won but you don't win a Championship race by a distance and not be a bloody good horse (like LLT did).
Denman in the RSA Novices Hurdle as it was then would be my biggest losing bet. Foolishly dismissed Nicanor primarily on basis of trainer's poor Festival record hitherto. What makes it worse is that after following up in the Grade 1 novice hurdle over 2.5 miles at Punchestown, Nicanor won only one more race in his career.
With nine years' hindsight, the trip and hurdles were never going to play to Denman's strengths.
Have avoided the shorties in the novice events ever since and will continue to do so, the regret at missing out when they win is outweighed by the memory of the embarrassment of a big losing bet on a shortie in a 17 runner novice event!
With nine years' hindsight, the trip and hurdles were never going to play to Denman's strengths.
Have avoided the shorties in the novice events ever since and will continue to do so, the regret at missing out when they win is outweighed by the memory of the embarrassment of a big losing bet on a shortie in a 17 runner novice event!
Roger. I can't find the video but must have watched it 20 times and that's how I remember it. Looks Like Trouble was already being pushed along and Nick Dundee was literally cantering. Would love to be proved wrong if anyone can find the video!
Remember Norman Williamson asking for a big-ish one when there was just no need at the trickiest fence on the course
Remember Norman Williamson asking for a big-ish one when there was just no need at the trickiest fence on the course
Ouninpohja 2007 County Hurdle when somehow managed to get nailed by perdrobob jumped the last as if he'd only joined in (as was famously his want) only to down too (as was also his want) on the run in
not really unlucky just horses i thought were going to win,
impek ryanair went cantering to nothing in a stride
jair de cochet rsa french jock we,ll leave it at that
punchestown stayers purely because cattermole said drever was going nowhere before pishing up
refinement ,tough one to take as gutted as ap,
onthe plus side i was on ouninphoja and pedrobob both ew,had backed walsh antepost ans some irish lads the night before said they,d been wiped out but would have had a large bet on pedro
impek ryanair went cantering to nothing in a stride
jair de cochet rsa french jock we,ll leave it at that
punchestown stayers purely because cattermole said drever was going nowhere before pishing up
refinement ,tough one to take as gutted as ap,
onthe plus side i was on ouninphoja and pedrobob both ew,had backed walsh antepost ans some irish lads the night before said they,d been wiped out but would have had a large bet on pedro
Attaglance last year when Hughes decided to go inside instead of outside which clearly cost him the race.
Toner D'oudairies in Martin Pipe 2012, had him with Salsify and Synchronised in doubles and trebles for just over 15k, beaten by attaglance, Malcolm Jefferson hadn't had a winner at the festival for about 20 years, his first the day before was cape tribulation beating catch me, cost my father 8k, needless to say Malcolm wasn't on the christmas card list that year in our family
Can anyone remember the name of one ridden by Roger Loughran that was incredibly unlucky to lose?
rogerthebutler
15 Feb 15 17:44
I'm not having that CCM!!
No way was ND 'running all over' Looks Like Trouble. Too far out to say who would have won but you don't win a Championship race by a distance and not be a bloody good horse (like LLT did).
rogerthebutler, I'm very much with CCM on this. Good as LLT was, Nick Dundee was hosing up. It was common knowledge after the race that Carberry and Williamson had chatted as they went clear and Carberry had admitted he was done. Sure someone can probably find a report that acknowledges that.
My worst Festival feeling was having a £1,000 ante-post double on Denman RSA Chase (7/1, landed) running on to Black Jack Ketchum for the Stayers for £24,000 return. Don't think he made it beyond the second flight before hitting the deck. Thought he was the second coming at the time so was utterly sick. Only in time when I saw how crap he had become did I realise he probably wouldn't have stood a chance anyway. But it would have been nice to find out and get a run for my money.
15 Feb 15 17:44
I'm not having that CCM!!
No way was ND 'running all over' Looks Like Trouble. Too far out to say who would have won but you don't win a Championship race by a distance and not be a bloody good horse (like LLT did).
rogerthebutler, I'm very much with CCM on this. Good as LLT was, Nick Dundee was hosing up. It was common knowledge after the race that Carberry and Williamson had chatted as they went clear and Carberry had admitted he was done. Sure someone can probably find a report that acknowledges that.
My worst Festival feeling was having a £1,000 ante-post double on Denman RSA Chase (7/1, landed) running on to Black Jack Ketchum for the Stayers for £24,000 return. Don't think he made it beyond the second flight before hitting the deck. Thought he was the second coming at the time so was utterly sick. Only in time when I saw how crap he had become did I realise he probably wouldn't have stood a chance anyway. But it would have been nice to find out and get a run for my money.
Can't believe Roger the Butler is taking on RogertheButler 
Deise 59
I was on both Cape Tribulation and Attaglance that year.
You're welcome! :)
In all seriousness if Jefferson sends one to the Festival, it's never there just for a day out.
I was on both Cape Tribulation and Attaglance that year.
You're welcome! :)
In all seriousness if Jefferson sends one to the Festival, it's never there just for a day out.
Thanks Rodger, the joys of the festival, I'll always remember watching TONER 4/5 furlongs out and thinking this is travelling so well, everytime I've watched the race still think he's going to win, suppose better to be hitting crossbars than getting nowhere near the goal
living in London at the time, I nipped out of work to watch the gold cup and had a fiver in my pocket and decided to stick it on one of the two big outsiders, flipped a coin...heads The Bakewell Boy...tails Norton's Coin...it came down heads of course.
Backed keen leader to win Sun alliance hurdle,swinging off the steel coming to the 2nd last,then fell,never been so gutted,would have won a gold cup if it didn't fall that day !
That Keen Leader fall was savage. He face planted the turf.
Had Seemore Business 40/1 when he was carried out in the Gold Cup and was 5/1. Also same price on Valiramix when he sadly came down on the flat when about to hose up at 3/1 in the Champion Hdle. Spoilt that Cheltenham with him being fatally injured, was gutted.
Dunguib like so many before him and after him (douvan) talked up like the new pegasus in the supreme don't usually back ante post that much but had dabbled him all season before watching him being kept well wide all the way round and never really looked like winning in the end in all honesty! So not even a **** tease! Seeing these good things coming up short is tempting me to lay douvan this year! On a happier note backed our conor big time 2 years ago and couldn't believe my eyes :) and to top it off had a acca that day with him bobs worth and salsify major lucky day that day! That was easily my best festival that year all started with champagne fever in the supreme and carried on from there :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dVvVVkDGCw
Got curious about the Nick Dundee stuff so just watched the 1999 RSA Chase for the first time ever there. Did Norman Williamson get much stick for that? It's all on him, he completely choked in the heat of the moment.
That poor horse must have been terrified flying down the hill at that speed and then gets asked to take off so far out.
Got curious about the Nick Dundee stuff so just watched the 1999 RSA Chase for the first time ever there. Did Norman Williamson get much stick for that? It's all on him, he completely choked in the heat of the moment.
That poor horse must have been terrified flying down the hill at that speed and then gets asked to take off so far out.
He definitely did tucho. I was with connections that night, and he was not a popular man.
Awful to watch that again and see him unable to put his hind leg down... a miracle he ever raced again really.
Still think he was running all over LLT though!
Still think he was running all over LLT though!
Just watched it again and with benefit of hindsight nobody can tell me Nick Dundee would have won. In all probability I would say he would have been second but a real shame he had to come down. Thankfully he survived.
2006 World Hurdle - had a good bet (£200 back then for me was very big) on Golden Cross at 7/1, Johnny Murtagh on board. I was convinced coming up the straight he'd get the better of My Way de Solzen with Floor-it-Thornton on board, however I think I had the wrong Jock as Murtagh didn't get him away from the last well and he lost a fraction of momentum. I still thought he had won, standing in the Best Mate enclosure just past the post - cheering like a loon until I turned and saw the big screen - beaten a head! Felt a right d*ck, nevermind my bet having gone down the pan !!
Sizing Europe being chinned by Finian's Rainbow is mine in 2012, ever since Wishfull thinking fell into that photographer and they had to exclude the final fence I have always hated that horse 
still think that if they had been forced to jump the last Sizing would have won his 2nd CC as he jumped like a stag and was gaining ground at every fence, he had to take evasive action going round the last. Many will disagree though
still think that if they had been forced to jump the last Sizing would have won his 2nd CC as he jumped like a stag and was gaining ground at every fence, he had to take evasive action going round the last. Many will disagree though
Many will disagree though
Not least the stable lad at Hendo's yard who won a million pound accumulator that week. Finians was leg 4 of 5 I think. Riverside Theatre finished it off and won after running like a drain. Can't complain about his Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig, and Bobs Worth picks though.
Not least the stable lad at Hendo's yard who won a million pound accumulator that week. Finians was leg 4 of 5 I think. Riverside Theatre finished it off and won after running like a drain. Can't complain about his Sprinter Sacre, Simonsig, and Bobs Worth picks though.
Shockster. I agree we will never know. Intrigued you think ND wouldnt have won though...Do you say that because you know LLT stayed well? There was surely no question who was travelling much the best?
His jock looks behind him as they approach the downhill fence to check he's Ok for second imo!
Who knows what he was checking for? Did he think he had ND covered? He went on to win a good Gold Cup by thoroughly staying (He got a reminder after the water in that) and flew up the hill.
He won by a distance after poor Nick fell and unlikely IMO that both would have kept going, I accept that visually when Nick came down he appeared to be the one going better. Injury robbed us of seeing more of LLT as well. Very tough sport.
He won by a distance after poor Nick fell and unlikely IMO that both would have kept going, I accept that visually when Nick came down he appeared to be the one going better. Injury robbed us of seeing more of LLT as well. Very tough sport.
I was being facetious about the look back! Fair enough, cant argue with any of that
Haha, it's all about opinions and we're still arguing about RSA 16 yrs ago.
Spot on. Hopefully catch you at Rib's stand for a pint this year Rog and we can finish this argument in person!
Yeah - be good for a catch up at The Fez.
Couple of other blokes from 'The Spurs Files' on the Football Forum 9Anorak and Mr Eboue) I think go to the Fez too and seem decent types, even if Eboue is a Gooner, the poor sod!
Couple of other blokes from 'The Spurs Files' on the Football Forum 9Anorak and Mr Eboue) I think go to the Fez too and seem decent types, even if Eboue is a Gooner, the poor sod!
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