Cheltenham Festival
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How do you balance your Festival funds with your personal/family funds?
I like to drip feed small amounts of my funds that won’t be missed into a personal account, and add to it with any bonus funds from work, any nice punting earners over the winter and then choose one or two antepost selections to build my festival around with the hope of hitting a big one (this year I’m all about the Cue Card AP). throughout the winter I have a target warchest which then determines the size of my bet and also how much I'll spend on food, beer and topless handjobs. But let’s face it: We all want the biggest warchest possible going into the Festival, and we all have different tactics of getting it:
Some will openly (in full sight of their understanding other half) put money away each month in a piggy bank or similar.
Some will even open a special savings account.
Some disciplined creatures will take the winnings of every NH bet and save it up.
Some will refuse to bet during March for fear of diminishing their warchest.
Some will refuse to acknowledge the impend carnival and carry on using very correct staking plans as normal all the way through until the Monday before.
Some (we all know them) will say at the last minute that they can't afford to go this year even though you've already bought their ticket and they owe you for it so you'll lend them money knowing you may (will) never see it again just because they're you're mate and it wouldn't be the same without them.
Some use their Antepost bets as their foundations (forgetting the losers) and add an extension on here or there where it’s appropriate.
So, what I want to know is…?
1) Is your stack protected or variable?
2) If its variable and you rock up on the Tuesday with a warchest that’s dependant on your bets at Limerick or Carlisle on the Monday or the poker games the night before or the mood of the missus, how have you got on when you’ve been on the start line of Festivals past?
I like to drip feed small amounts of my funds that won’t be missed into a personal account, and add to it with any bonus funds from work, any nice punting earners over the winter and then choose one or two antepost selections to build my festival around with the hope of hitting a big one (this year I’m all about the Cue Card AP). throughout the winter I have a target warchest which then determines the size of my bet and also how much I'll spend on food, beer and topless handjobs. But let’s face it: We all want the biggest warchest possible going into the Festival, and we all have different tactics of getting it:
Some will openly (in full sight of their understanding other half) put money away each month in a piggy bank or similar.
Some will even open a special savings account.
Some disciplined creatures will take the winnings of every NH bet and save it up.
Some will refuse to bet during March for fear of diminishing their warchest.
Some will refuse to acknowledge the impend carnival and carry on using very correct staking plans as normal all the way through until the Monday before.
Some (we all know them) will say at the last minute that they can't afford to go this year even though you've already bought their ticket and they owe you for it so you'll lend them money knowing you may (will) never see it again just because they're you're mate and it wouldn't be the same without them.
Some use their Antepost bets as their foundations (forgetting the losers) and add an extension on here or there where it’s appropriate.
So, what I want to know is…?
1) Is your stack protected or variable?
2) If its variable and you rock up on the Tuesday with a warchest that’s dependant on your bets at Limerick or Carlisle on the Monday or the poker games the night before or the mood of the missus, how have you got on when you’ve been on the start line of Festivals past?
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And anyone that gets this fred, how do you make sure you start stacked?
Fixed betting fund per day. Add an extra couple of hundred for food, train tickets, entry cost and beer for days I go to Cheltenham.
Usually put aside betting fund from winnings (if any) from previous year. If shortfall save the balance so much a month.
Forty
Usually put aside betting fund from winnings (if any) from previous year. If shortfall save the balance so much a month.
Forty
Myself and 3 mates have a £20 bet each every week, whatever we win throughout the year is split 4 ways. That's the betting fund (plus a few sneaky anti post investments along the way) If they all win its a month on the beach somewhere nice (they are all live at the minute)But when Ruby (oops) falls off one at the last it will be a weekend at skeggy
Variable warchest
I run my own company and have an understanding accountant, so basically I don't claim any expenses for all of December, January and February - then put in a claim the week before Cheltenham, hey presto, instant warchest!
My accountant now understands there's no point in badgering me to do my expenses for these months and is now resigned to the fact the monthly management reports have a hole in them until March
I run my own company and have an understanding accountant, so basically I don't claim any expenses for all of December, January and February - then put in a claim the week before Cheltenham, hey presto, instant warchest!
My accountant now understands there's no point in badgering me to do my expenses for these months and is now resigned to the fact the monthly management reports have a hole in them until March
Soon as the festival finishes i save all 10p,20p and 50p it soon builds up.And i buy all the tickets for 4 of us and only take the the money festival week.
Spooky that Rog. I do the exact same thing! Only this year Ive included November as well 
I save throughout the year, but also work my absolute nuts off over January so I get a big payday February and hence a brilliant March. Take a set amount per day
Try and save as and when I can in the year. Usually just have a really quiet Feb & March and take it out of my pay check. Either that or get the forecast up in the Eider haha
No planning whatsoever, no saving up, that's for more disciplined people than me, whatever I've got is whatever I've got.
Tend to take it as it comes but a couple of bits and pieces to prepare.
Any free bets post Christmas are used for Cheltenham antepost - the only antepost bets I have usually - but never in the NRNB races 'cos that's like taking out the same insurance policy twice.
The other one is for accommodation - if you stay at one of the franchises (I appreciate a lot of people don't), it's worth joining their loyalty scheme even if you only stay there for the Fez every year. Instead of paying for room normally - buy loyalty points to do so if they have an offer on - so with Holiday Inn for example, you could buy 60,000 points and get a bonus of 60,000 - effectively 4 rooms for the price of two - or even 8 rooms for the price of 4 depending which hotel you use.Obviously the rooms have to be available for you to pay with points. When I did it the room price worked out slightly cheaper too although that would n't be the case now probably because the pound has weakened (you have to pay for the points in dollars).
Any free bets post Christmas are used for Cheltenham antepost - the only antepost bets I have usually - but never in the NRNB races 'cos that's like taking out the same insurance policy twice.
The other one is for accommodation - if you stay at one of the franchises (I appreciate a lot of people don't), it's worth joining their loyalty scheme even if you only stay there for the Fez every year. Instead of paying for room normally - buy loyalty points to do so if they have an offer on - so with Holiday Inn for example, you could buy 60,000 points and get a bonus of 60,000 - effectively 4 rooms for the price of two - or even 8 rooms for the price of 4 depending which hotel you use.Obviously the rooms have to be available for you to pay with points. When I did it the room price worked out slightly cheaper too although that would n't be the case now probably because the pound has weakened (you have to pay for the points in dollars).
I read last year of someone who took £2k to the festival and if he returned with it in tact he locked it away until next year so whatever your war chest if you break even it's there for next year assuming of course you can afford to do that.
Personally save £1 coins into Berroca tubes they take £35 per tube do that for a year it mounts up or buy a £2 jar which can only be opened by breaking I think they take around £700 b fore full.
Coming from Scotland I try to keep the English notes for a while before the festival.
My mates and myself put in a fiver a week from Christmas for Lucky 15 or place pot bets on the day. It all stacks up quick if you can afford to do it and you are disciplined. Fun bets at an independent triple the odds one winner and bonus for four winners you just could get lucky for small stakes.
I am trying very very hard not to be lured by ante post bets and saving for on the day as place terms etc and just plain bookie greed means they do make good offers whereas ante post value is very very difficult to find.
Personally save £1 coins into Berroca tubes they take £35 per tube do that for a year it mounts up or buy a £2 jar which can only be opened by breaking I think they take around £700 b fore full.
Coming from Scotland I try to keep the English notes for a while before the festival.
My mates and myself put in a fiver a week from Christmas for Lucky 15 or place pot bets on the day. It all stacks up quick if you can afford to do it and you are disciplined. Fun bets at an independent triple the odds one winner and bonus for four winners you just could get lucky for small stakes.
I am trying very very hard not to be lured by ante post bets and saving for on the day as place terms etc and just plain bookie greed means they do make good offers whereas ante post value is very very difficult to find.
Can't Catch Me
Joined: 02 Apr 03
Replies: 22040
24 Feb 16 11:49
Spooky that Rog. I do the exact same thing! Only this year Ive included November as well Laugh
Phook me, that's some handicap 'sleeper' you must have spotted to be wading in with that much this time!
Joined: 02 Apr 03
Replies: 22040
24 Feb 16 11:49
Spooky that Rog. I do the exact same thing! Only this year Ive included November as well Laugh
Phook me, that's some handicap 'sleeper' you must have spotted to be wading in with that much this time!
Here's how you do it!
Be a big sulky baby when filling in a placepot at Doncaster.
Sit comfortably, let this story begin, also remember this, I find Flat Racing about as interesting as watching Songs of Praise all day whilst painting the entire house! ....know this or nothing truly wonderful can come of this story I'm about to tell...
Get's invited to Doncaster in April for a family party. VIP treatment, all friends and family, booze flowing and if I must watch the flat racing then whatever, I'll go to the bar - bloody fabulous day out!!
So, as usual, my brother sticks a placepot in front of me "fill it in, you never know your luck!". We do this religiously at Cheltenham and other jumps course but the f@@king flat??? Yawnsville.
Like a big sulky 2 year old... "I hate the flat, it's boring as hell, it's over in a minute, what a load of crap, any old sh*t will do, tick, tick, tick, whatever, tick, whatever... there done. Here's my 4 quid." Off I go to the bar.
1st race, no idea what I picked. It won!
2nd race, no idea what I picked. It won!
As this was happening, I'd happened to pick the winners by pure luck and from outside advice. All 6/1 + shots eway but little did I know my Placepot was chugging along nicely too :-
So...
3rd race, 2nd
4th race, 3rd
5th race, Won
STOP STOP!! Brother: "let me look at your placepot". Me: "here, it'll be sh*t anyway".
"Hmmm... you've 5 legs up! You've got a 14/1 shot, 6/1, 8/1, 6/4 Fav, 13/2 and apart from that fact all today's other favourites have lost and not in the top 3"
6th race, 2nd - you beauty!!!!!
So, of course, I love Flat Racing, what a wonderful exciting fun and marvellous thing it is.
We start guessing what the placepot would be... £150, £250, £120... well happy I was.
Off I trundles to the Tote Booth and hands in the ticket.
"Well done sir, you've won the placepot, not only that, you've won 2 lines!"
"How much, WOW ???!"
£431.15 per line!
FFS - get in there. That's £860 smackers for Cheltenham + £400 I'd won regardless of that on my eway bets.
And that my friend's is how to build a war chest by being a sulky baby
Be a big sulky baby when filling in a placepot at Doncaster.
Sit comfortably, let this story begin, also remember this, I find Flat Racing about as interesting as watching Songs of Praise all day whilst painting the entire house! ....know this or nothing truly wonderful can come of this story I'm about to tell...
Get's invited to Doncaster in April for a family party. VIP treatment, all friends and family, booze flowing and if I must watch the flat racing then whatever, I'll go to the bar - bloody fabulous day out!!
So, as usual, my brother sticks a placepot in front of me "fill it in, you never know your luck!". We do this religiously at Cheltenham and other jumps course but the f@@king flat??? Yawnsville.
Like a big sulky 2 year old... "I hate the flat, it's boring as hell, it's over in a minute, what a load of crap, any old sh*t will do, tick, tick, tick, whatever, tick, whatever... there done. Here's my 4 quid." Off I go to the bar.
1st race, no idea what I picked. It won!
2nd race, no idea what I picked. It won!
As this was happening, I'd happened to pick the winners by pure luck and from outside advice. All 6/1 + shots eway but little did I know my Placepot was chugging along nicely too :-
So...
3rd race, 2nd
4th race, 3rd
5th race, Won
STOP STOP!! Brother: "let me look at your placepot". Me: "here, it'll be sh*t anyway".
"Hmmm... you've 5 legs up! You've got a 14/1 shot, 6/1, 8/1, 6/4 Fav, 13/2 and apart from that fact all today's other favourites have lost and not in the top 3"
6th race, 2nd - you beauty!!!!!
So, of course, I love Flat Racing, what a wonderful exciting fun and marvellous thing it is.
We start guessing what the placepot would be... £150, £250, £120... well happy I was.
Off I trundles to the Tote Booth and hands in the ticket.
"Well done sir, you've won the placepot, not only that, you've won 2 lines!"
"How much, WOW ???!"
£431.15 per line!
FFS - get in there. That's £860 smackers for Cheltenham + £400 I'd won regardless of that on my eway bets.
And that my friend's is how to build a war chest by being a sulky baby
I like to try and fund the week with the proceeds of a few nice wins... This year Vaughn Taylor winning on the PGA tour the other week is paying for it, nice in running bet at 50/1 in the final round. Also Feb and March aren't council tax months so the equivalent amounts go in the pot too, missus is fine with that.
Used to do a fair few ante-post bets but I've pretty much stopped, ante-post betting not what it was I don't think. Mind, I do miss having a few decent picks tucked away whilst reading through all the views on here!
Used to do a fair few ante-post bets but I've pretty much stopped, ante-post betting not what it was I don't think. Mind, I do miss having a few decent picks tucked away whilst reading through all the views on here!
Once get new year out the way, start getting a few quid together, usual bank would be about 2k travelling down on the Monday morning, this is for betting, food, drink, taxis etc. Couple years back I went down with £2000 had £1800 on the Saturday after the festival, I class that as having a good week!
rogerthebutler 24 Feb 16 08:39 Joined: 01 Mar 03 | Topic/replies: 11,404 | Blogger: rogerthebutler's blog
Variable warchest
I run my own company and have an understanding accountant, so basically I don't claim any expenses for all of December, January and February - then put in a claim the week before Cheltenham, hey presto, instant warchest!
My accountant now understands there's no point in badgering me to do my expenses for these months and is now resigned to the fact the monthly management reports have a hole in them until March
Wish i could do that lol, i don't have my own business, i'm employed but claim expenses but they either have to be claimed within 2 weeks or lost forever
Basically i start analysing the form and markets from 1st Oct. Antepost is a big play for me for the fez. Always run a total on file so as not to go overbroke on a particular race. These grade ones are fairly easy to read from an early stand point really, a case can be made for most runners as early as this date as initial seasonal debuts plans are generally in the press by this time i.e paddy power meeting, Newbury, etc etc. Novices are much harder but a lot of the early play on them is governed by market/forum and press influences. Believe it or not, form for me comes a distant 4th.
I always avail myself to the offers i see as decent on the run up. Having said that i haven't touched any of sly bets offers and never do the pp ones, 28 days 27 26 and so on but i do like the laddies ones the week before, generally they have been doing well these past couple of years. I make sure i have £200 min on the Monday night and hit twitter and this forum for any push outs that might be on offer. I hit my local stans james for their racing post as soon as door opens and i analyze the price wise tables for ricks and offers. Then its off the baldys for his infamous pushes though again those are selective. Best way to spot what hes going to push is check what hes joint shortest on the night before.
The week before (Laddies) and the Tuesday morning has been and always will be fill the punters with lovely readies day for the bookies so that they stay in their shops for the rest of the week and spend even more. And i love them for it!
Variable warchest
I run my own company and have an understanding accountant, so basically I don't claim any expenses for all of December, January and February - then put in a claim the week before Cheltenham, hey presto, instant warchest!
My accountant now understands there's no point in badgering me to do my expenses for these months and is now resigned to the fact the monthly management reports have a hole in them until March
Wish i could do that lol, i don't have my own business, i'm employed but claim expenses but they either have to be claimed within 2 weeks or lost forever
Basically i start analysing the form and markets from 1st Oct. Antepost is a big play for me for the fez. Always run a total on file so as not to go overbroke on a particular race. These grade ones are fairly easy to read from an early stand point really, a case can be made for most runners as early as this date as initial seasonal debuts plans are generally in the press by this time i.e paddy power meeting, Newbury, etc etc. Novices are much harder but a lot of the early play on them is governed by market/forum and press influences. Believe it or not, form for me comes a distant 4th.
I always avail myself to the offers i see as decent on the run up. Having said that i haven't touched any of sly bets offers and never do the pp ones, 28 days 27 26 and so on but i do like the laddies ones the week before, generally they have been doing well these past couple of years. I make sure i have £200 min on the Monday night and hit twitter and this forum for any push outs that might be on offer. I hit my local stans james for their racing post as soon as door opens and i analyze the price wise tables for ricks and offers. Then its off the baldys for his infamous pushes though again those are selective. Best way to spot what hes going to push is check what hes joint shortest on the night before.
The week before (Laddies) and the Tuesday morning has been and always will be fill the punters with lovely readies day for the bookies so that they stay in their shops for the rest of the week and spend even more. And i love them for it!
Did pretty well last year to much smaller stakes.
Sounds crazy but im 24 years old and im always telling my mrs i should quit my job to make a living on here and i decided to take a punt and dedicate 9 months of my life with my mrs permission to back myself out of the job i really dont like.
I have personally not gambled on anything other than cheltenham since july when I started my ante post bets at just the £25 a week skybet to get free £5 bet a week and since August iv been betting 50% of my weekly pay every single week on antepost (non handicaps). Iv spent a ridiculous amount of time and stupid amount of money. And the constant checking of oddschecker is something I'm not going to miss in 3 weeks time.
Sounds crazy but im 24 years old and im always telling my mrs i should quit my job to make a living on here and i decided to take a punt and dedicate 9 months of my life with my mrs permission to back myself out of the job i really dont like.
I have personally not gambled on anything other than cheltenham since july when I started my ante post bets at just the £25 a week skybet to get free £5 bet a week and since August iv been betting 50% of my weekly pay every single week on antepost (non handicaps). Iv spent a ridiculous amount of time and stupid amount of money. And the constant checking of oddschecker is something I'm not going to miss in 3 weeks time.
Lol Decalec, why fork out the ridiculous daily fee for nothing more than a paper when you can read one for free at any of the countries many betting establishments 
How much is it now
£2.50? You can get just as much news on the free rp website or use sporting life and atr's websites. They are just as informative. The paper i only really use for the price tables, if someone were to start putting them on twitter i wouldn't even bother tbh, revs only puts the pw tips up now so i don't really bother looking there no more.
How much is it now £2.50? You can get just as much news on the free rp website or use sporting life and atr's websites. They are just as informative. The paper i only really use for the price tables, if someone were to start putting them on twitter i wouldn't even bother tbh, revs only puts the pw tips up now so i don't really bother looking there no more.
STS - are the price tables actually any use though? Can you not just use oddschec**r from the comfort of your bed?
Not if your a price thief like me, u bet online only betting the ricks of which went the night before (only on races where pw has had a tip in) and you account will last all of about 5 mins) see the books don't only push back Mr Sea gull's tips, but they push out every runner in that race that has been cut since the paper went to press.
Not for everyone i know as some of you want to stake huge amounts but i am fine with my £25's.
This is one way ive managed to keep online accounts fully live. One that was shut last year i wont name them but had 2 £25 each way bets, ante post i must add, price taken from one of these tables, shut after the race!
Not for everyone i know as some of you want to stake huge amounts but i am fine with my £25's.
This is one way ive managed to keep online accounts fully live. One that was shut last year i wont name them but had 2 £25 each way bets, ante post i must add, price taken from one of these tables, shut after the race!
Regarding the racing post - I've had the racing post iPad app free for 30 days for the last 3 festivals, because every device is allowed it once, luckily enough last couple of years there's been a new iPad in the house and I've used it to get free acces, so use your Mrs,sons, daughters tablets!!
Feb 24, 2016 -- 5:06PM, scooby91 wrote:
Did pretty well last year to much smaller stakes. Sounds crazy but im 24 years old and im always telling my mrs i should quit my job to make a living on here and i decided to take a punt and dedicate 9 months of my life with my mrs permission to back myself out of the job i really dont like. I have personally not gambled on anything other than cheltenham since july when I started my ante post bets at just the £25 a week skybet to get free £5 bet a week and since August iv been betting 50% of my weekly pay every single week on antepost (non handicaps). Iv spent a ridiculous amount of time and stupid amount of money. And the constant checking of oddschecker is something I'm not going to miss in 3 weeks time.
Scooby, you've got some set of balls!! 50% of your weekly wage since August on ante-post markets at Cheltenham, the thought of it scares me!! Best of luck mate, hope you get a good return on your investment.
Regarding RP and price tables. funny that SJ aren't part of these table and push back their prices yet that STS goes to their shop to take advantage. More fantasy
roobuck 
There are 4 stan james establishments in the country that offer to match best price in the village. They also do treble the odds on one winner luckies, the only one in the town i hasten to add. One of them is in my town of North Shields! They know what they are doing and are very careful of whom and what they match, i.e anyone can ask for a price match to almost any stake but they wont lay an offer price or a pw tip. They match Korals, hills and lads via oddschecker.
In fact of all the years i have been following horses this is by far and away the best shop for atmosphere and just genuine banter i have ever had the fortune to give my custom to. Like i said they wont match pw tips or big ricks, i do have to walk to these firms for them, but as i am not the only guy who does this in this town, sj staff included, it is easier to enter this shop first as it is the first one you walk past from where i park the car. I have to say i feel very lucky to have somewhere i can call my local and whom i have become very friendly with, all of which have had accounts closed / restricted and one of whom cannot get a bet on without a phone call in one of said shops, i wont say which cos he always gets on as one of us does it for him now. With so many shops staff only interested in what time they finish work these days, this establishment deserves to be bigged up on here imo and i think in response to your comment above, it's only right i put it here!
How do you think i know how to keep accounts open now a days for as long as possible?
Fantasy you say Far from it mate! Just ask bigfatairyarse
There are 4 stan james establishments in the country that offer to match best price in the village. They also do treble the odds on one winner luckies, the only one in the town i hasten to add. One of them is in my town of North Shields! They know what they are doing and are very careful of whom and what they match, i.e anyone can ask for a price match to almost any stake but they wont lay an offer price or a pw tip. They match Korals, hills and lads via oddschecker.
In fact of all the years i have been following horses this is by far and away the best shop for atmosphere and just genuine banter i have ever had the fortune to give my custom to. Like i said they wont match pw tips or big ricks, i do have to walk to these firms for them, but as i am not the only guy who does this in this town, sj staff included, it is easier to enter this shop first as it is the first one you walk past from where i park the car. I have to say i feel very lucky to have somewhere i can call my local and whom i have become very friendly with, all of which have had accounts closed / restricted and one of whom cannot get a bet on without a phone call in one of said shops, i wont say which cos he always gets on as one of us does it for him now. With so many shops staff only interested in what time they finish work these days, this establishment deserves to be bigged up on here imo and i think in response to your comment above, it's only right i put it here!
How do you think i know how to keep accounts open now a days for as long as possible?
Fantasy you say
Far from it mate! Just ask bigfatairyarse
Where is the stans in North Shields? That's where I'm from. Do you mean Shiremoor near Sainsbury?
Bottom of Bedford Street in between Halifax and hays travel agents
Ah aye. Next to the Pow Burn. I know where you mean. Cheers.
If there's a bloke working with grey hair, biggish guy, ask about the tc list tell him I said lol
Taking a grand with me. £20 Per race per day. That is £560. £440 on food and beer.
House is paid for, I am going with 4 others for the week.
Obviously I hope to be bringing some loot home with me!!
House is paid for, I am going with 4 others for the week.
Obviously I hope to be bringing some loot home with me!!
Btw I also save the grand by collecting 2 pound coins, silver and coppers throughout the year!!
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