Champion Hurdle your favourite race , might have been mine in the 70's  ....Bula  ,Sea Pigeon , Night Nurse and co.

The Grand National even in it's watered down today is still my favourite by a country mile ......mind choosing Rule The World and Many Clouds in my 4 'probable' winners list in the last two years helps.

So Vroum Vroum Mag doesn't go for the Gold Cup .....well I never ..... when did she actually last run over fences?
Surely the training regime for the Mares hurdle and the Gold Cup must be light years apart.....

The Champion Hurdle is wide open with 'potential' horses with the stars missing , not got a clue who wins.

Don't fancy any of the front three in the Gold Cup.
Think it will go to one of the second season horses Outlander or Sizing John......mind Empire Of Dirt would be the clear choice for me , but it appears he is going for the Ryanair.

Tea For Two could be a surprise place for Lizzie Kelly ...... I think they could win the National next year.

Cue Card and Native River are reported to be thriving at Colin Tizzard's base as the Gold Cup looms at Cheltenham.


Tizzard's son and assistant, Joe, said: "Both Native River and Cue Card schooled on Tuesday. I don't think I've ever seen Cue Card school so well it was like he was on springs. Native River was really good, too. I rode Native River myself and he felt superb.

"There is not much between them. They've both had beautiful prep runs and they are going into the Gold Cup in their best form, I'm sure of it. All we need now is a bit of luck and what will be will be."

will on-course bookies chelt take any bet

no they don't x money, I had a bet once refused by an oncourse bookie there.

MDs like a cat on a hot tin roof


shes like putty in cheltenhams hands

or is it hooves

Never been to Aintree but of all the other meetings this just leaves them in the shade.
York, Sandown or where ever unbeatable.

1st day 2006 best ever. 8 bets (2 aways) 4 winners all between 5s and 10s.

Just to say the Cheltenham placepot thread is up, it's further down the page.

It's weird.
Not having/working in a betting shop any more and not actually working on-course at the festival and not being asked by BF to run a competition this year.
Makes me feel sort of empty.

Until last year, Cheltenham was the absolute highlight of my sporting year, even in my teens/20's I used to have this week off work.

So to make up for it, entering the Fantasy league (see ooOAlphacentauri's thread) and the placepot comp (been too busy to join in of late) will keep me involved.
The computer will be on at work too, I'm going watch every race!

Good luck everybody.

^ Has to be infinitely better than watching one and a half hours of Reading.

Have a great time, G2D

Don't mention the milk, Joel. I bought some Friday, it was dated 19th March

Sorry you're not running a Cheltenham comp this year, Study That's a bit miserable of Betfair, I have to say.

Hey, we can't be having sad faces on Cheltenham Eve!

Good luck everybody

Breeding Mad posted this in horse racing. I'm posting it here.
.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/13/paddy-brennan-gold-cup-cue-card-cheltenham-festival

An excellent read about Paddy Brennan's thoughts on his fall last year in the GC.

Best of luck this year, Paddy and Cue Card

Mark Boylan - The Festival
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https://youtu.be/L76kkAp-pqU

Thanks for that, tictac.

You can have the job of giving us a going report for each day, if you want it

Are you there for the 4 days, G2D?

Oi mrs ye haven't welcomed me back yet.

Yes I have!

*welcome

I never did mrs! Or my senility has really kicked in

I used to go for the 4 days, but in recent years i just go on Tuesday & Thursday. I cant take the full 4 days anymore. The worst experience was when it was cancelled on one day due to the winds and the 10 race card was an absolute killer the next day, never been so drained at the races before.

I still miss Istabraq ...