Not Eddie Aherns greatest moment. Whats the point in getting the stall you wanted and then switching high to see your side winning the race. Not that it would have made much difference but at least the Koucash runners set the pace on that side.
KK plainly didnt handle the ground, Pastoral Player got going all too late again (he'll go close in next years Stewards Cup if the grounds fast as he needs a flat out gallop on quick ground and he covered half of Sussex Downs in this years race), Son Of The Cat likewise and I thought Hawkeyethenoo was the eyecatcher with Ascot in mind in a couple of weeks time. Great race to watch though, particularly as I didnt have a bet in the end!

I commiserate with FIDWAY, I did exactly the same with MASKED MARVEL in the LEGER, but we are human beings and as such WILL NEVER achieve perfection.
I remember thinking I had backed a stumour in the AYR GOLD CUP  a few years ago when FUNFAIR WANE ran last in stewards cup, but my money was already on, history tells us that he won and my worries were unfounded.

Must admit I never fancied him first time, but when he beat the excellent trial tackle, THE TATLING by 3/4 length giving him 13lbs,
then I COULD NOT let him run unbacked, especially in the AYR GOLD CUP.
Not a big backer but love to puzzle out what trainers might be doing, since you mentioned your workmates, do you find that most are lazy as regards form study and look to others for help, because I have met up with this down the years?

A good example was old Captain Elsey complaining about the Lincoln would have been better for his horse if the race was a fortnight later
and I decided that he was "putting us away", BABUR 1958, having backed him in 1957, I got on him again.