Imperial_Racing ‏@Imperial_Racing
Imperial Commander to bypass Gold Cup due to lung infection interrupting his preparation #thatsracing

I'm seething at Quito De La Roque's withdrawal...I think it's madness that they're saving him for the National, and because connections have cost me a possible big payday, I hope the jockey unseats when the tapes go up or QDLR refuses at the first!

I've been dying to see that plodding boat around Cheltenham (off a decent pace & over that trip) for an eternity!
That's now three seasons on the trot they've missed Cheltenham (for one reason or another) after having it earmarked for the Festival!

Also, a sizeable bet on Quel Esprit to be in the frame has bitten the dust too!
That's exactly why I despise backing ante-post, though the blow is cushioned by an all-green book.

Besides the money...I'm gutted not to have had a chance to see my judgement vindicated, but at the price he is for Aintree, maybe I should forget about the schadenfreude, and get stuck into the value - last matched at a surprisingly high 85, so maybe he's missing that as well!

DI - QDLR was as high as 169 last November...I think he earned a crack at the big one

The way Jobsworth stretched to the line was just how I thought QDLR would do...I've convinced myself he could've been placed last week but I suppose the consolation of the National will just have to satisfy connections - 'Sod's Law' DICTATES I won't have a bean on him when he bolts up!

As for The Festival...I picked two bits of value in every race (totally determined to me by the prices ) and managed to find just the ONE winner - Same Difference at 22's, though I had 12 placed horses at huge prices (in 27 races - two 16/1 shots Ericht & Walkon were both 5th with the concessions and helped a little) and incredibly, two very unfortunate losers, Tofino Bay & Oscar Delta!

The key is getting the right outsiders in the frame in your multiple bet which is something I've ALWAYS had great difficulty doing...there's a lot of luck involved, and if it can go wrong, it will!

Friday's £1 E/W L15;

Sametegal 50/1...sneaked 3rd
The Giant Bolster...16/1 (4th bah!)
Oscar Delta 25/1...need I say more - cost me a grand!
Drumshambo 25/1...of course, it pinched 4th place to piss me off even more!

AND on Tuesday I backed Ackertac at 160, and The Bald One limited an E/W L15 to 20p stakes costing me £540 for a place treble

Anyhow...that's enough of my whining for now - I have a Lincoln winner to find

PS - how did you fare at Cheltenham?