Fab
Thanks for that, its 26 years ago and while I often think of the small holding I would have bought, the most vivid memory was the fact that The Thinker was unbeaten on about 6 runs that season but I could not convince mysef he was up to the class needed to win a Gold cup.

Best memory was Joes Edge in 2007, felt it was handicapped to win the race despite the Grand National being the aim and Davy Russell got him up from an impossible position in the last stride.  Won enough that day to set myself up with a fair kitty to start betting for a living so I'll always owe horse and rider for a long time to come.

Worst memory, as a youngster watching Le Coudray, woulda been 1.01 in the run on here, being run down late by Anzum in the stayers.  I knew  little about the game then but having followed a tip from a fella who apparently did I'd backed LC Ante Post at 12/1 for what money I did have at the time, it wasn't the money lost it was just the feeling of euphoria to utter dissapointment, first time I'd ever felt it in gambling!
Ante Post double to win serious money on Imperial Commander 10's and Khyber Kim 14's being stuffed by Binocular (who was 1000/1 on here 3 weeks before the race) was a sickener.  Will never forgive Chemical Nicky for that stunt.

Jamie Osborne pulling up Large Action in 1997.

Half Free winning the last at 16-1,surviving never ending photo and then even longer Stewards.Worst, when Harchibald failed to get up despite cantering going into last. In desperation shouted the see you next Tuesday at TV repeatedly,oblivious that mother in law was in adjacent room,surprise visiting.

Being the only one in the pub on American Trilogy in the 2009 Vincent O'Brien at 20-1. The silence was deafening but it was deep joy time in my little corner. As a rule however, my anticipation and sheer delight at the racing is not mirrored in joyful collecting.

Painful is most deffo the way to describe my gut as i had steamed into Best Mate for the supreme in a big way only for Sausalito Bay to come by and do him.Was stood near the guinness village at the time and when jim Culloty went by i thought i'd copped a right few quid .Had some good wins over the years from a point of view of finance at the time but one of many memorable days was only recently when i took my girlfriend.I kept going back to cue card in the bumper and thought sod it,as i was in front and had £30 e/w at 40s.Having stood in the stand shouting it in (in virtual silence to everyone else) all the way up the hill my other half, bless her, turned and said to me after i'd jumped up and down for a bit "is that one yours"?! I couldn't stop pi**in myself after that.The same lady is now my fiancee which is why this year.........im going on my own!

Memorable and painful: Silver Jaro, County hurdle '08.

Had backed Ashkazar earlier in the week, was in the Pipe marquee when Crack away Jack swooped... I have never experienced such an anti climax.
Still licking my wounds a few days later, entered Silver Jaro in a local tipping comp, organised by a regular punter at the bookies I worked at. Had asked him to monitor the betting, funds on here were low and the only bookmaker account I had left was a pp a/c... they were offering Silver Jaro at just 16/1. The customer told me around 2pm that SJ was 120+ on here and updated right up to the off, I decided not to place a wager. It won bagging me the tipping comp (£200) but left me feeling a little dejected after being put off by its price (a lesson I have learnt from since!). The £200 was used to erase all negativity that evening.

That was 2003 Bigu2fan. I was there that day. My first visit to a racecourse.

Best mate won his second gold cup. Baracouda beat iris's gift and Limestone lad and La landiere won the cathcart.

And my favourite ever horse - spirit leader won the county hurdle.

I backed them all and thought it was an easy game.

i dont think I've had 4 winners in the ten years since!

Most memorable: backing New Mill @ 100s ante post after the RFO put it up... happy days...

Least memorable: back Wot A Friend large for a place GC two years ago... would of dug me out a hole... when they crossed the line I thought WAF had done Kauto... happy days... not... never seen the print... sure I woz done...

I had a £1 lucky 15 on world hurdle day in 2008.I was 17 at the time but always looked older so would put mine and my mates bets on.
Our Vic won at 4/1
Albertas Run won at 4/1
Inglis Drever won at 11/8
Miko De Beauchene 2nd at 7/1

The story behind it is that Miko De Beauchene was not meant to be on the slip, i had gone with every intention of the fourth horse been Mister Mcgoldrick. i wont claim to have based my selections on any skill as i was still a novice to the game. I Picked all of my favourites that had won for me before. On arrival at the betfred i saw the price on mister mcgoldrick was 100/1 and because of the price it put me off putting him in my lucky 15. Over the years i have learnt that as long as the horse is longer than the price you expect it to be you should bet it. I will never forget feeling as flat as i did when Mister Mcgoldrick won and was returned 66/1. i then watched the next race to see my selection i chose over him after looking at his price finish second.

elation....hypolita winning county in 79 (6 duck eggs and backed on tote, getting my wheel barrow under starters orders ).....despair.....objection, my bookie mate offered me 50% if monte ceco got the race and i to reciprocate......turned him down and fought through crowd to watch a replay only to see the idiot jockey whipping the other jockey more than once. attempted to get back to my mate to change my mind.....didn't make it , bloody overcrowding !

I see the Aussie still hasnt recovered from Black Fish Eggs scraping home at Ascot and hasnt realised this is about horse racing.

Btw Moondan I can add Gee A ridden by Gee A at 33s,owned by Geoff H as a small but exciting memory of the 87 Festival.

*form*

GT-MOLE,

Thanks for that, I was pretty certain it was half free and from memory it won at 11/8 and that was also sickening because it was available at 7/4 guaranteed price in the morning.
Going on memory it was not a big field 7-8 runners.
I cannot find the results for that day, probably because brains, computers, and me, are not good companions.
Along with the other winners I backed that day the first race was the hurdle and am I right in thinking it was a Henderson runner ridden by sherwood or am I well down the road of being senile.
Great thread wish there was more like it.

Great thread this.  Half Free won the Cathcart at 11-8 in 1986 moondan when ridden by Simon Sherwood.  He was 5-4 when winning again in 1987.

GT=MOLE,

Again thanks, I think it was about 12s . Aldino did me a few favours but I was more a tenner ew
In fact I was just a mug punter really, thought nothing of doing a £1 ew heinz each day at the big meetings, greed being my downfall

Betfair and old age has made me see the light and long may it continue.

Pauli, knew Sherwood was involved somewhere, thanks.

GT, You should do one on Royal ascot,

I have a shocking  story from the middle 60s

OMERTA was a Non runner on the day of the GC which was enlightening should I say?



Trained.......J.H Scott,Ireland

Red,Black,Chevrons on body and sleeves,WHITE cap.

Strangely the cap was in CAPS as WHITE?

I can tell you plenty of "funny things" about this meeting.

Mrs.J McMorrow owned OMERTA at the time when he was a 7 yo gelding.

INTHEKNOW

Without doubt guaranteed odds were available from opening time the year
The Thinker won the gold cup. The only doubt is whether that was the first or second year they were introduced.
The fred winter horse that won the second race was available at 25s all morning and Half free was available at 7/4.
I am so certain because I missed 2 points on Alone success hendersons horse in the first and watched in horror as Freds horse collapsed down to 14s or 16s in the second, a huge difference.
I am certain this concession was offered by all of the big three.
I was working in Truro, Cornwall for the best part of a year and I think it was William Hills that was based upstairs above other shops, it was the only shop in the tiny city.
There is no doubt what I have told you is true and would gladly bet, not only my life on this but also my kids. Absolutely no doubt.
That day is burned into my memory because its the day I made 2 huge mistakes, firstly to change my bet and stakes but also not to take the guaranteed odds, both were costly in a way I will never forget.