bowles10 Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 anyone excited yet...... For me it remains my favourite 4 days of the calendar year Its going to be quiet this week with weather impacting on the jumps cards i expect so any thoughts about Cheltenham, i'm not after selections just how you are approaching the festival For me, i've booked the week off work and will spend the 1st 3 days watching every moment on the box. I will probably go round my dads at least 1 day to watch it with him and his mate. On the friday there is normally a golf day which i will possibly play in and its timed to co-incide with the racing and the fella that puts it on runs a local pub so its down there for the afternoon and normally gets messy My betting strategy is betting level stakes in the main irrespective of price, however i will possibly have 1 decent bet per day on my "nap" I normally hunt round some free bets beforehand to see how to place my money. I've got every account under the sun and they all still send offers especially if you havent had a bet with them for a while. I would think i should target about 5 winners over the meeting 27 races it sounds easy to pick up 5 winners but we all know its hard. I rarely back a horse at the meeting that hasnt won or placed at the track. I always back my trend selections therefore sometimes having 2 or 3 bets a race, all to win, i dont back ew at the meeting at all I've been to the festival before twice but very selfish now i love to watch all the action and follow all the on line stuff as well so going to a packed cheltenham doesn't interest me now. I've had some decent winners over the years with Son of Flicka last year @ 42.0 continuing the trend of finding a big price one. I am like a kid in a sweetshop leading up to chelts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedthewolf Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away bowles10 Trend Specialist Cheltenham only 2 months away I've been to the festival before twice but very selfish now i love to watch all the action and follow all the on line stuff as well so going to a packed cheltenham doesn't interest me now. I've had some decent winners over the years with Son of Flicka last year @ 42.0 continuing the trend of finding a big price one. Never been to the festival on my to do list would dearly love to go maybe next year for my 50th!! As for Son of Flicka also backed it last last year got 40's was ripping it could have had 66's was gambled into 16's or something like that and it wouldn't surprise if turns up at the Coral Cup again this year ran a shocker on Saturday off 140 won CC off 135 last year likely to be around that mark this year has been 8-2-1 at the last three festival's seems to save its best for there Donald McCain will have it spot on for that day currently 33's not into anti post bets but have taken a bit e/w will take more if its around that price come early march. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyHills Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away Definitely going again this year, all depends on which race Tidal Bay goes for. If its decent ground he will aim for the World Hurdle, if its still soft/heavy by March he will take his chance in the Gold Cup. I like going to meetings these days with a horse in mind, i never bet at the track as its all about taking photos for me at the Festival, lots of angles and pitches to work out, just aint got time to fight through all the bookies. Should be better for space this year as Gold Cup day in 2012 was a nightmare with all the Kauto Star groupies hanging around the paddock all day and not shifting, it was the same at York with Frankel, it never used to be like this, i suppose its good for the sport but its a pain to a photographer! Anyway its a good challenge and you get to see some great horses. I will never understand why people pay to go to Cheltenham and sit in the bar all day and never see a horse and then tell their mates they went to the Gold Cup or something, anyone want to explain that one? Thousands do it every year, bonkers to me, wish they would all stay at home an get pissed instead of creating queues everywhere!! Going to trials day on the 26th which is a superb meeting nowadays which includes the Argento and the Cleeve Hurdle, Tidal Bay should be running in one of them so i here so that may sway the owner into one race or another in March. Personally hope he goes for the World Hurdle, nothing to do with the 20/1 voucher i have by the way!! Countdown is on:ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowles10 Posted January 14, 2013 Author Share Posted January 14, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I cant see it winning the gold cup BH, so i think you may have a chance in the world hurdle is there any way Big Bucks may still make it or is it scratched? Stranger things have happened Voler la Vadette retired now also Smad Place could be thereabouts again and Oscar Whiskey has done nothing wrong. Looks like being one of the better races at the meeting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyHills Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I agree he wont win the Gold Cup unless its waterlogged, aiming it for the National after Cheltenham which is not what i want to here either!!! Doubt if BB will turn up, nothing to prove and can come back next year and regain his crown as there is nothing in the stayers hurdle department. I reckon Tidal Bay is Nicholls best chance of the World Hurdle and he will want to try and win that in the battle against Henderson, he has Conti in the God Cup and Ruby will want to ride both and i dont think he has another staying hurdler apart from Thousand Stars for Mullins to ride at the moment. Nicholls did mention Wonderful Charm at one stage buts it only had one run in Britain and not sure its this class yet although they do think a lot of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blazing Bailey Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I always take off the afternoons for the festival as that way I only use up 2 days worth of holiday! Lol Like you Bowles I cant be doing with the crowds and traffic. I went there for the first 2 days in 2011 and it took us almost 90mins more to get there, still parked miles away and literally stood on a spot on the rail all day as it was too busy to go to the parade ring like I would normally do there. Although it was funny to see a grown beast of a man in full on tears when Hurricane Fly won... I think he said he won something like £15k on that race alone! I think I would have passed out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stakes n chips Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I cant see it winning the gold cup BH, so i think you may have a chance in the world hurdle is there any way Big Bucks may still make it or is it scratched? Stranger things have happened Voler la Vadette retired now also Smad Place could be thereabouts again and Oscar Whiskey has done nothing wrong. Looks like being one of the better races at the meeting. is there any way Big Bucks may still make it or is it scratched? Stranger things have happened Voler la Vadette retired now also Smad Place could be thereabouts again and Oscar Whiskey has done nothing wrong. Looks like being one of the better races at the meeting. Ive watched Voler la Vedette run her 3 races this season & it doesnt surprise me all that much to learn that she has been retired. Sad for sure but something certainly wasnt right there. Thanks for mentioning that though Bowles. I reckon Oscar Whiskey has a very good chance if BB doesnt make a miraculous recovery in time. I have a little on it with the hopes that BB doesnt return to defend the WH and Quevega's owners also sit tight on their quite possibly perceived annual banker in the mares race. First year ive dabbled into anteposte cheltenham markets - im thinking the betvictor offer giving freebie bets out for any non-runners is a pretty good bit of insurance. It certainly does my brain in trying to figure out which horses will likely run where at times. Exciting times ahead though no doubt about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bathtime For Rupert Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away Can't wait and was only just thinking it's coming around fast. My uni timetable is spot on too. Finish at 1pm on the Tuesday and the first race is at 1.30. Then in from 9-11 on Wednesday with Thursday and Friday off :nana The only real disappointment for me is that my two favourite horses Time For Rupert and Burton Port are out for the season :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fintron Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I can't wait for Cheltenham either....but only because it means the Lincoln is around the corner. A vastly overrated festival in which a punters morals can quickly go out of the window. Every single day e-mails are sent out by the bookies..."horse X has been backed for the x race"...its very repetitive, for the whole season, all they talk about is Cheltenham, it is no longer NH racing, they should rename the whole thing 'Cheltenham season'! Can't we have a winner in the NH scene without mentioning Cheltenham in the same sentence? This year I'll be having a fiver trixie each day and thats my lot. Best of luck to those of you that do enjoy it and have ante post bets already though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyHills Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away Fin, i agree all roads do seem to lead to Cheltenham these days but i dont think thats a bad thing for a sport which has been badly effected by poor prize money. Its like the Cup Final to use a football term for all of the various divisions and i like that idea. I'm sure sooner or later the Champions Day on the flat will take a similar route and be extended, festivals do seem to catch the imagination of the public. Away from Cheltenham i do think we have had some terrific racing elsewhere this season and its not all about the top class horses to those who enjoy the NH scene, i'm sure you enjoy a tricky card at Pontefract as much as some of the better cards on the level. To me the Lincoln is a race where 20 horses firstly have to get a decent draw to have any chance and then hope the trainer has his horses fit enough to do themselves justice but i think you meant it means the start of the flat season for you to be fair although that tradition has gone in recent years hasn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy2shoes Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away ........Come on form a line Jockeys. Yaaaaaa ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy2shoes Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I can't wait for Cheltenham either....but only because it means the Lincoln is around the corner. A vastly overrated festival in which a punters morals can quickly go out of the window. Every single day e-mails are sent out by the bookies..."horse X has been backed for the x race"...its very repetitive, for the whole season, all they talk about is Cheltenham, it is no longer NH racing, they should rename the whole thing 'Cheltenham season'! Can't we have a winner in the NH scene without mentioning Cheltenham in the same sentence? This year I'll be having a fiver trixie each day and thats my lot. Best of luck to those of you that do enjoy it and have ante post bets already though. And i had you down as a good racing fan. I do love the Derby and The Arc but Cheltenham is all about the PASSION. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavlar17 Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I'm absolutely buzzing for Cheltenham this year. Like BB, I'll have the afternoon off from work to make sure I catch the whole thing. I look forward to Cheltenham every year, I was away abroad for it last year and just cant get enough. I'm looking forward to watching it all unfold at home this year though, give me a proper chance to pick out a few winners hopefully! It all started for me back at the 2010 festival, me and my mate went halfers on a lucky 15 and I picked out A New Story who won a cross country chase at a juicy 33/1. Think I've been betting on horses ever since! On a side note, I ended up with a Weatherby's betting guide to the Cheltenham festival last year, it was fairly good from a stats perspective but can't decide if I'm going to buy one this year. Anybody any experience with this guide in the past? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowles10 Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Fin, you are turning into russ ! I just love the spectacle of the meeting The good thing is its not all about grade races either as some juicy handicaps along the way also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fintron Posted January 15, 2013 Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away You lads back festival winners though Bowles. I don't! So sticking to what I know best and having a cursory trixie only at Cheltenham this year. I did enjy a preview night in ripon last year with Cunningham, hannity, primarolo (Betfred) and value plus nick robson though, so will attend that again if its running. Where is RussP these days by the way? Not seen him on PL for ages, granted I rarely venture into other forum sections. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowles10 Posted January 15, 2013 Author Share Posted January 15, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away You lads back festival winners though Bowles. I don't! So sticking to what I know best and having a cursory trixie only at Cheltenham this year. I did enjy a preview night in ripon last year with Cunningham, hannity, primarolo (Betfred) and value plus nick robson though, so will attend that again if its running. Where is RussP these days by the way? Not seen him on PL for ages, granted I rarely venture into other forum sections. true! Russ is about in other sports, seems he prefers darts and golf to racing now! who can blame him, he hates the jumps :) suppose its horses for courses, i get bored on the flat and dont enjoy any of the festivals, i seem to do really poor at York and Newmarket, so tend to stick to Ascot when it comes to the flat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewPunter Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I always buy the Weatherby's guide, its a decent read in general and the stats are handy. This year you can also have upto £30 on Bobs Worth at 6/1 when you buy the book. For me Cheltenham is the highlight of my year without doubt, as a 23 year old living in Cumbria its a long way down the country and most of my mates just don't get how excited I get for it! This year I'm going down on the Saturday beforehand as the lad I go with is a M'Boro fan and they are away at Bristol City so we are stopping there, going to Cheltenham Tuesday (best day racing) and Wednesday (to see Sprinter again) and then will come back to Cumbria and watch the Thursday at home then Friday down the local. Got a few decent antepost bets going (Jezki at 27/1 is my main hope) but nowhere near like last year where everything I'd backed seemed to be well fancied and managed a lot of 'free bet's on various horses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cal Posted January 16, 2013 Share Posted January 16, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I can't wait. Booked a week off work although not sure if I will make the trip up there. Prefer not to go on the Friday as the last time I went, it was just full of pissed up lads looking for scraps rather then watching the racing, I seen the worst fight I think I've ever seen outside back in 2011 after the races, pure horrible that. I want to go on the Tuesday if any day. I don't mind watching it at home. I'm already 'studying' as much as I can and I just want it to hurry up! Have quite a few quid antepost this year. The first time ever I think and have quite a bit on the Quevega/SS double which looks solid enough to me. On the one hand I want Cheltenham to come but then I know it's approaching the end of the jumps season which is a downside! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punterpete Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away Christmas and New year over now we can get on with the main event....the greatest show on turf....THE FESTIVAL!!! Going up on the Tuesday on the train fueled by champagne (thats me not the train lol). Wednesday just sat in front of the box in recovery mode betting via t'internet. Thursday have a trip up on the coach from the local pub. Coach, tatts tickets, superb buffet and alcohol supplied and then whats not eaten or drunk gets layed in the pub afterwards....and all for 60 quid bargain of the year!! Friday back up on the train but fueled by the black stuff this time. CAN'T WAIT!! As for the betting front have had very little anti post this year. On the Tuesday don't fancy any of the first 3 favourites so will be looking for some value in these races. Will post up any thoughts closer to the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgli77 Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I've booked the week off work. It was a toss up between staying at home to watch Cheltenham or going down south to watch it in Torquay and taking in 2 footy matches in a week as City have 2 games down there (think it's Plymouth and Exeter). Looking forward to it but not as much as recent years as there are not a lot of horses I have a great liking for like in past years such as Inglis Drever, My Way De Solzen etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevet1859 Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I take the time off work and really enjoy it. The chance to back top class horses at a decent price. Another positive are the trends - for certain races they do give you a fighting chance considering how competitive the racing is. On the downside, it is a shame when the talk all jumps season long is about Cheltenham, and also on the ante post front - hard to know what race a horse will actually run in... Overall - still can't wait ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aidymac Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away Myself and Big Andy are heading to Day 1 of The Festival this year, cannot wait. Champion Hurdle, Supreme Novices, Arkle and Cross Country all on the one day.. Don't think I have ever been so excited. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheerluck Holmes Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I've got the Thursday and Friday off work to watch this year. Can't bloody wait. I'm going down for Gold Cup day too, first time at the festival, so looking forward to it. Not been before though - should I be nervous?! Ive been to a Grand National before and that was hellish! I've not had an ante post interest yet, I'm usually naff so will probably leave it. When do we start getting firmish cards out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowles10 Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away for me going to the festival is a chance of savouring an atmosphere, however i last went 22 years ago and had the pleasure of watching from the boxes further down the course. I went back for the paddy power meeting this year and it was busy, so not sure i would enjoy the festival. I have become a bit selfish wanting to watch every race from the armchair and having the papers/internet available at the touch of a button. I think if you have never been though, you should sample the festival. The lads i go with all want a beer so its difficult to run between the areas i want to see i.e. paddock, betting ring, winners enclosure etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mallyh Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away I have been going to the cheltenham festival for the last 25 yrs ,The last 10 yrs have been on a booked coach trip on the Weds,Thurs and Friday.I wish the trip was Tuesday,Weds and Thursday as i find the Friday gold cup 1 day coach trippers spoil the day.I start getting excited about November lol.I have seen some fantastic race horses Moscow Flyer 2003 and 2005,Baracouda in 2003,Best Mate ,Kauto star and many more exciting races but the one that will always stay in my mind was the 2008 Gold Cup won by Denman,i still get shivers down my back when thinking about that race.I love the stats and trends of the each race backed plenty of winners and losers,i have been to watch my home town football team in a F.A. cup and league cup final,Crickets 20/20 finals,Rugby union 6 nations England v France and last years super saturday Olympic finals and countlees other top sporting days out but nothing beats The Cheltenham Festival and now looking forward to this years pint of cold guinness in the village BRING IT ON,Thanks to every post you guys put up and the hours you all spend researching the facts and figures to make this forum all worth while.Good luck and good fortune to you all. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRat Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Re: Cheltenham only 2 months away If you thought the PP meetig was busy Rob then stay away from the Festival! Been going the last 5ish years and im sure I said before, but last GC day was just far too busy, it was mad and seemed a lot busier than even the GC day the year before. I also went on the Tuesday last year and it was busy but seemed fine, unlike the Friday, and personally I prefer the racing on the Tuesday anyway Still I cannot wait. Fingers crossed all the horse make it there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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