bayernkenny: You wouldn't like Bayern at the moment, it's absolutely pelting down, looks more like Manchester (Wilmslow) during my square-bashing days. Well, on ante-post, there's always a party-pooper and this time I guess it has to be me. Just too many imponderables, regardless of the fancy prices. You know, the Cheltenham Festival is one horseracing epic where you can always get a half-decent price and not get nailed to the wall if your choice does not run? Just an opinion, but have to admit I did have an ante-post e/w patent a long time ago on the CH, Triumph, and GC, one winner and the other two just failing by the shortest of margins to win. Would have been 25 grand, even so, the one win plus place bets netted me 500 quid. Also, Connaught Ranger in that re-arranged Triumph Hurdle at 40/1. But those are the exceptions to the general rule. Ante-post is tempting, for sure, but not for me at the moment. The very best of luck to all of you having a go ante-post though!
Swanhills; looking forward to my next visit to Munich in March. Might have a few bets on the Tuesday of the Festival; some on the computer and some in the 'Wettburo'. Is there still a 'bookie's' on Leopoldstrasse on the way to Schwabing? Used to be 'Springer' but likely to now be 'Bet3000'? Can't wait for my trip to Starnbergersee!
Excellent, excellent thread. Fascinating to read people’s thoughts but it would be even better if these advices could be staked. I don’t mean in monetary terms but using say a 1-5 pt basis with the mid-way point on the scale being the person’s average bet. This would be hugely beneficial as it highlights which bets are merely speculative and which are very strongly fancied. Also, it prevents people (although I know that 9/10 people on the forum wouldn’t do this) from after the event shouting that they had next to nothing on their losers but billions on their winners! Onto my own wagers and I have to report that to date re 2012 they are...well nothing! I would love to claim that I took a double figured price about Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle, after shouting ebulliently about him in the Autumn, but sadly I didn’t but had I entered the market at that stage I almost certainly would have lost on Tataniano. What with the ‘Racing Post’ and ‘The Weekender’ both launching or stepping up a level their ante-post coverage this week I plan to have a real good look at things Cheltenham wise over the next week or so. One’s off the top of the Chuckle head that I like the look off are Montbazon (Supreme Novices), Sprinter Sacre (Arkle), Spirit Son and Oscars Well (Champion Hurdle), Bobs Worth, Join Together and Mossley (RSA), Riverside Theatre (Ryanair), Vendor (Triumph), Long Run (CGC) and, of course, Barbers Shop (Foxhunters). But this list is very long and I won’t obviously get on them all! Will update though if and when I do. Incidentally William Hill have just launched there ‘to win any race at the Festival’ market and are quoting about 15 horses to do so. Toppy, that 30/1 re Captain Conan in the opener is very interesting and potentially inspired. Due to make his British debut in a Grade 1 on Saturday he won his last race, across the Channel, with ease and potentially could be very good. Also, as he's with Mr Henderson is in the very best of hands. I would doubt if I’ll be attending, this year, but would never in a million years go on CGC day again. Have been twice and neither day was for me - a huge proportion of attendees drunk by 1 o’clock, terrible overcrowding and it’s full of people who know next to nothing about racing (people mock Royal Ascot for this latter point but in my experience CGC day is even worse). In comparison love the Tuesday of the meeting for the ‘freshness’ and the excitement level generated. Also, the quality of the racing is amazingly strong.
I have a few at the moment and will use the 1-5pt guide by SBC which is a brilliant idea to stop those nasty aftertimers Ipsos Dus Berlais 20-1 for Albert Bartlett and a smaller bet at 25s for the Neptune (probs bigger prices now after his run lto) 1pt Prospect Wells 20-1 for the Supreme Novices 1pt Ranjaan Triumph Hurdle 16-1 3pts RSA Chase Hidden Cyclone 25-1 2pts - Back In Focus 50-1 1pt
Swanny I studied in Manchester and lived in Withington - just down Didsbury Road from Wilmslow Fine place
BayernKenny: Don't use the "shops" any more as everything I need is online, with its vastly-improved video services, etc. However, that was one of Simon Springer's flagship shops you mentioned, so expect it's still there. Used to go there frequently in the '90s especially. Knew Mr.Springer personally, not sure but I believe he sold out, or became a partner, to what eventually became BET3000 or maybe BET2000? Always get mixed-up with these two, but I think that is right. Last I heard from an old betting-shop mate was that Mr.S was languishing in Malaga, or some such idyll. He only started-up his business around 1983, when the German government relaxed their betting laws just a bit. He did well. Was always a pretty fair man, but was governed by stringent gambling laws here. Police raids (or Razzia) on betting shops were common, and very insulting to customers. We were locked-in, would you believe it while the Finance Police sodded-around behind the counter. Can you imagine that in the UK or Ireland? There would be uproar. Oddy: Had only one or two weekends off during the two months I was in Wilmslow. Mostly so bluddy tired we all didn't do too much, although went to Belle Vue once and had a great time. Square-bashing is not the best way to see a fair city in good light. Wasn't Manchester's fault!
RV: Would be difficult for Oddy and me to aftertime, you see we're timed at CET and therefore, for my part, have to select my loser over an hour before the race. Otherwise looks like I'm aftertiming?
For the tenth year running now, I am going Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and then in the pub for Gold Cup day. Cannot wait - highlight of the year for me without a doubt. Bets on so far: Peddlers Cross at 9's - Arkle Montbazon at 25's - Supreme Countrywide Flame at 50's - Triumph Sprinter Sacre / First Lieutenant win double at 147's - Arkle / RSA respectively.
Swanhills; talking about uproar in Bookmakers can you recall the 'shop' in, I think, am Radisteg off Im Tal. This short lived enterprise had a bar serving beer, wine and spirits with snacks at the front and the TV screens showing the racing at the rear. I cannot imagine such a mix in the UK! I cannot remember the firm but it was not one I had come across in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Karlsruhe, Baden Baden or Munich.
bayernkenny: Well, this is real nostalgia. Oldish guy with a plump wife? Knew it well. They moved to a tiny side street by Isartor, but had to cut-out all the food and beverages. Might be still there, although both were no spring chickens in the '90s. It was a small local business, so you would not have seen it up north. He did NOT like to lose, and would moan for a week after a bad day. Had a limit of €6,000 on a single payout, so he never hurt too much. Was not the place to have a multiple, just singles.
These are mine so far I placed mine on 2nd Nov Hurricane Fly 7/4 Long Run 2/1 Peddlers 6/1 Big Bucks 4/5 Quevega 6/4 £20 Accy and a £2 lucky 31 I'm also monitoring Rebecca Curtis's runners most notably Vegas Cash (Bumper), Teaforthree, high storm and one term I think it's about time she had a festival winner but to be honest I think they'll be decent prices on the day. I usually like to back things early and then lay them making it a free bet. What strategies do you guys use for ante post? I'm going all four days in best mate we've done that for the past few years as it offers awesome value for money!
Yeah I read that it only ever said "might" be out for the season though and I haven't heard anything since probably still is though Cheers RV
I remember posting an article on the old 606 about not being able to get a pint in the bookies. I went to Australia a couple of times and they have many bars with the "TAB" sign - the Aussie tote - where you can have a beer, study the form, place a bet and watch the race, all in very salubrious surroundings (well much nicer than your average high street bookies). Heaven on Earth
Do Vegas, go to the casinos sportsbook, free beer and a million TV screens to watch every race run in the world. Problem with UK racing over there is the 2.15 is actually the 6.15am and glugging beers whilst watching the racing is a battle.... That Stop the Show did stop !
To continue these memories about bookies serving booze I have just remembered my many trips to Paris. I am aware of the many bistros etc that have PMU facilities. I have however come across two bistros which seem to be the owner or run by the PMU. One is in an arcade off the Boulevard Montparnasse and the other is close to the Ibis Hotel Chateau Landon (Gare du Nord). The jumps meeting I usually attend Auteuil at the beginning of November usually coincides with the Breeders Cup. I remember a good few years ago when the BC was held at either Gulfstream or the Fairgrounds in New Orleans the PMU Bistro put on a 'Southern Buffet' which I think cost me 5 euros to eat all I could; they even allowed my elderly mother the same 'nosebag' for zip! I cannot remember if the entrance fee included free beer! This was pre laptop/oddschecker so apart from some telephone ante post the betting was not profitable!!! Again, can you imagine such an event in the UK!
