I must say this is the first time in years that I am only lukewarm about Cheltenham, even with only about 8 weeks to go. Disappointed that so many top horses are injured or haven't been out yet, the novice hurdlers aren't looking any great shakes at this stage and the championship races are all lacking depth. The Champion Hurdle looks so weak at the moment that I would seriously be advising Jessica Harrington to send Jezki to the race. The Champion Chase looks like being a walkover for Douvan, the Ryanair really looking like a race for also-rans this year and the Gold Cup looks Tizzard's for the taking, with the Irish horses all contriving to blot their copy books. The novice chase and juvenile divisions certainly look the most interesting at this stage.
Just topped up again on below wager i had a few weeks. Done a few multiples, trixies etc. Yorkshill JLT 5/2 Bellshill RSA 4/1 Meri Devi Triumph 9/1
Hi folks, every year nine of us get together for Cheltenham, my turn to get the tickets this year. Anyone know any promo codes for Tatts tickets?
Question for you guys - i'm away to Prague for a stag doo the Thursday/Friday any suggestions of a boozer that will show the racing? Bit of a long shot i know.
You'll find one I'm sure of that. I went to Prague on a stag do a few years back and was watching test cricket in one of the bars. I had no idea the Czechs liked cricket . There's also a number of Irish bars as well - they're sure to be showing Cheltenham. If they're not then you know it's not a real Irish bar
Rocky O'Reilly's is just off Wenceslas square and they should have the racing on for ya. Do some nice chicken wings there too along with Somerset cider
Re ‘looks one of the worst Cheltenhams for years’ I must say that if Annie Power (as widely rumoured) goes for the ‘Mares Hurdle’ instead of defending her ‘Champion’ crown then that, for me, will be the nail in the coffin re the Cheltenham Festival. It would be akin to The Arsenal winning the FA Cup and then the following year declining to enter and instead going for the ‘Cock-ennn-nee 5 A-Side’ Tournament. They’ve diluted the quality of the product by adding all these lesser races, ruined the Festival from an ante-post perspective by adding so many heats so that nobody (including connections) knows where most horses are going until the weekend before the meet, made the awful decision to name their new stand after some minor Saxe-Coburg rather than a racing legend (human or equine) and now we have top, top, top class horses going for ridiculous heats that mean nothing rather than Championship events. Rich Richtea, the heir to the biscuit tin fortune, you run animals in heats that are right for them. Not in races which are right for you! You follow?!?
The fundamental issue to bear in mind is that the second part only exists because they've created all these extra races! I know a lot of antepost punters cry because they've backed big bad Willie Mullins horses for the wrong races, you'd swear he was obligated to run his charges in certain races just because someone has Annie Power for the Champion in their £1 lucky 15 Too many races dilutes the quality as you rightly say old boy, but Rich Ricci didn't create these races did he, he simply supports them by having runners in them! Hate the game, not the player should be the mantra in this debate... I preferred the 3 day Festival for what it's worth but then again I'm old school...
