• REGISTER NOW!! Why? Because you can't do much without having been registered!

    At the moment you have limited access to view all discussions - and most importantly, you haven't joined our community. What are you waiting for? Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join Join Talking Horses here!

Let’s Hear It For Desert Orchid

barjon

Rookie
Joined
Aug 2, 2020
Messages
4,203
I hope you all had an enjoyable Cheltenham, but I doubt any of you worked as hard as Desert in sorting out the handicaps. Nor as hard in posting up all the info and the rationale behind selections. It added immeasurably to my enjoyment of the week and was really appreciated. Thanks, desert.
 
I would like to say it was a pleasure, Bj, but honestly it's an effort I won't be keen to repeat. But at least I have a year to think about it :love:

Ian's enthusiasm for individual race threads appealed to me enormously as I feel some of the analysis on here is a bit superficial, probably people being guarded about their methodologies/information, and I'm the kind of person who is very uncomfortable handing money over [metaphorically] to a bookie without doing due diligence on a race, and those threads invite analysis.

Like Ian does with his selections and comments, I usually only put stuff up once my bets are on so I don't mind sharing at that point.

But, as I mentioned briefly on here the other day and to a forumite in a private message earlier today, this year it genuinely impacted on my wellbeing and that was new. On Tuesday evening, following days of gradually increasing study from about 8am to 10pm I almost literally collapsed on to my bed, unable to focus on anything. I have honestly never felt so mentally exhausted in my life but I've studied harder in the past so I'm guessing it is age catching up with me and the studying seems to affect my eyes more as my macular degeneration worsens with age.

I am genuinely thankful that I am off the bevy for Lent otherwise I might have over-indulged this evening.

Posting on the threads is no big deal itself but I did waste a lot of time looking for individual race threads. Maybe that's something that can be looked at going forward.

Anyway, I did manage to find an hour mid-morning after I finished posting my analyses to grab 45 mins' kip with The Quiet Man on quietly in the background so I was refreshed enough for watching the action unfold but that wasn't the case the previous days.

I think everyone deserves a positive mensh for all their input to the festival discussions. I can't think of a single race in which nobody found the winner, which is brilliant stuff for the forum and will hopefully keep newcomers coming.

Thanks again.
 
I put most of my racing education down to the forum as in my day to day life, no one cares.

Dessie (Mo) I would credit for revolutionising my philosophy with regards to opening my mind to times and ratings. EC also is recognised.

I go with my eyes as my primary source of knowledge but welcome how much good information is shared and how it does frame my thoughts for years now.

During the hurricane Fly wars on here, this stuff peaked.

Good luck with getting a balance between dedication and enjoyment Mo
 
Maurice is a legend - I love reading his material - but he's not the only one.

Lots of great stuff from the OP (Barjon) and many others too.

The 12 Cheltenham handicap race threads went down like a lead balloon when I created them before the weights even came out, but my intentions were positive and I think in the end they produced lots of cracking duscussion and no shortage of winners.

Is it really only six days since Go Dante landed a forum gamble in the Imperial Cup?

And they say a week a a long time in politics! 😂

Looking forward to the Midlands Grand National now.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top