Cheltenham 2019 / 2020

Last chance today to buy Festival tickets at the cheapest rates this season, prices go up at midnight
 
Ridersonthestorm mistakenly taken out of tomorrows race. NTD realises the mistake but the BHA say not allowed to rectify it.

Absolute shambles
 
Farcical scenes. I look forward to hearing NTD’s comments


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Heads up for anyone driving to Cheltenham races on New Years Day, the main road through the town via what is known as Boots Corner re-opened at midnight last night, having been "closed" since June 2018 as part of an ongoing trial to reduce pollution.
 
Not sure of a suitable thread. But Davy Russell just gave the StoryTeller an interesting ride to sneak into 6th and qualify for the Pertemps final
 
Double J said:
Not sure of a suitable thread. But Davy Russell just gave the StoryTeller an interesting ride to sneak into 6th and qualify for the Pertemps final
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simmo said:
5/1 fav, unplaced.
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Storyteller went off 11/1 today. Not sure if you're suggesting today was a bad run, Simmo?

I agree with Double J strongly - today was absolute perfection with Davey creeping him into 6th place to qualify for the Pertemps in March.

The Storyteller has great Festival form, winning the plate in 2018 when rated OR 147 - but rated 158 over fences now, which leaves him in no mans land.

He's only OR 142 over hurdles! This could be a festival banker. He's now qualified without affecting his 142 mark (you'd think/hope).

Problem is the bookies are already wide to it - he's already 8/1 Fav for the Pertemps. (He was 33/1 yesterday with Hills!!)
 
Wasn’t it the same race last year that Sire du Berlais crept round in a never nearer 6th also under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott before winning the final. Think he went off 4/1 at the Festival


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viking said:
Wasn’t it the same race last year that Sire du Berlais crept round in a never nearer 6th also under Davy Russell for Gordon Elliott before winning the final. Think he went off 4/1 at the Festival


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Yup, exactly that. And Sire Du Berlais won the pertemps of OR 145 - Storyteller is 3 lbs lower! (Provided the UK handicapper doesn't put him up).

Could be an absolute good thing - It's difficult to think taking 8/1 today is value - but he could be half the price come the day.
 
Double Handful said:
Yup, exactly that. And Sire Du Berlais won the pertemps of OR 145 - Storyteller is 3 lbs lower! (Provided the UK handicapper doesn't put him up).

Could be an absolute good thing - It's difficult to think taking 8/1 today is value - but he could be half the price come the day.
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Im piling in on the Glenloe, Kim Muir and Storyteller, Pertemps final, double.
 
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Fairly awful piece, IMO at least, from David Jennings in today's RP as to why a five day festival could be a good thing.

Anyhow, his five day festival would be: -

Tuesday
1.15: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
2.00: Racing Post Arkle
2.45: Ultima Handicap Chase
3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle
4.15: Mares' Hurdle
5.00: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase

Wednesday
1.15: Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
2.00: Marsh (JLT) Novices' Chase
2.45: Weatherbys Champion Bumper
3.30: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
4.15: Coral Cup
5.00: Pertemps Network Final

Thursday
1.15: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
2.00: National Hunt Challenge Cup
2.45: New Grade 2 mares' chase
3.30: Stayers' Hurdle
4.15: Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase
5.00: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Friday
1.15: JCB Triumph Hurdle
2.00: RSA Chase
2.45: New Grade 1 2m4f hurdle
3.30: Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup
4.15: St James's Place Foxhunter Chase
5.00: Randox Health County Hurdle

Saturday
1.15: Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle
2.00: Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
2.45: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
3.30: Ryanair Chase
4.15: Mares' Novices' Hurdle
5.00: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

I think I'd go to work on the Thursday, not least because the only half decent race would have been diluted as a result of the new 2m4f hurdle race on the Friday. As for Saturday, I'd probably tune in solely for the 3:30 which would much more likely see the Gold Cup switching places with his proposed Ryanair.
 
wilsonl said:
Fairly awful piece, IMO at least, from David Jennings in today's RP as to why a five day festival could be a good thing.

Anyhow, his five day festival would be: -

Tuesday
1.15: Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
2.00: Racing Post Arkle
2.45: Ultima Handicap Chase
3.30: Unibet Champion Hurdle
4.15: Mares' Hurdle
5.00: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase

Wednesday
1.15: Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
2.00: Marsh (JLT) Novices' Chase
2.45: Weatherbys Champion Bumper
3.30: Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
4.15: Coral Cup
5.00: Pertemps Network Final

Thursday
1.15: Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
2.00: National Hunt Challenge Cup
2.45: New Grade 2 mares' chase
3.30: Stayers' Hurdle
4.15: Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase
5.00: Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle

Friday
1.15: JCB Triumph Hurdle
2.00: RSA Chase
2.45: New Grade 1 2m4f hurdle
3.30: Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup
4.15: St James's Place Foxhunter Chase
5.00: Randox Health County Hurdle

Saturday
1.15: Boodles Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle
2.00: Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
2.45: Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
3.30: Ryanair Chase
4.15: Mares' Novices' Hurdle
5.00: Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

I think I'd go to work on the Thursday, not least because the only half decent race would have been diluted as a result of the new 2m4f hurdle race on the Friday. As for Saturday, I'd probably tune in solely for the 3:30 which would much more likely see the Gold Cup switching places with his proposed Ryanair.
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Absolute joke a 2m4 hurdle. As is the Mares Chase. If a mare is that good, which some are, go for a Ryanair or Gold Cup, that’s a cheap way out.
As for the hurdle don’t get me started. Willie splitting his best 2 up, with potential Champion Hurdle horses probably going for this as the easier option.

Dilutes everything too much. If it isn’t broke don’t fix it. Unfortunately money talks.

The likes of Faugheen would have no doubt gone for the 2m4 race.

The Gold Cup would be a Saturday as well if it went that route
 
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If that were the case I'd only do the first two days and then go home. Thursday and Saturday wouldn't be worth it and I'd watch the Gold Cup at home on Friday. I suspect many others would do the same. Good luck Cheltenham. Get the coaches in because you'll be losing the racing people.
 
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