The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

I have a different take as you know.Shishkin didn't want to be there IMO.

At one point he jumped so far to the left I thought what the hell are you doing jumping on behind horse like that Nico?
fearing something would fall and take him with them, but then realized it was the horse and not Nico who did really well to get 2nd in the end under the circumstances.

I actually find it weird Nico doesn't get the praise Barry Geraghty and Co got during their careers.

The guy has won a Gold Cup, was given the responsibilty of riding Nickys best horse, during his illustrious career at the time, in Sprinter Sacre and never put a foot wrong and Ditto Constitution Hill.

Maybe not as strong in a finish as Barry was but as a horseman I would put him right up there with John Francome.
 
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I think Shiskin skewed a few jumps as if he was sore and I agree he did well to come second..
 
The good

Constitution Hill awesome and everything I hoped he’d be
Honeysuckle departing on a high and Rachael Blackmore’s warmth towards the de Bromhead family in the paddock (also after Envoi Allen’s win)
Paul Townend’s fabulous ride on GDC
Making a profit on all 4 days for the first time in 30 years of betting at the festival
The absence of Francesca Cumani and Megan Nicholls from the ITV afternoon team

The bad

Usual corporate hospitality not available this year
Deserting Sire du Berlais having backed him at the last 5 festivals

The ugly

Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden whinging about Team Mullins tactics
Luke Harvey
Matt Chapman
Michael O’Leary


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The Good -Honeysuckle and HdB looking after Young Tubbs.

The bad -can't think of any.

The ugly -Tekao in the Fred Winter -was like a mountain goat after 2 false starts -ran like an absolute headbanger.
 
LUKE said:
The Good -Honeysuckle and HdB looking after Young Tubbs.

The bad -can't think of any.

The ugly -Tekao in the Fred Winter -was like a mountain goat after 2 false starts -ran like an absolute headbanger.
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Tekao cost me proper. My recent betting in the Fred Winter is grim reading.

Tekao - A substantial bet, race lost at the start.
Gaelic Warrior, a max bet, in multiple multis, Beat off 129. A 150 horse.
Saint Sam, should have won.

Lesson, dont bet Willies in the Boodles
 
Ref: Pricing at the festival. Table of increases 2019-2023, below

Theoretically, and very conservatively estimated cost base. Theoretical racegoer: Let's say Diarmuid, who lives in the middle of Ireland (Kilbeggan), is mulling over which festival he will visit, Punchestown or Cheltenham. The costs are arbitrary, but make a point. This does not allocate any customer experience 'taxes' - Diarmuid will need to decide himself if a smile and welcome has a cost value or if a frown and yell carry a cost penalty.


Cheltenham

Fuel to and from Dublin €100
Car parking, Dublin Airport(Cheap Option) €100
Air Travel to Bham, return €200
Car Hire 4 Days €300
Car Park at Course x4 €100
Accomodation x 4 €1200
Club Ticket x 4 €500
1 x Burger, 1 x Pint, 1 Coffee x4 €100
Breakfast, Dinner, Refreshements etc x4 €400
Net Betting Out lay 4 x -100 €400

Cost of Cheltenham €3400


Punchestown

Fuel to and from Dublin €100
Car parking, Dublin Airport(Cheap Option) €0
Air Travel to Bham, return €0
Car Hire 4 Days €0
Car Park at Course x4 €0
Accomodation €800
Club Ticket x 4 €150
1 x Burger, 1 x Pint, 1 Coffee x4 €100
Breakfast, Dinner, Refreshements etc x4 €400
Net Betting Out lay 4 x -100 €400

Cost of Punchestown €1950

Bottom line: It is an expensive excursion to watch the same winners (generally) you will see at home and (b) GB visitors could decide that the 1500 premium would easy cover care hire and airline tickets for a nicer racing experience and a bit of an old city break to Dublin.
lCNVwqHtoarSCUtIlfRlhsFz0FXCVYE1akIcVAyRZs5ZXXyWbeUt8apxitKeZBqjVI Bp6r85Jt4DqF6WxpE3xgLsgoEgFyGRdFUdZstD5RipNct9zFCmlUcTx4WRlraeBZsdmyIhjZXERa1bWyk60GKMVIeZXrilafaP2m5B7VqrIw5v8D3PFvRYe7rDEAAAAASUVORK5CYII=
 

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Like comparing steak with beans on toast.

Everyone has their flat head on by then anyway!
 
The good -
Honeysuckle winning, she's a mare I've always liked and I really wanted to see her go out on a high but the emotion surrounding her win was just amazing and very heartwarming
Brilliant performances by several horses, most notably Constitution Hill and Galopin Des Champs
Nice wins for some smaller yards - Marine Nationale, Corach Rambler and A Dream To Share stand out
The bad -
Having to work on the Wednesday (how dare anyone schedule a conference for the middle of Cheltenham!)
Another year going past without being able to attend in person (although judging by some of the comments about prices and clientele perhaps that is just as well)
 
The Good: The excellence of the racing and the standout performances already mentioned above, and the opportunity to enjoy them in the best of company

The huge cheer when Dysart Dynamo got back to its feet

The reception for Honeysuckle

The success of the new whip rules, despite the unnecessary risk taken with the timing of their introduction

The bad: Messy starts

High prices and their impact on genuine followers. How many of the high rollers at the Festival turn up at other meetings throughout the year?

The aggressive tone of some racecourse stewards and bar staff

The ugly: Rich Ricci’s hairstyle
 
I emailed Cheltenham about the goddamn awful music. They are apparently sorry to hear of my comments and will be passing my views onto the Marketing Manager who arranges the music to “keep our racegoers entertained between races....” FFS!

Appreciate if a few others could fire in an email to them. Or am I the only one who thought it was absolutely dreadful and therefore becoming a grumpy old woman? :whistle:
 
Desert Orchid said:
Not in the GBU category but since we're looking back at the four days...

Days 1 & 2
Sectional Spotlight | At The Races



(Days 3 & 4)
Sectional Spotlight | At The Races
Click to expand...

As before, with SR taking a closer look at individual performances:

Cheltenham Festival Expert Analysis | Cheltenham Festival | At The Races & Sky Sports Racing

It's always good to get a reasoned and measured second opinion on races. I hope to batter into my own figures and conclusions once I get the hard copy results in front of me on Wednesday.

I do find useful the idea of sound reasons for believing for a performance to be reckoned better than the bare figures (the '+' added). It always helps anticipate ongoing improvement and improvers can be invaluable from a punting angle.
 
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Desert Orchid said:
As before, with SR taking a closer look at individual performances:

Cheltenham Festival Expert Analysis | Cheltenham Festival | At The Races & Sky Sports Racing

It's always good to get a reasoned and measured second opinion on races. I hope to batter into my own figures and conclusions once I get the hard copy results in front of me on Wednesday.

I do find useful the idea of sound reasons for believing for a performance to be reckoned better than the bare figures (the '+' added). It always helps anticipate ongoing improvement and improvers can be invaluable from a punting angle.
Click to expand...

I did mention to you many a year ago this was the way to look at races. It is easier to read races now with this data revealed without sitting and split timing each race. That was a road that would wear someone out, I know that. Keep an eye on your own analysis, and Simon's, you will be more informed. But, you will still need to use your own judgement, which I know you will. It is a real handy tool in the toolbox to have. The fact very few punters bother with it is such a good advantage too. It's just mumbo jumbo to most punters. I like mumbo jumbo because it then tends not to be built into future prices.

Really good to see you posting again DO, people like you give me hope that a forum like this will keep going. This forum has the horse watchers, very good ones, race readers, it also has the anoraks like me, well I used to be, I'm lazy now. It then has someone who puts it altogether like you without leaning towards one way or other. I have tended to be a one way looker, it did well for me until it nearly drove me mental;)

The ideal punter is..a good race watcher/reader..someone who can then match up what he has seen on paper for confirmation with anoraky bolloxy maths sh*t?...then..a lucky f**ker:lol:

I know you are thinking about packing the game in, but I really don't think you can, you are so entenched in this like me and probably everyone who posts on here. It is like crack cocaine is horse racing.

I got into it about 1976, that is unbelievably 47 years ago, and I still love the challenge of a 5f handicap at Thirsk..or..a 16 runner handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter. :lol:
 
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:D

I know I can and will give it up. It's the way I am. I also know when I do give it up I won't look back with regrets. I've done it with other things.

1976 is later than I'd imagined. I'd thought you were about the same age as me (67) and I got into the game when I was 15/16 and started a more figures-based approach when I was about 18.

One thing I do know for certain, there's no way I'll be looking at a 5f handicap at Thirsk unless they put up £100k in prize money for it! :lol:
 
Desert Orchid said:
:D

I know I can and will give it up. It's the way I am. I also know when I do give it up I won't look back with regrets. I've done it with other things.

1976 is later than I'd imagined. I'd thought you were about the same age as me (67) and I got into the game when I was 15/16 and started a more figures-based approach when I was about 18.

One thing I do know for certain, there's no way I'll be looking at a 5f handicap at Thirsk unless they put up £100k in prize money for it! :lol:
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Actually DO, I'm 67 this very day. No, I never got into racing until I worked in a foundry when I was about 20. They had a bookie runner there and having a bet saw you through the day shift:blink:

You are a strong minded, awkward sod, like me. You will do what you want to do.

Keep posting though, so I know you are ok.

I was born 21 March 1956, which coincidentally was my Father's birthday, what a present:blink:
 
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Happy Birthday, EC.

In 30 years' time, we'll all be in a pub, 80+ or 90+ to a woman/man for a fair number of us, with maybe even the odd 100+er, reminiscing Constitution Hill's first Champion. And maybe drinking to a fellow forumite's 97th. Now there's a thought!
 
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2017diary said:
Are oldies allowed on this young un's thread? Happy birthday EC, have a good one.
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Here in Thailand 67 expats are not considered old here... unlike the Uk where you are over the hill at 39.

Example: I was with my g/f who was a good bit younger than me in Victoria's night club in Sauchiehall Street
Back then there was 2 sections the rave section and the other part where they played music from the 60's and 70's
The crowd was pretty mixed and we got talking to a girl the same age as my g/f
My G/f had gone to the toilet and the girl said "why is she with an old guy like you?"
At which point before I could say anything my G/f came back and said "right you 2 up and dance"

I said nothing more about it and said ok..Trying to be nice and make conversation I said to the girl "I was at school when that song came out."

Typical Glaswegian slag quipped "Were you the fuckin janitor" and walked off the floor.:blink:

Can't say I miss the attitutude of young people back home.
 
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