Greatest Show On Turf!

[Ken4155]

The day has finally arrived and at 1.30 pm this afternoon, an almighty roar will be heard as the tapes go up on the beginning of the 2014 Cheltenham Festival. The nation's bookies, seeking new custom (like vampires seeking fresh blood), are falling over themselves to entice us to part with our money - though in some cases we need not part with any, such as Stan James who are offering a free £5 bet to anyone, either on line @ www.stanjames.com/freeby (not a link) or by using the token in the Daily Mirror. I have taken advantage of a few of these offers and the one i really like is Paddy Power's offer of money back should your selection finish 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in the opening race, to a maximum of £50.

For what it's worth, my idea of the winner of the first race - 1.30 - is WICKLOW BRAVE @ 7/1, despite the fact that stable jockey Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride Vautour. Good luck.

[berniecuddles]

1st 2 days £140 up not bad,so tomorrow is a hard day so one bet only in 3.20 Annie power

[Psybbo]

I agree with Annie Power, I hope I haven't put the scud on it Bernie x

[berniecuddles]

looks good to me psybbo xx

[Svejk]

lend us a fiver, bernie.;-)

[Psybbo]

Canny man, well done Bernie

[berniecuddles]

faugheen today in the 1st looked like its gonna be a goodun for the future

[berniecuddles]

lol svejk

[ELVIS68]

Just got home after popping in local and doing £40 in their fruit machine

The way my luck is if I was in a marching band I'd be on the piano and they'd be marching uphill

Oh well another battle tomorrow and I'm going for Big Bucks in the big un

[Psybbo]

And I'd be on the piano stool!

[Ken4155]

I'm going to watch Line Of Duty, then i'll be studying the stats until about 1 a.m. Hoping to unearth more like Quevega, Faugheen and Sire De Grugy.

[berniecuddles]

have backed Annie power 3.20 tomorrow @13/8 an hour ago best price guaranteed

[Ken4155]

Definitely looks to be a straight match between BB and AP. Questions for both to answer; Is BB as good as ever and can AP stay the distance with enough speed to win the race.

[ELVIS68]

I thought Big Bucks ran a blinder on his comeback race after a year out and will be hard to beat tomorrow , Annie Power will have to prove she stays the trip whereas Big Bucks has been there and done it, my only concern is the jockey.

Ruby will use this to his advantage and stalk Big Bucks all the way but I'll stay loyal and lump on Big Bucks

[Ken4155]

Elvis, i agree with you. Having just this minute finished studying the stats for the race - compass and slide-rule at the ready - i've come to the opinion that that comeback race which saw Big Bucks beaten into 3rd, less than a length off the winner, was nothing short of miraculous after a 14 month absence. Much was said - and much more written - about the performance of Sam Twiston-Davies in the saddle but it later transpired that he was riding to orders. I think he will be given more of a free reign (pardon the pun) to ride the race as he sees it. Annie Power is definitely a star of the future but, at the prices (11/8 AP. 3/1 BB) i'd much rather be on the tried and tested animal.

[Ken4155]

Having had a good look at all the six races on day 3, i have a suspicion that we will see quite a number of non-runners with the drying conditions going against many of the fancied horses. With that in mind, here are my tentative selections. Obviously if their trainers are willing to run them, i will not be changing them. But there will only be small bets on the majority.

Double Ross, Lie Forrit, Al Ferof, Big Bucks, Georgio Quercus, Buddy Bolero.

[ELVIS68]

Big Bucks available @ 4/1 now

My selections today

1.30 Double Ross e/w
2.05 Utopie Des Bordes e/w
2.40 Rajdhani Express e/w
3.20 Big Bucks
4.00 Sew On Target e/w, Tartak e/w
4.40 Spring Heeled e/w

Good luck everyone

[ELVIS68]

Oops, nearly forgot my old mate

3.20 Celestial Halo e/w

[Ken4155]

Lie Forrit is a n/r so i have replaced it with Uncle Jimmy. Have taken the following prices on my selections (above); 14/1, 20/1, 11/2, 4/1, 20/1 & 14/1. The two shorter prices are decent win bets, the others have been done in win and e.w singles and doubles. And, just in case, a lucky 15 and e.w. acca which if all place would return approx £450. Should the proverbial miracle happen and all 4 win, well that would be a tasty £187,000 - for a £10 stake. Dream on, Ken:-)

[Svejk]

oscar whiskey
fingal bay
al ferof
big bucks
bless the wings
indian castle

wont be betting big today. saving my money for wolverhampton tonight.;-)

[Svejk]

and a stamp for this begging letter i'm sending to ken.