Nothing Gained

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks Steve, yeah chuffed to bits with Mon Parrain, had him in a single as well, the only sting in the tail was the £5 double with Hunt Ball, so close

Yeah, was already going out for the day anyway, but things just got a bit messier after that, I’ll he touch and go for Cheltenham now

[Nathan Hughes]

Great result today Vtc, well done.
My 80 year old next door neighbour who I get the paper for each morning and put bets on for her from time to time passed away today so your win cheered me up somewhat.

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks Nathan, I’ve watched it back a couple of times this morning, and I owe Paddy Brennan a couple of pints for keeping Saint Are going to get third.

Awful news about your neighbour, I know you did well by her keeping an an eye on her, and I liked the stories of your bets for her. I hope she didn’t suffer and it was very quick.

[Venture to Cognac]

Cheltenham

1245 – Mon Parrain, Saint Are, Our Father
1355 – Hunt Ball, Splash Of Ginge, Tenor Nivernais
50p Combination Exactas, Trifectas

1245 – Exacta Paid £208, Trifecta Paid £2461.50
1355 – Exacta Paid £69.10

+£1928.33

[moehat]

Bloomin’ heck VtC. Congratulations yet again!!

[Gdc1]

VtC does it again – yee haaaa, well done mate

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks Gdc, I was doing a bit of yeeeehaa-ing myself

[homersimpson]

Cheltenham

1245 – Mon Parrain, Saint Are, Our Father
1355 – Hunt Ball, Splash Of Ginge, Tenor Nivernais
50p Combination Exactas, Trifectas

1245 – Exacta Paid £208, Trifecta Paid £2461.50
1355 – Exacta Paid £69.10

Hell fire VTC, only just caught up with this thread. I see it was a nice start to the New Year with this and Rock on Ruby winning

[Venture to Cognac]

Thanks Homer, couldn’t have asked for a better start…….Rock On Ruby winning was the icing on the cake.

[darren83]

Some big handicaps up now 2 in Ireland boylesports hurdle and big handicap chase any thoughts on these.And betfair hurdle only prices i seen so far

[moehat]

Went to Leicester today and a chap we got talking to won a wad of money on an exacta/trifecta something. I must find out more about them. Chatting to same chap and mentioned how I follow Fergals horses; of course I didn’t have a bet on his 14/1 winner there today. Got to say hi to Liam though Love going to Leicester; such a friendly little track.

[Venture to Cognac]

They’re one of my favourite bets Moe, you should give them a try. I wondered if you had bet Feargals 14-1 shot today……..and it turns out you were there, spooky. Brilliant, that must have been some buzz for you meeting Liam. I only watched one race at Leicester today, and that’s cause I had bet Wayward Frolic (from my Worth The Watching thread). Really impressive from him……sadly not in a staying chase like I had in mind for him

[Venture to Cognac]

I was looking over the Boylesports chase the other night Darren, and the one that stood out to me was last years winner He’llberemembered
. I didn’t really rate him for The Kerry National, but he kind of caught my eye after that, and had a couple of pounds on him in The Troytown as my 3rd string. Sorry for the aftertiming, but I bet him last time when he won (first past the post disq) at 33’s in a Lucky 31. I’d started the 31 off with Golden Ticket at 14’s, and thought it was going to be my lucky day, but the rest failed to even place……so I’ll try again with him here, he travelled really well the whole way that day, and I think he’ll be ready to do himself justice over the bigger obstacles.

Back Off Mate
was a late withdrawal in The Paddy Power, but he’s another who I really like, as he’s fairly consistent, and well up for something like this. I’d sway towards Sraid Padraig
of the 2 O’Connell Runners, and at a price Heaney
, who after looking as if he was amiss in The Kerry National, looked a bit more like his old self in The Munster National.

Talking of Handicaps in Ireland, I was looking at the handicap chase this Sunday at Punchestown, and there’s a horse entered who I really like called Too Late Too Sell
, who I’m hoping can pick up a couple of prizes this season.

I haven’t looked properly at The Boylesports Hurdle yet, but jumping off the page was Getoutwhenyoucan
, and I also liked the look of Modem
, Sir Abbot
, and McKinley
.

As for The Betfair Hurdle, although Snake Eyes
is entered up at Leapordstown as well, I’d prefer him for Newbury, and no surprise to see him at the head of the market, but I really like Fascino Rustico
as well, so swaying between those 2.

[moehat]

We watched the bidding for Wayward Frolic; it went to ‘the phone’ at £8,000. Not sure what happens next..if the horse goes home for vetting or has to go straight to it’s new home. All seems a bit sad, really. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse win so easily. Liam always says to say hello if we see him; I wouldn’t cause I’d assume that a] he wouldn’t recognise us and b]he’d be far too busy, but Mike is far more confident than me. Before we met him years ago I went up to him at Market Rasen and asked if he’d sign my Grand National book, which has signatures of a lot of the winning jockeys going back many years and he was quite taken aback and not used to his new found status. I never quite get over how friendly racing folk are or how many people you get chatting to at race meetings. Before I knew Mike I would often go racing on my own and always palled up with various people.

[Venture to Cognac]

I’m not sure of the full process myself Moe……….but I hope he’s happy in his new home.

You and Liam will be on first name terms soon, and sounds like you had a good day, which is what it’s all about.

[Venture to Cognac]

1345 Wetherby – Dark and Dangerous, Wordy’s Boy
£1 Reverse Exacta

1350 Punchestown – Too Late To Sell is a horse I’ve liked for a while now, and travelled well for a long way in some of the more competitive Irish Handicaps last season. He’s come up just short around this mark in those races, but in this slightly less competitive race, he’s worth the risk.
Too Late To Sell, Wordy’s Boy
£1 Reverse Forecast

1425 Warwick – Top Wood, Vandross
£1 Reverse Exacta

Lanzarote Hurdle

All about Tea For Two. Warrantor the backup

Dell Arca, Warrantor, Tea For Two
50p Combination Exactas, Trifectas

1515 Kempton- Midnight Appeal, Chartreux
£1 Reverse Exacta

Classic Chase

I decided not to bet on this Ante-Post, and for once it’s worked out ok………West End Rocker is still 12’s, and drifting, so swings and roundabouts. He’s the main bet, along with Ballyoliver, reluctantly at the expense of his stablemate, Rigadin De Beauchene. I keep going back to his Carlisle win, and if in the same state of mind, the rise in the weights shouldn’t be too prohibitive. 25’s is huge. I might have a small bet on Rigadin. 3 is enough in a race like this, and the 4th horse listed in my Trifecta normally isn’t bet by myself, but 4 it is……Dark Glacier is getting bet, to lay in running. Unfortunately I’m going out drinking early today, and by 1535, laying in running may not be advisable
West End Rocker, Ballyoliver, Rigadin De Beauchene, Dark Glacier
50p Combination Exactas, 40p Combination Trifectas

1545 Kempton – First Avenue, Whitby Jack
£1 Reverse Exacta

+£1843.13

[Venture to Cognac]

Day 1
<span>Festival Handicap</span>
Long term fancy is Our Father
, who’s available at 16’s. As I said elsewhere, he’s very well handicapped, and having bet him twice already this season, including when he should have won The Becher, but for the jockey kicking home "slightly" too soon. He’s available at 16’s, and should go very close. There’ll obviously be plenty of other who’ll appeal once the entries are revealed. If he can overcome his setback, then Midnight Prayer
should be competitive in something like this, as should Ely Brown
, but there’s always the chance he’ll end up over hurdles…….so I’ll wait and see the entries first for those 2.
Bet: Our Father 16’s
Main Fancy: Our Father 16’s
NB: Ely Brown

<span>National Hunt Chase</span>
No bet so far, but once Gigginstown sort their entries out, I’ll have a good look at theirs. Wounded Warrior
appeals the most at this stage. The Job Is Right
really caught the eye in The Paddy Power at Leapordstown over Christmas, and think this would be ideal for him. He’s available at 20’s. Another I like for this race is Oscar Fortune
from the Jonjo O’Neil yard. He’s one I’ll bet if he makes it to Cheltenham, regardless of what race. He’s not priced up for this, but he’d be my main fancy.
No bet so far
Main Fancy: Oscar Fortune
NB: Wounded Warrior 20’s

<span>Rewards4Racing Novices Handicap</span>
Thomas Crapper would be my only fancy for this at the moment. Been running over a trip short of ideal, should get in off a decent mark, and loves Cheltenham.
Bet: Thomas Crapper 16’s
Main Fancy: Thomas Crapper
NB:

Day 2
My least favourite day of the festival, and the ideal day for going out and watching it from the comfort of the pub. I’d love to have a bet in the RSA just now, and one of my favourite Ante-Post races, but bar Seeyouatmidnight, who won’t be going, no bets at this stage. Although there’s 3 listed above for The Champion Chase, not a race I pay too much attention to, and no strong fancy.

<span>Coral Cup</span>
Once he’s priced up, then Get Me Out Of Here, will be my main bet (as usual) in this. I’ll hopefully latch on to another ante-post as well, and considering Bears Affair at 20’s, though I’d love to see him drop just a couple of pounds.
No Bet So Far
Main Fancy: Get Me Out Of Here
NB Bears Affair 20’s

<span>Cross Country
</span>I think Quantitativeeasing
is finally getting the hang of this, and he’s my #1 for this. I’ve a love/hate relationship with him, and in the 2012 Paddy Power, he ended up my biggest ever losing bet. I did have him each way at 33’s in The Galway Plate, and got some of it back…..but he still owes me. Also in the ownership of JP, is Micheal Flips
. In the expert hands of Edna Bolger, the he could be of some appeal too. At the prices available, happy to leave alone for now.
No Bet So Far
Main Fancy: Quantitativeeasing 8’s
NB: Micheal Flips 14’s

Day 3

I may be in the minority here, but easily my favourite day of the 4…..and I’ve had my moments in all these races.

<span>JLT Novices Chase</span>
There’s loads of very decent horses heading here, and I haven’t decided on my main fancy yet. The only decision I’ve made is that Splash Of Ginge will definitely be getting backed each way.
No Bet So Far
Main Fancy:
NB: Splash Of Ginge 16’s

<span>Pertemps Hurdle</span>
All about Sybarite
for me here, and I’ve said enough about him already this season. The 25’s available is too good to resist. Been following him all season, and finished like a train his last 3 starts…..and he’ll do for me. Had this in mind for him since his withdrawal from The Welsh National, which was a sign they were sticking with hurdles this year. Loads I’ve got in my mind as back up, but Trustan Times
, one of my main fancies for Aintree, would be my second choice…….hopefully en route to doing a "Pineau De Re". Trustan was placed in it last year, and I’d be happy with a repeat this year.
Bet: Sybarite 25’s
Main Fancy: Sybarite
NB: Trustan Times

Ryanair

John Spirit
looks tailor made for this, and I’ll bet him on the day. I really like the idea of Rajdhani Express
, or Hunt Ball
to get competitive again this year. Rajdhani has been a let down this season though, and although Hunt Ball is my horse for The "Byrne Group" Plate, I think he could surprise in this too.
Bet: (see above)
Main Fancy: Johns Spirit 12’s
NB: Hunt Ball 50’s

World Hurdle

Really like my old pal Jetson
for this, and 25’s looks cracking each way value. I don’t think Seeyouatmidnight
will disgrace himself at a price, but the decision to re-route Saphir Du Rheu
worries me a lot, as far as my Jetson bet goes. He’s 33’s just now, he’ll be very short on the day.
Bet: (see above)
Main Fancy: Jetson, Saphir Du Rheu
NB:

Byrne Group Plate

Can’t remember the name of the new sponsor <!– s:D –><!– s:D –>
Long term fancy is Hunt Ball
. His runs in The Ryanair, and The Grand National last season were really overlooked in my opinion, and he still remains something of a forgotten horse. As I’ve already said, I consider him a dark horse for The Ryanair, especially after his run in that race last year, but if here wine I’d chance him here. He’s favourite for The Kim Muir at the moment, and after proving he stays that trip comfortably at Aintree last year, he’s also got to be considered for that. After another in the care of NJH, he should be good to go…….and the only certainty at this years festival looks to be that I’ll be backing Hunt Ball on the Thursday <!– s:wink: –><!– s:wink: –> I’ve a few good other in mind for this, and Tenor Nivernais
from the Venetia Williams yard, runs this afternoon, I’ll keep a close eye on him.
No Bet So Far
Main Fancy: Hunt Ball 20’s
NB: Tenor Nivernais n/a

Kim Muir

I’d be delighted to see Cause of Causes
try to go one better in this, following his second last year. Not priced up yet, but I hope it’s the plan. I’ve always liked him, though he went from "slightly disappointing" in The Irish National, to "Rank Rotten" on his seasonal re-appearance. Hopefully I’ll get the chance to see my loyalty rewarded. The type of race where I’ll fancy loads, but I’d like to see the Pipe trained Amigo
go here.
No Bet So Far
Main Fancy: Cause of Causes
NB: Amigo

Day 4

Day 4 is all about The Gold Cup for me, though I do like The County Hurdle, but not decided on one yet. Lyvius
, and Ttebbob
would be on the shortlist, but early days yet.

<span>Gold Cup</span>
As can be seen above, bet many for this, but my shortlist would be Holywell
, Shutthefrontdoor
, Sam Winner
, and Spring Heeled
. I think the Jonjo pair look ideal, and happy with them, but Sam Winner, round Cheltenham would be dangerous to underestimate. Without wanting to get carted away, I’ve decide to make Spring Heeled my biggest bet (not that the others won’t be rewarding <!– s:wink: –><!– s:wink: –> ). He was outstanding here last year, will love the anticipated better ground, and his last run behind Road To Riches over an inadequate 2 miles 6, I was more than happy with. I’d just favour SFTD over the Jonjo pair, though that may be my pocket talking
Bet (see above)
Main Fancy: Shutthefrontdoor 20’s
NB: Spring Heeled 100’s

<span>Grand Annual</span>
Mr Mole
holds a Champion Chase entry, and though very impressive last time, I hope they send him here. 14’s was worth the risk. No other strong fancies, but as I seem to bet Astracad
in it every year, as he continues to slide down the weights, he may be worth an each way pop at 25’s
Bet (see above)
Main Fancy: Mr Mole 14’s
NB: Astracad 25’s

No doubt there’ll be loads more to follow.

[Author]

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