Forum Replies Created
- Posts
I think you’re all missing out on the way the Irish state supports horse racing. For Boris Johnson it’s way down the list and can only be a hassle. Irish governments, for the moment, see the value there is in racing. Part of that is the traditional parties in control (a change in who governs could change things up.) Part of it is the money for the Irish economy it produces, through various, if small tax income, but also directly and indirectly in employment, and indirectly from the taxes on employment and tourism. And part of that, very much so, is fueled by there being a general appreciation for horse racing above what there would be in Britain. It’s not as strong as it was, there are definitely people complaining that however million goes to horse racing should be going to homeless people, but the governments that we have (and have had) at some level appreciate what horse racing provides. Horse racing is a medium sized fish in a small pond in Ireland, in the UK it’s a small fish in a large pond, at least in public perception and how it contributes to the state, culture, economy, etc.
You have to take it out of your own funds, and then it’ll be returned after (if you don’t win, I’m guessing.) You don’t get any free bet credits.
Also, something that caught me out was it has to be your first bet on the next ITV race. Not your first bet after qualifying in the previous race (like I thought) but your absolute first bet.
For me, outside of the likes of Blackmore being top jockey, Tiger Roll enjoying himself, and Minella Indo doing me a favour with style, it’ll be that I started out the week in silence and quietness at home (both from fan noise and the atmosphere actually in my home) and ended the week with people joining me.
Tuesday everything was quiet, just me watching the races. Wednesday, I’d call one person when the race was about to begin and they’d watch just the race. By Friday everyone in the house was in the room and watching the TV. I think that sums up this Festival for me. It started off slow, with little buzz except outside of horsey people. By Friday, with the media coverage of the amazing stories that happened, all natural stories from the racing, not invented by TV, people were interested because of what was happening and it felt more like a proper festival.
Thanks, Nathan! I’ll try and commit myself to at least ten days of clean living (until my next paycheque, plus one) and therefore being able to spare €11 for the Simon Community myself.
As always mentioned in those never ending Bryony Frost threads, Rachael is light years ahead of them and not one seeking the spotlight all the time.
I think, if given the chance, Frost will be a trainer. Blackmore has that Gordon Elliot cute hooer aspect about her, a bit thick when it comes to dealing with outsiders, and not whatever it is she has to do (which she’s the best at,) but Frost has a bit of gladhadding game about her, and she obviously loves horses.
I did not do the tricast because I have opinions about every race, or feel like I should have an opinion and I should put a bet on an Irish track when I’m watching. That’s how the bookies get their hooks in you. You feel like you’re due a winner, when even breaking even is something you should be happy with. I’m down 10.6 points this Cheltenham, including a few parade ring bets I shouldn’t have placed, but I still had a great Cheltenham. Some guys can make money from horses, and it’s a way of life, but many can’t. Many destroy themselves for it, and they can’t support themselves, or they don’t have the support of friends or family, who might be at their wit’s end. Other people enjoy the posting on forums, and having a few beers too many, and cheese, rashers and bread for dinner, and don’t put their entire worth on what is a sport. And they don’t let everything rest on escaping forever with gambling, or getting one up on their own demons, or alcohol, or even worse. I’m glad to have this week with you lot. It’s a very special week for me, one I’ve enjoyed for the past three years as my circumstances allowed. Some people’s circumstances don’t allow the kind of joy and freedom we all have. Some hit and are hit with gambling, drugs, alcohol, sex, or simple bad health, with no-one to help them through the turmoil they’re experiencing.
Nathan Hughes, god bless you, it was only a pick of some horses, but good on you for being willing to give up ten quid and get a bit of chat going. If you could donate the £10 to the Cork Simon Community, a community right at the edge of dealing with homeless services I’d be more than thankful. They have a website, https://www.corksimon.ie/ There’s a donate button in the top right corner and I’m sure you can figure it out. Really it’s from all of us who are so lucky to be blessed that we can watch an amazing week’s racing and talk about horses online.
(My big speech after my first Cheltenham win
)My best selection has been taken (APT/ABP/Kem) so I’ll go with my value bets
Minello Indo
A Plus Tard
Al Boum PhotoI’m only a chancer. If I didn’t have The Opening Show to watch at 9.30, after waking at 7.30, I’d be on the beers from the off. It’s like Cheltenham methadone.
And ITV is a satellite feed for me, so a few seconds faster than my RTV stream which drops in quality on my rural connection. Plus it’d mean sitting in front of a computer rather than in front of the TV.
You come across horses like Tiger Roll if you’ve ever ridden. They’re absolute stars, they’ll ride for you for their early life, when the competition is serious. As they get older they’ve seen everything they’ve wanted to from anything you can show them. They might become stubborn, but it’s not because they’re grumpy, it’s just they’re looking for a nice life after all the trouble of serious business riding, including being at beck and whim of the rider. However, give them a bit of excitement, offer them the chance to do something they want to do themselves and they’ll have so much fun no other horse can come near.
I had a pony like that, maybe sixteen or seventeen years old. He’d won plenty of kids’ showjumping events, but was semi-retired and we had him as a great pony that just wanted to eat grass and boss around an upstart riding child like me. I tried to get him over some showjumping fences a few times, he had the better of me, just refused no matter how I flapped my legs. We downgraded, put a pole on the ground and tried to get him to step over it. Not a chance. The horse didn’t want to be near a pole, let alone a showjumping ring. He was not having it. However, we were on the beach once. I was an inexperienced/young/beginning rider and was in that group. A group ahead of us of older kids were allowed canter down the beach, we went a minute later and were told to trot our ponies. Lucky did not like this. This was a beach, wet sand and waves rolling in with an ocean breeze, this was not a showjumping arena, this was his place to enjoy his retirement. I lead him into a trot, and he just opened up. Not a trot, not a canter, but galloping down the beach. I hung on for dear life. He caught up with the older kids cantering in front of us, and encouraged a few more to break out into a gallop. A few of the more experienced kids fell at this outbreak of horses dominating their riders. Lucky thought this was hilarious. There was no stopping him, because running on a beach, for him, was what he deserved and what he wanted to do. He was the same with cross country. He took me over ditches and hedges, and down ledges I had no right to be going down at the age of nine.
I think Tiger Roll is the same. He wants to enjoy himself. It was a big occasion, and he knew it (and was made to know it, because you can’t dismiss experienced trainers and stablehands,) and it was a race where he could have the fun he wanted to have. You can’t come near a horse like that, because it’s all the horse living their own life, and it was an absolute joy to watch him.
I have to say one thing ITV (sometimes) get right is they interview the stable hands. If they want “the human touch” it’s much better to interview someone involved with the horses than some nobber downing pints (at the usual festival) or reading out messages from Twitter.
Something I’ve noticed is even the general “online” buzz is completely different. The people who are into horse racing anyway (even if they only watch Cheltenham and big meets) are all still around, but the random person paying attention just isn’t there. I’m on a few forums, and there’s the people who always post, but no-one dropping in to say they watched when they normally wouldn’t.
I wonder how much pubs play into this (at least in Ireland.) If I was to guess I’d say there were actually plenty of people who wandered down to the pub on their own, other years, and sat by themselves and posted with their pals on the internet in between what was happening on the TVs.
I was talking to my mother yesterday morning, and she said she loves Cheltenham because of the pubs near her office. She’d go for a sandwich for lunch, and the pub would be packed (although I’m sure someone offered her a spot at a table) and there’d be people downing pints, and roaring and cheering. I’d imagine plenty of people took a long lunch from their workplace, then phoned in after a couple to say they wouldn’t be back that afternoon, and this snowballed for the week with the atmosphere growing (and these same people would be creating buzz online.) Without that “festival” feeling (festival outside of the actual Cheltenham course) people just aren’t bothered sitting at home (with working from home) and tuning into horse racing, because it’s not so much the racing they love as the excitement of it all.
And I’ll be honest here. I love the excitement of the racing at Cheltenham. It’s one of the few times in a year you can be guaranteed there’ll be decent chat about the racing, with many people lumping on bets, even if it’s only talking online. I just don’t see that this year.
3:00 – Ballinrobe – Church Lane – 33/1 ew – 2pts
Totally blind on this one, but the race looks very close, and an unsighted horse might be exactly what it needs.3:30 – Ballinrobe – Feagreen Native – 15/2 ew (4 places) – 2pts
A quick return for this horse. I saw it run on Saturday, and it was doing quite well until it unseated the rider. This seems to be a problem with the horse, but there’s both confidence in the market, and I think the ground is a little bit drier based on how the horses have been running, so I’m hoping Feagreen Native’s propensity to cause problems on heavier ground is allayed a little.
1:30 – Ballinrobe – Bachelor – 33/1 ew – 2pts
2:00 – Ballinrobe – Romella – – 9/1 ew (4 places) – 2pts
2:30 – Ballinrobe – Hammersmith – 9/1 ew – 2pts
Down 112.34 presuming I don’t get something out of this race.
5:35 – Killarney – Stand up and Fight – 33/1 ew – 2pts
It’s getting to the point where I need to stop recording my win/loss, it’s just embarrassing at this stage. I am having fun, so I won’t stop betting on the races (for paltry amounts.) Although I think it was a mistake up’ing my bets after a good win in European football. Shoulda stuck to my slow drip of losing on the horses.
Down 98.34
3:25 – Killarney – Mrs Davies – 16/1 ew – 2pts
4:00 – Killarney – Cherif De L’isle – 13/2 – 2pts
4:35 – Killarney – Macho Mover – 66/1 ew – 2pts
And watching Stand Up and Fight in the 5:35 because it’s a good Munster name.
)