Cheltenham racing.

[Frank Manning]

I am not a betting man, but I am really enjoying the racing coverage from Cheltenham on Channel 4. Some beautiful horses, some inspring stories e.g. Dodging Bullets win yesterday, and several good outsiders including A P McCoy's win today. Sue wanted me to back "Call the cops", but I dont bet, which is a pity because it won hansomely.Sue comes from a "horsey" family and has a good eye for a horse, in fact her Grandad looked after the horses of Sir Alfred Munnings, and Lord Ebury in the past. As I say, really enjoyable day time TV.

[gfwgfw]

Evening Frank

Happy memories for me attending this great event as a representative of my then paymaster

Hope all is well with you and yours on your patch of Gods County

Graham

[Onelife]

Hi Frank,

As you are probably aware this is my favourite week of the year as far as racing goes. The drying ground has made for the best racing I've seen for years...my gawd the speed at which they are approaching the fences is breathtaking.

I drew a blank on the first day with only one of my three selections finding a place. Day two was a little better finding Dodging bullets and a placed 33/1 shot from my five selections... alas still only £8 profit over the two days

Today put a smile on my face as I backed Uxizandra at 16/1 singularly and in a lucky 15 which together returned £129 profit ...then blow me down I only went and had a silly £1 ew on Darna at 33/1 leaving me with an overall profit on the day of around £140....good work if you can get it Frank.

Seeing that you'll be tuning in tomorrow you might like to have something to call home... here are the donkey's I'll be backing tomorrow.

Peace and Co

Commisioned

Road to Riches

Aerial

Royal Irish Hussar

Eastlake..anti post 16/1

Btw Frank....thankfully very few fallers of which only one has sustained an injury

Best wishes

Keith

[Frank Manning]

I'll remember those OL and cheer them on. I think it might be softer tomorrow after the rain overnight. I was looking at Wishful Thinking in the Ryanair, but he was pulled up, and Uxizandre was a worthy winner, he just ran away from them and the lead lengthened after the last. I bet you thought they would catch him. I think they were worried about Sprinter Sacre yesterday but the trainer says he seems OK now. I am recording it all so that I can replay and enjoy it over the weekend when I have more time.

[Onelife]

You're right Frank......at the pace Uxizandra was traveling l was thinking he wouldn't last home, especially as it was a step up in distance...no worries he saw it out well and never looked like surrendering his lead.

I hope Nicky Henderson/owners decide to retire Sprinter as he seems a shadow of the brilliant horse he once was.

I agree with you about tne forcast rain and l'm more than concerned for a couple of my selection as they wouldn't want it to soft.....l'll let you know if l change my mind.....wouldn't want you calling home the wrong donkeys

Regards

Keith

[Onelife]

Hi Frank....was hoping for better but here are today's results....

Peace and Co... 1st 2/1

Commisioned... NR

Road to Riches 3rd 8/1

Aeria 0

Royal Irish Hussar NR

Eastlake..antipost 16/1 2nd

Lost half of what I won yesterday but still up on the week k

Roll on next year

Keith

[Frank Manning]

Sue wanted to back Thomas Brown, then No More Heroes in the Abert Bartlett but I talked her out of it. Really pleased for the connections associated with Coneygree, what a game trier that is. Someone described him as hanging on at the end but in the last 25 yards he was going away from them again. Made a monkey out of last year's winner.

I'm not sure Sprinter Sacre is finished yet, he might have just not liked the ground, or have been feeling a bit off. Sue says they have the minds of 3 year old children, she goes into raptures when she gets near them, as bad as some people with their cats or dogs. But I have to say that if it wasn't such a mugs game I would be at the races. Knocks the spots off football. Great sport all four days.

[Onelife]

Hi Frank,

Couldn't agree more about the sensational performance of Conegree....just goes to show 'fairy tales do come true'....

I understand what you are saying about Sprinter Sacre and l'm in no doubt there are still races to be won with him....but at what level is another matter. I think most racing fans would prefer him to be retierd as the true champion he surely was rather than seeing him risk injury competing in lower grade races?

The highlight for me....not sure if it was down to good training or just good fortune but the jumping was of the highest calibre...fantastic racing.

Regards

Keith

[jay-ell71]

Glad you all enjoyed the Festival. Me? I am just glad to get my town back. Tried to get to the Hairdressers at 10 am yesterday, (of course I am always unaware of the racing calendar when I book appointments) and the road was completely solid. The traffic signals failed to control the flow, and the police were not in evidence. Of course I did get there, but it looked doubtful for a while. The police eventually arrived to help out.

[Onelife]

Hi Jay,

I can only imagine what it must be like having half the population of Ireland decending on your lovely town....even worse if you have a hair appointment to keep

On the few occassions that l have visited Cheltenham l have found the road system to be a complete nightmare...often going round in circles numerous times before finding my way out... incidentally our daughter has put Gloucester (Cheltenham) university down as her second choice so I'm keeping my fingers crossed she gets into York

I'm sure it must be a nuisance trying to get from A to B during Cheltenham week but l'm sure you'll be the first to acknowledge the benefits that 'Cheltenham' brings to businesses in and around your town

Regards

Keith

[jay-ell71]

Hi Keith
The road system in this town is such that I have no idea how strangers visiting, ever find their way!! We have just had a main thoroughfare closed for three months while they modernised our ancient sewer system. This was part of the A40! We had to be very knowledgable about "rat runs" to get about satisfactorily. It was completed for Race week, of course.
We try not to moan too much about the crowds, because, as you say, they bring lots of money into the town; and also the punters have such a great time. With the new stand going up and being ready for next year, we will have even more people and cars here. We are planning to be away!!
I hope your daughter does come to Gloucestershire University, I am sure she will have a great time here.

[Frank Manning]

It has always been a difficult place for traffic. I used to attend meetings of the CEGB there in the 1970's.

[jay-ell71]

Frank... it is MUCH worse now!!!