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1710: Thanks to Tony McCoy, it's been a solid start to the Festival on the punting front. His heroics on Wichita Lineman gave us the undoubted riding performance of the day. Yes, he was riding a strong stayer, but it was a strong stayer who hardly lifted a leg for most of the race and who needed all of his persuasive powers to get his head home in front. "Words can't desribe his dedication to the game and his will to win, and the other side of him, his sympathetic nature," said birthday boy JP McManus after the race. On the equine side, Punjabi, Celestial Halo and Binocular served up a Champion Hurdle finish to remember, the three giving their all in the final stages despite having set fearsome fractions in the early stages. Quevega looks a top-class mare and should make her mark against the boys in the future, while Go Native and Forpadydeplasterer meant that the Irish were celebrating at both ends of the day. Jonny Rose wins the award for best email of the day having sacrificed the lure Cheltenham for his son's first birthday party - good luck with the second leg of your 'Festival bankers' each-way double and email me with your Skybet account details. That'll teach your colleagues to under-estimate your tipping talents... Until the morning, it's over and out from Cheltenham.
1655: Agh, the distances, the distances. Oh dear.
1653: Quevega gets a quote of 20/1 for next year's Champion Hurdle.
1647: Apart from that good thing, of course. One noted scribe spent the closing stages shouting 'Oi, oi'. I can't identify him, but earlier today he called Quevega a 'he' as he marked his punters' cards. Everyone seems to be a winner on that one, there was a remarkable cheer she went to the front before the second-last flight. The punters seem to be just about back in front. One Sky Bet punter certainly is, having placed a 50p e/w accumulator on the first five winners and picked up over £35,000 on the bet.
1635: Whoever sent me the email saying that he was going to be laying all the good things at the Festival this year can't have made a bad start with Binocular, L'Ami and Cousin Vinny all getting turned over.
1633: Binocular is the 6-1 favourite for next year's Champion Hurdle with Sky Bet and Totesport. I can't say I'd be rushing in. Twelve months seems a long time away.
1623: At the end of this first day, my artist's muse is starting to wear out. I am taking on Quevega here with United. Yes Quevega is supposedly a machine. As someone said to me earlier on, "She's not favourite because of what she's done on the racecourse". But I didn't like that quote from Willie Mullins - "I hope this doesn't come too soon for her." Trainers very rarely mention things like that unless it is really weighing on their mind. United, who has run a cracker here before in the World Hurdle a couple years ago, looks a lot safer. It might just be a race for a total boil-over.
1611: It's a hard game. Mind you, as long as something doesn't win the last by more than 12 lengths, I collect on the distances bet. And there's a bit of Placepot left too. One must always try and look on the bright side. People in the press room are saying knowingly 'That L'Ami was never going to go through with it', 'He's an old rogue' etc etc. They are right, I am wrong. I think happy thoughts.
1610: Oh for goodness sake. I thought I told you, Nina. Not today.
1607: I'm sensing another McManus moment here.
1605: Is there a less interesting two miles at the whole of the Festival than the first two miles of the cross-country race? Go on L'Ami.
1600: I bet Paul Struthers stops typing and watches this race though. Bushes? What bushes? Did they change the rules after that race earlier the season? Or keep them the same? I can't remember. I hope L'Ami's jockey knows.
1555: Who would have thought that I would end up finding my best bet of the first day in the Cross-Country race. I don't think I've ever watched the first two miles before.
1550: Punters are steaming into L'Ami - now 7/4 across the board. I'm feeling so confident, I'd have more on if it wasn't madness given that he was 3/1 less than a week ago. He's going to win, isn't he?
1540: The time of the Champion was nothing special at all - in fact, a tenth of a second slower than the Supreme Novices'. They must have been running on empty close home.
1532: I suppose it's inevitable that whenever a horse wins who has let you down before, you feel a sort of sense of betrayal. Why did you have to run so well today, Punjabi? I think I remember them saying he was a 'spring horse' in the past, but it's hardly been spring-like weather, has it? So I take that with a pinch of salt. In the end, horses that looked like they were going to finish out with the washing half a mile out have stayed on to finish only a couple of lengths adrift so the early gallop must have really taken its toll. In those circumstances, the first two deserve plenty of credit for the way they stuck on so bravely up the hill to fight out the finish. And who would have thought that of the three, it would be Binocular who looked two miles around Cheltenham wasn't enough of a test? Plenty of talking points. Great race.
1526: Sorry, I've been going through my accounts trying to remember who I've backed Wichita Lineman with. The answer is that I'm still not sure, although I seem to have backed Somersby each-way, which I don't remember doing. Is this how the professionals do it? At a decent price, I'm on Sublimity here. I still have the faith. I think Binocular might well win, but in a field as big as this, I'll take the chance to leave it alone.
1510: Quick reflection on earlier. Patrick Mullins said of Cousin Vinny: "Two miles is too short for him - he was outspeeded." Willie Mullins said: "We'll be looking to run him over a longer trip at Punchestown. He travelled over here all right but once he arrived at Cheltenham he just didn't settle - he wouldn't eat or drink." David Casey must have lied to Mick Fitzgerald (see earlier). I am astonished.
1506: I have only just seen Patsy Hall's fall at the second last. That was an interesting ride, wasn't it?
1457: The horse hardly met a single fence right, but just like in his win in the Albert Bartlett two years ago where he also traded at long odds against in running on Betfair, he somehow snatched victory from an impossible-looking position. McCoy was shaking the reins, waving his whip and generally having to work his magic from about a mile in. Maljimar was robbed.
1454: Wow. Just wow. We all know what Wichita Lineman's game is and that he would be in trouble at some stage, but what an incredible burst in the final 50 yards. What a ride.
1436: And Possol. Vive backing the favourite and second-favourite. What a judge I must be.
1435: Ruby Walsh gets onto Dear Villez. I am all over the Lineman. It's time for the punters to fight back with a well-backed winner. Vive la revolution.
1431: It's raining. Kettley was right. How could I have doubted him?
1424: Star de Mohaison is a non-runner in the next race.
1420: Feel a bit robbed with Cornas. Never seen it travel so well until that mistake at the second-last. Never mind. Onwards. Ever onwards.
1410: I thought the Irish were supposed to have a rubbish Festival? Clearly nobody told them. Is that another chorus of the Irish Rover I hear? The celebrations have started already in the winner's enclosure. If you always back horses who have red and white colours, then you've got the Exacta. Jolly well done. The Placepot lives though. Which is nice.
1405: Do I know more than Paul Nicholls? I've backed I'msingingtheblues (and Cornas) when the champion trainer, no less, is quite adamant that it's Tatenen who has the better chance of his pair. Who knows more? Let's find out.
1403: Copper Bleu was fourth in the opener, Charlie. The reliability - or otherwise - of certain websites is causing much angst in the press room at present. It would be unprofessional of me to name names.
1400: Jonny Rose was forced to choose between the Cheltenham Festival and his son's first birthday by his wife. With a bit of lateral thought, I'm sure you could have managed both JR - there's a McDonalds only a mile around the corner in Swindon village. If you'd booked the party from 1.30 to 4.30, you'd have got back just in time. Good luck with your double on Garde Champetre and Juveigneur.
1358: I have a funny feeling that Cornas might run well here. I don't know why. I just think he might appreciate a bit of rough and tumble in his races.
1356: Yes it's not his fault the horse can't jump, but the jockey didn't seem able to keep him straight under pressure. I'll give him another chance - at Punchestown maybe.
1354: I won't make myself popular with some people for saying this, but after watching a few replays, I can't help but think that Cousin Vinny would have at least made the frame under stronger handling.
1348: The second and third horses have both run absolute stormers there. Medermit lost at least the winning margin when Cousin Vinny made a mistake in front of him at the last and Somersby was clueless at several of his hurdles and showed his inexperience all the way round. Let's hope the experience of this hard race brings him forward rather than knocks him back. I'm pretty sure Best Mate finished placed in the Supreme Novices'. Cousin Vinny ran well enough but made mistakes just when he didn't need them.
1340: William Hills' betting on the decibel reading from the crowd pays out on 108.4 - louder than the Carling Cup final crowd last weekend. That's a fine effort, considering that numbers look down this year. Well done us.
1338: What a start for the Placepot too. And Copper Bleu beat Ainama for the match bet too. And the distance was only a neck. Homer was right, after all. I can't lose. (Please don't remind me of the above comments when I am driving home on Friday night with tears in my eyes).
1337: Yesssssssssssssssssssss!
1336: Did Somersby get up for third? Did he?
1330: I'm sure there's something in this race I still haven't had a bet on, but it's too late to worry about now. It's Shoreacres, Somersby, Ainama and Michael Flips for me. And some others. Good luck everyone.
1327: Someone who I'd better not name as I don't want to get them sacked has sent me all of his selections for the day, starting with Golan Way in the Supreme Novices' and I'msingintheblues (must be backed each-way surely) in the Arkle. The email was called 'Value'. Interestingly at the bottom of his email, there is an electronic signature for the company he works for listing all of his employers' "values". These include "Openness", "Collaboration" and "Innovation". Perhaps he ought to ask them to include "each way" too.
1313: I really can't see anything winning by more than half a dozen lengths today. It's got tobe 'Under 18' on the day at 13/8. Right, that's it. No more bets now. Be strong. I know it's Cheltenham, but you can do it. Who are you talking to, anyway? Doctor?
1306: Late news. Peter says "lump on Kempes, it will storm up the hill." I hadn't even thought about that one. Now I'll have to do a whole new load of exactas.
1304: Ken from Hong Kong has joined in the throng of happy readers from around the globe (although his email address says Ruth, suggesting that all may not be as it seems). God knows what time it is there, but he fancies Torphichen and United today. I can't decide about Torphichen. A lot of very clued-up people are telling me to back him, but I can't see how he can be five or six times shorter in the betting than a horse like Shoreacres, who ran a cracker in the bumper last year and who has gone close against Mad Max over hurdles. I have backed him and Somersby for a place. But nothing would surprise me today. I am unsurpriseable.
1302: To contradict the post below it's been 10 minutes since I had a bet on anything, so I'm going to have a combination exacta on the first race. Get one British and one Irish-trained horse in the first two and you can get some juicy dividends usually.
1250: It really does sound like I've backed everything, doesn't it? I haven't, I really haven't. I haven't backed Quevega in the last, for example, and it seems that everyone else in the world has.
1247: Another email vote has come in for Possol in the William Hill Trophy. I worry that he's a case of all that glitters isn't gold - he looked as if he was screaming out for a stiffer track when second in the Racing Post Chase having been about the first off the bridle in the race. Surely it's just too obvious to think that he must run well here off a mark only 2lb higher - but I've backed him each-way anyway (five places with some firms...)
1231: A friend of mine recently won a large four-figure sum on a small-stakes multiple bet. Last night I was debating with my brother how much we would tell our respective other halves we had won if we had pocketed the same amount. I suggested £600 and my brother said that he would be too unable to conceal his happiness to get away with such a small figure. I need to think these things through in preparation for today's huge Placepot win.
1227: Everywhere you look around the racecourse, there are gangs of people making strange stamping gestures and prodding assorted bits of wood and metal into the turf. Meanwhile, Robert Thornton is being interviewed in the winner's enclosure. I wish someone would give him a haircut. I'm sure he think he's all rock-star, but he just looks bedraggled. And don't get me started on Christian Williams.
1220: Emails are flooding in from around the world. Well, I say around the world, it's just Europe and Canada really, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Charlie says he has just trudged to a public computer (I don't think we have them over here - where is it? In the middle of a street somewhere? Do you have to queue and pay 10p to use it?) in Newfoundland to tell me that he would like Henrietta Knight (who is charming, she really is - it's not an act) to have another Festival winner. Having backed Somersby to be placed in the first, I'd be delighted if his wishes come true. I feel a bit like Homer Simpson in the episode where he buys dozens of tickets for the lottery, spreads them out across the coffee table and says "I've got so many tickets, we can't lose!". Even the Placepot's been sorted out.
1215: There's no doubt that with the big fields, this year's Festival looks even harder than ever when it comes to fathoming out the winners. But don't be deterred, Rory from Belfast, therewards are even greater if you get it right. You might be right about Calgary Bay being each-way value, but somehow I can't see him winning. In fact, I harbour suspicions that he might be a bit of a softie (another Racing Demon, basically). There is going to be a frantic gallop in the Arkle and it could end up being the battle of the streetfighters. Personally I really liked what I'msingingtheblues did at Doncaster against older, experienced rivals. Four places for each-way punters - yes please, sir.
1213: Lothian Falcon is another non-runner in the William Hill Trophy. I reckon that'll be about it now. Apparently, Willie Mullins has managed to shoehorn eight into the bumper tomorrow.
1150: I like intelligent emails. Richard Williams uses the word 'acquiesce' in his, which definitely scores points. He's another fan of Othermix in the Champion Hurdle, the ex-French dark horse making his debut for Tom George. Maybe I need to have another look at this race; there's enough of them to be going through.
1145: I often wonder how Best Mate would feel if he knew that the centrepiece of 'his' enclosure is the Desert Orchid Stand. What if they weren't friends? Has Jim Lewis got any runners this week? I do so love a sing-song.
1140: How they used to laugh when I started out on the blog trail. Now everyone's doing it. Even Paul Struthers, the BHA's immaculately-turned-out mess-getter-out-of, is having a go this week. He has a nice pink shirt on, which looks like it wasn't bought in Asda (like mine). You've got to keep your overheads down in this game. He'll learn.
1125: Cannot see Tatenen out of the frame in the Arkle? Back him with Sky Bet at the best price of 4/1 and get your money back if he finishes second, third or fourth - they offer an extra place for each-way punters on the race. I've got to fancy Copper Bleu to beat Ainama in a match bet at 5/6 with the same firm (although I'd fancy it more at 10/11!!!). It's what happens when neither horse is involved in the finish that often affects the outcome of these sort of bets and Tony McCoy has developed a habit of easing right off in the closing stages when his mount is out of contention. If Ainama doesn't finish in the first four, I'd confidently expect the consistent Copper Bleu to finish in front of him.
1113: Having turned down the 100-30 freely available early this morning, I now find myself tempted by the 3-1. What a curious thing this gambling game is. For me, it's the same situation as with Kasbah Bliss. I want to back him, but I don't really trust the jockey. And I just don't bet when I don't trust the jockey. So why am I thinking of backing him? Aaaaaagh, it's too early for this sort of thing.
1108: No sooner have the gates opened than Cousin Vinny's price is under threat. There are boards bookmakers showing 11/4 outside and the last of the 3/1 doesn't look like it will hang around for much longer. Paddy Power report that more than 48 per cent of their total take on the race has been on the favourite.
1105: Aachen is out of the first and runs in the County Hurdle on Friday instead.
1058: L'Ami is a certainty today, isn't he? Yes, it's a silly race. Yes, L'Ami is hardly a prolific winner. Yes, he's got loads of weight. But this is a class horse running against a hotchpotch of old crocks and has-beens. Only 12 months ago, he carried 11-0 into a solid third place in the William Hill Trophy. This should be a comparitive walk in the park. At the weights, you can make various cases for various others - but L'Ami should win, shouldn't he?
1047: Aside from being inundated with emails from the various bookmakers I have accounts with, my inbox is distinctly on the light sidethis morning. Come on people - it's one for all and all for one on this blog. I need your tips!
1043: Only 3 non-runners: I'm So Lucky (ground) in the Arkle (2.05), Hobbs Hill (VC) in the William Hill (2.40), Sizing Europe (self-certificate) in the Champion Hurdle (3.20). Meanwhile, 13 minutes after the gates opened, I have just seen a bookmaker take a cash bet on the opener. Always best to avoid the rush.
1030: Three hours to go before the first race and the gates are about to open to the paying public. Brilliant. The Irish love nothing more than a banker in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle but Cousin Vinny has been surprisingly easy to back this morning. Rumours were circulating yesterday that all was not well with the horse (rumours? at Cheltenham?) but these have been flatly denied by connections. In fact, Mick Fitzgerald said on Five Live last night that David Casey had sent him a text saying "Breaking news, Cousin Vinny eats his lunch" to counter suggestions that the horse hadn't eaten up since travelling.
1000: Sky Bet's movers so far today are Red Moloney (14 to 12), Osana (12 to 10) and the Pricewise tip in the Champion Hurdle - Celestial Halo (8 from 10). Aren't the Pricewise horses a bit boring today? Hills report laying a £70,000 bet on Binocular at 7-4 already this morning. Sky Bet's most unexpected market move has been £300 each-way on Othermix at 50-1 in the betting without the favourite in the same race.
0955: So I could go and walk the course now. But it's quite a long way and I wouldn't be back for an hour. And the heel's coming off from one of my shoes. So I won't. But if I hear anyone else talking who has walked it, I'll tell you what I think I heard them say. Now that's quality reporting.
0950: One of the nicest things about Cheltenham is being able to watch the horses unloading from their boxes on the walk up the driveway to the main entrance. There were plenty milling around this morning (presumably early arrivals for races later in the week), along with a handful of jockeys including Ruby Walsh, as they got ready to stretch their legs around the track. Now wouldn't it be nice if Cheltenham was to provide each one with a saddlecloth with their name on it, as a permanent memento of the fact that they ran at the 2009 Festival (as they do at the Breeders' Cup). Yes there are many more horses and there is an expense element, but wouldn't it be great to let racegoers see some of their favourite horses - and know who they are - before the gates even open. Just a thought, Edward.
0935: For some reason, I have been given the most comfortable seat in the press room today. Everyone else gets school assembly chairs, but I have got something that looks a bit like a colourful, quilted deckchair. It's great. The atmosphere in the press room is a bit like being at a wedding where everybody is wandering around looking for somewhere to sit, hoping that they're not sat next to the person they had an argument with last year.
0925: The first car I saw in the car park this morning was a shiny range rover with the registration plate 'MUR8HY'. I'm never quite sure how I feel about personalised plates. His car (and I'm rather sexistly presuming it's a man) looked great, with its smart little silver horsey bits on the doors and the plate topped it off nicely. But when I see something like '1 BET' as I saw in the car park at Doncaster last year, I think it looks a bit tacky. Maybe I'll buy 'BLO6' when I go through the card today. That wouldn't be tacky, obviously. That would be classy.
0918: My generous benefactors at Sky Bet have offered me (or at least I think they offered me, I can't remember if they ever actually quite said yes...but we'll crossthat bridge when we come to it) a £50 FREE BET to the sender of my favourite email each day. So get on with it and email me with a tip or two, or an interesting view that you want to pass on. The email link is just up there ^^^.
0915: Continuing the early innuendo theme, I have placed two pears behind my laptop for a mid-morning snack, confident in the knowledge that someone at some stage in the next few hours will say 'nice pear' as they walk past. I'll keep you posted.
0910: This is my 10th Cheltenham Festival in a working capacity, but I still spent the night tossing and turning - and I'm not talking about Basic Instinct on ITV 2 (boom, boom). I vow each year to try and be more professional about my punting, but just like every other year as I was lying in bed last night, I kept remembering bets that I have placed over the last 12 weeks that I had forgotten about.
0900: Yes, it's here. T-0 and we are off and running for the 2009 Cheltenham Festival. The forecast monsoons have not arrived (it's good to know that no matter how bad your punting goes this week, you're better at predictions than John "20mm" Kettley) and after just a couple of mm of rain overnight, the ground has eased only slightly to 'Good to Soft, Soft in places' on all courses. We had another sprinkling a few minutes ago, but overall it looks being a nice enough day. Whatever the weather does nothing can deter me, because it's the Cheltenham Festival and there's four days of fantastic racing and pure punting heaven (or hell) to look forward to.
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