Quote: Frankie Rage @ March 7, 2008, 10:28 PMFor me a 'safe bet' is approaching the rear of a drunken horse.
Shouldn't it be manacled and nailed to the ground too?
Who bets on horses? £20 free Cheltenham bet... Page 4
Only if it wants to be.
Badge's bookie-bashing bonanza for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival (tomorrow - Tuesday) is:
Harchibald in the Champion Hurdle (3.15). At about 7/1 it's a great each-way price. The horse has been called lots of nasty things in the past, mainly for looking like it will win easily only to find nothing when the chips are down. But it's been in good form this year and had an excellent winning spin on the flat recently. Admittedly he lost his last hurdle race but that was only because champion jockey AP McCoy out-thought Paul Carberry on Harchibald. With that experience behind him and in a truly-run race I think Carberry can produce Harchibald at the latest possible minute to ease ahead up the hill.
But don't come moaning to me if it all goes horribly wrong.
Another punting for profit selection tomorrow night (or, just as likely, I'm in hiding)
Quote: Badge @ March 10, 2008, 10:36 PMBadge's bookie-bashing bonanza for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival (tomorrow - Tuesday) is:
Harchibald in the Champion Hurdle (3.15). At about 7/1 it's a great each-way price. The horse has been called lots of nasty things in the past, mainly for looking like it will win easily only to find nothing when the chips are down. But it's been in good form this year and had an excellent winning spin on the flat recently. Admittedly he lost his last hurdle race but that was only because champion jockey AP McCoy out-thought Paul Carberry on Harchibald. With that experience behind him and in a truly-run race I think Carberry can produce Harchibald at the latest possible minute to ease ahead up the hill.
But don't come moaning to me if it all goes horribly wrong.
Another punting for profit selection tomorrow night (or, just as likely, I'm in hiding)
So, if he comes second its a quarter of the odds then if you back Harchibald each way? 2-1 approx.
Check terms with your bookie - most go 1/4 the odds for a place in the Champion Hurdle (1st, 2nd or 3rd) but some go 1/5.
Quote: Badge @ March 10, 2008, 10:36 PMBadge's bookie-bashing bonanza for the first day of the Cheltenham Festival (tomorrow - Tuesday) is: Harchibald in the Champion Hurdle
We'll pretend we didn't see that one... 
what's todays tip Badge? Give us a better one!
At least I wasn't alone in getting it wrong - someone placed £60,000 each way on the course. It finished 10th, by the way. Much nearer last than first, and more to the point it never looked like getting in contention.
But it's a marathon, not a sprint, and in Wednesday's biggest race (3.15) I'm on Tamarinbleu to win. The David Pipe stable had a good first day with a winner and the Champion Hurdle runner-up, and this one has looked much better class since being fitted with blinkers. It's close to being favourite at around 7/2 or 4/1.
It would be easier to PM Mark, but...
in the circumstances of today's (Wednesday) card being shoved into Thursday and Friday, my Wednesday bet stands tomorrow and I'm adding Inglis Drever on the nose in the World Hurdle (3.30). Short price, but that reflects its chance.
Cheers, I'm keeping an eye on these 
As I think I said before, I'm going to be at Chelthenham on Friday... it's going to be one very long day now there's the extra races. Still, good for the crowds and according to predictions it's going to set the record for the most money ever bet in one day
Quote: Badge @ March 12, 2008, 11:45 PMin the circumstances of today's (Wednesday) card being shoved into Thursday and Friday, my Wednesday bet stands tomorrow and I'm adding Inglis Drever on the nose in the World Hurdle (3.30). Short price, but that reflects its chance.
Shame about your Champion Chase horse, but well done on Inglis Drever.
Well people - it's the gold cup tomorrow... the most anticipated head-to-head for years: Denman .v. Kauto Star. Forecasts are suggesting as much as £300m will be bet on Cheltenham's card tomorrow, easily beating the Grand National. The big race is 3:30pm on Channel 4. Worth watching!
(I've got my fingers crossed for Exotic Dancer to come third or better!)
okay, despite saying I would just watch and enjoy... PILE ONTO KAUTO STAR!!!!
Quote: Badge @ March 7, 2008, 12:21 AMI'm not betting on the race cos it's just one to savour for me, but if forced my money would go on Kauto as reigning champ - but I wouldn't be surprised if Denman won, especially if it rains a lot. I'd be *amazed* if Exotic Dancer won, and moderately surprised if it was even placed. But racing's like comedy - all about opinions.
I wish I'd stopped there.