More failure (what else can you call it?) for me at Cheltenham yesterday. There were some marginal improvements when compared to day 1 but then Tuesday was such an unmitigated disaster that yesterday’s turd was less polished and more rolled in glitter. Sure Champ went close in the first, Fanfan Du Seuil raced info fifth place in the 16:50 and Altior won the Queen Mother Chase but none of this was enough to snaffle me any returns.
Lizzie Kelly, jockey, broadcaster and bloody good egg.
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Questions then, might be asked of the organisation of these selections. The constant focus on doubles, trebles and the like is almost certainly not a tactic to aid short term gain but might work over the long run, that one BIG day making up for several losers. Still, as I have written many times before, this thread is about discipline over and above any other potential financial boon. All through the Trixie Challenge, the Bank Builder and this Cheltenham Festival the urge to ‘invest’ more funds after my initial bets have lost has been resisted. The thought that if horses A, B and C have all lost, that horse D is a surefire winner has been present in my mind many times but never acted upon. I don’t have the numbers handy but this has definitely left me better off financially and is great training for future endeavours.
Today I have slightly altered my approach compared to the first half of the festival. A trio of horses across three races, each with what looks to be a good shout of landing in the money. In particular I fancy Siruh Du Lac, ridden by the brilliant Lizzie Kelly. Is she a brilliant jockey? Of this fact I am not certain, but she has been a massive bresh of fresh air on the BBC radio coverage. Her enthusiastic mix of knowledge and humour, all delivered with a self-deprecating laugh never far away, is in stark contrast to John Inverdale’s smug sense of over-inflated self importance.
On the BBC’s preview program Kelly stayed that she couldn’t see anyone beating her ride in the 16:10, let’s hope her word is as good as everything else she does.
Another trixie, one day one of these babies is gonna roll in, this would be a good day for that to happen.
The fabulously awesome Lizzie Kelly gets my nod on board Siruh Du Lac.
Starting Balance: £19.48
Opening Balance: £13.48
Yesterday’s Returns: £0
Today’s Stake: £6
Gold Cup Friday Pot: £1.48
Closing Balance: £0