diamond_for_life

Started my summery and write up last night but didn’t get it finished. Every morning I’ve woken up the day has started brutal with non runners. Henderson scunnered me most with Sir Gino and yesterday morning I felt like just chucking the towel in and abandoning the racing. I felt a good 6 months solid graft just went out the window. The day started brightly though with Grey Dawning winning and grinding out a good win. A decent enough start and at 5/1 the day was pretty much covered Had nothing come close in the second race but wasn’t too worried as I’ve had a dreadful record in the Pertemps and that continued in style. The Ryanair chase next and at 33/1 antepost Protektorat is my biggest price win by a mile this festival and did soften the blow of Sir Gino quite considerably Was no luck in the stayers but not often would I be on a short priced fav and antepost I never once considered backing Teahupoo. Paisley Park is still a hero and wish it a happy retirement. After Saint Felicien was brought down all focus was on Shakem Up’arry who I mentioned was my big play and main hope for today. Ran a blinder and jumped the last like it was going to be a case of how far. After some paddling and drifting suddenly horses were closing and I can’t lie I thought it was getting picked off to my dismay. Thankfully Ben Jones straightened it up and it was a fantastic win and leaves me well in profit now regardless of the losses on Sir Gino. Brighterdaysahead was soundly beaten by a much better horse and despite other folks grumblings on jockey performance I say Golden Ace deserves all the credit and ran superbly. Maybe would say different if it wasn’t for the previous races. Had a small play on the last but both horses were never involved and the favourite looked an excellent winner carrying top weight. I said I was strangely confident yesterday and it proved a highly profitable one so it’s onto tomorrow.

Nicky Henderson can f**k off. I have no issue with horses not running and welfare always comes first but the statements all week saying Sir Gino is fine and doing well then this morning he says Sir Gino is in great shape and there’s no issues with the scope or tests done but he is being pulled out due to the worrying form of his other horses. Piss off Nicky. Tell the truth and admit Sir Gino is not fit or run it. Either or is fine but to say he is in top shape but I’m pulling him anyway. Im scunnered with that.

Day 3 was my quietest days betting the last few years and last year I went into it expecting the same. That was before Stage Star, The Real Whacker and Sire Du Burlais (80/1) completed what was a dream Cheltenham for me. This Thursday I’m actually more involved than I was in previous years and I’m cautiously optimistic this could be my best day of the 4 (famous last words). Been on Facile Vega all year and loved this horse since its bumper win here 2 years ago. Couldn’t go without backing it again here. Grey Dawning the other bet as Skelton couldn’t be any more bullish over this horse and with a pull in the weights I expect it to reverse the form with Ginny’s Destiny. The Pertemps is a race I’ve done horribly in over the years including last year but I’m strangely happy with my selections for this year. Gaoth Chuil and Cuthbert Dibble both confident picks. Chantry House is my e/w selection. The Ryanair would have been Banbridge for me on a sound surface but staying well clear (dejavu as I did the same with it last year). Antepost I have Protektorat and Ahoy Senor at huge prices e/w. Will also be on either Fugutif or Fill Dor using my free bet. I’d make Stage Star the favourite personally and if I could have got the early prices others did I would have been on them. No 80/1 shot in the stayers this year and no loyalty to the defending champ either. Noble Yeats my antepost play and topped up at various prices. Wouldn’t be a Cheltenham without me backing the hero that is Paisley Park. Absolutley deserves to go out in front and would be the people’s choice for sure. The only other one I looked at was Sir Gerhard but just not sure if it stays. Had 4 antepost in the plate and 2 haven’t made it. Of the 2 that remain biggest hope lies with Shakem Up’Arry and also have Riaan e/w. I will likely put a bet on Mars Harper to place who is another horse I backed last year a lot and feel loyalty to. The mares novice antepost bet was Brighterdaysahead but nothing major at 6s and 4s. Dysart Enos will be my play on the day. Nothing yet for the Kim Muir other than the customary loyalty bet on Cloudy Glen

Was never confident about today and so it proved with my day pretty much starting and ending with Ballyburn. El Fabiolo letting down the treble and despite highlighting Langer Dan as the biggest plot job you’ll see I didn’t back it at all and his win left me pissed off with how the handicap system works. Good on the Skeltons for winning two races though. Never back against Mullins in the bumper (never back against Mullins in general seems a good rule right enough) and the double green did the business. Only a small double with it and one for tomorrow which I will touch on in my right up. Pretty disappointing day and Nicky Henderson is giving me no hope what so ever there is light at the end of the tunnel for Sir Gino

Oh Nicky

Well that’s Nicky Henderson pulling half his horses out with more to come later in the week. I will be staying away from all of his runners. Hope the horses are ok of course but this all seems strange as he says there’s no known issues and the horses schooled fine. If Sir Gino gets pulled on Friday I’m pretty much done regardless what happens. Cross Country now pulled too. Love Cheltenham but it’s getting more difficult each year to get competitive races and the Irish are getting more and more dominant every year. 1,2,3,4 in the supreme, 1,2,3 in the Arkle, first 2 in the champion hurdle, 1,2,3,4 in the mares hurdle, 1,2,3,4 in the Boodles, first 2 in th National hunt. Very very bleak for British racing with Chianti Classico the only winner. Can’t say I’ve much buzz for today actually yet

The best two moments of my betting career was watching Rossa Ryan win me £900 on a 150/1 shot and watching Impaire Et Passe winning me £1500 in the Ballymore last year. Won’t ever top those feelings and day 2 last year at Cheltenham was the best betting day I’ve ever had. After about 50 name changes recently the 1:30 is now called the Gallagher Novice Hurdle and we have a current 2/5 Favourite in Ballyburn. This was always the race I was praying Mullins stuck it in but was never ever confident on that happening. I’m pretty sure some people have this horse at crazy prices antepost but best I have is 5.9 on the exchange. A profit if it wins but not close to last years race. Only other play in the race is Predators Gold. I have won a few recently on Ben Pauling’s horses who are going great guns and I’m sure he was the last British winner of this race. I have an offer race with Virgin and Handstands would be the pick if I take it. The brown Advisory I will have a play on Giovinco at a price with a Treble of Ballyburn, Fact To File and El Fabiolo on already. I have bet Langer Dan in the last 2 Coral Cups and this season it looks to be an absolute plot job to get it here again off the same weight (which the Skeltons have managed). No loyalty this year though and antepost it was all about Sa Majeste. On the day at prices it will be Might I who I took for the Martin Pipe last year (finished 4th) and the ever consistent First Street. Had it not been for the way things are going for Nicky Henderson right now I may have been tempted with Lucky Place. Also on Lambron to place paying 6 places. Don’t think anyone beats El Fabiolo hence it being the last leg of the treble as even antepost it was never a backable price. I took Johnbon with a free bet though just because of the price drift. 7/1 Antepost This time I thought Galvin would get the better of Delta Work but no idea what to expect with conditions and debate on whether the race will go ahead. Will wait till nearer the time and decide what to do but also think a play on Diesel D’Allier to place could be on the cards as I just love this horse over the cross country obstacles. I had a small play on last years Grand Annual winner Masada but I can’t say I fancy a repeat this time round. I think the key to this race comes from Madara who is chasing a hat trick after wins in the Irish Ryanair chase and a good course handicap. Sure to go close again and small stakes at play but Solness finished 3rd in that Leopardstown race and with some pull in the weights that is my main selection. The second from that race Path D’oroux is also with a second look but my other big play is the enigmatic Harper’s Brook. Having snatched defeat from the jaws of victory a few times it won last time out when tentatively allowed to cross the line without pressure thanks to the last fence mistake from the favourite that day. I absolute love this horse though too and would love to see connections get their big day here. In the bumper last year I was happy with my selection until I saw A Dream To Share run and fancied it so strongly from there. It delivered on the day so this year I have tried to hold off as long as possible. I liked Aurora Vega for a long while but she never looked like running here and defeat last time out to Fleur Au Fusil confirmed that. I am now on the later who looks a good e/w value at the least. I like the looks of 2 of Gordon Elliot’s in the Yellow Clay and Romeo Coolio who could see my cash tomorrow and the heart says I have to back the double green of Simon Munir’s but I can’t be on all of them of course. Decisions to be made and will look again before deciding

Apologies in advance as im likely to waffle loads on here over the next few days. It was a fairly decent opening day but nothing spectacular as I will explain to those interested in reading my chat. As with last year my £20 skybet offer went on the winner of the supreme. Slade Steel at 9/2 got me off to a winning start. Nothing back from the Arkle which was also the same as last year. No Ultima win after the joys of Corach Rambler last year but Famous Bridge got me the e/w return at 25s to give me some profit. Trying to take on Constitution Hill last year in the champion hurdle proved a futile excercise but got lucky this year with it missing out. State Man 3/1 Ante Post and Bet365s super boost today at evens gave a nice little return. Lossiemouth was the bet of the day and doubled up in the Boodles with Lark In The Morning. Pretty sure I lost both races last year so this was a lovely double. Think I came so close in the National Hunt last year but this year the less I say about my efforts the better. So it’s a profit from day 1 and I think it has went similar to how day 1 did last year. As I mentioned the antepost non runners (in particular Daddy Long Legs and Willmount) reduce the profit margin but including all antepost cash bets from day 1 I have had a decent day. Problem this year was Skybet adding an expiry date to their Skybet Club free bets and now they have changed it to something completely worse. Now it looks like no offer on races the rest of the week either (for me anyway) and I won’t be sticking around with them beyond the festival other than for offer races. This forced my hand though to use free bets earlier than I’d have liked which also meant using more of my own money antepost than I did last year. Profit is profit though and it’s onto day 2 but it sadly won’t come close to last years feeling watching Impaire Et Passe.

Absolutely respect that from you both and I never want to downplay the tragedy of horses dying. Don’t mind admitting my fav horse was L’Ami Serge and cried over its tragic end. Had the double green in my heart ever since. Unfortunately wont ever stop me betting on them as heartless as that will be to some. Always happy to listen to chat and get perspective from others though who don’t agree with my views.

Lark in the morning was indeed well handicapped. Doubled up with Lossiemouth for a small return but hee haw compared to what the return of the other 2 would have been.

Everyone of them good winners mate all won well.

Well in mate. Lossiemouth was fantastic but NAP of the day as I said

Made that look hard work but topped up with bet 365 as they boosted it to evens. Good day today regardless of what happens now.

4th at 25s Famous Bridge. Will take me e/w money and onto the next. Fantastic looking winner

Gaelic Warrior looked amazing fair play. That’s a great performance

Was getting the winner after the last but would rather have Mystical Power winning it and I can’t help think it would win that over a sounder surface. Will take that though and move on

Apologies if there is a thread already. I am back buzzing again but I’m no where near as hopeful as last year. Few ante post bets look good but lost a few too. With the likes of constitution hill and marine national out to name but two there will be many a betslip in the bin. Will do my usual write up each morning as it is something I always enjoy and stops me checking the market for 15 mins 1:30 Supreme Novice - Thankfully Mullins saw sense and stuck Ballyburn in the Ballymore/Bingham/Gallagher. He still has a mighty strong hand but my antepost hope Daddy Long Legs turned out to be pretty garbage despite that impressive debut and my other antepost hope Willmount is missing Cheltenham due to injury. Couldn’t have been a poorer start and didn’t have much opinion on most of the others other than JDR the British hope and Mystical Power who bolted up in the Moscow Flyer. Last years winner of that race was my hero Imapire Et Passe so it was one last antepost punt and my pick is Mystical Power 5/1. On the day with conditions worsening I will be using my Skybet money back offer on Slade Steel who has won over further and was a good second to Ballyburn last time out. JDR the once antepost fav is drifting to a tempting price too so I could use an offer on him with guaranteed money back if it loses. 2:10 Arkle - The antepost fav and odds on Marine National seemed to be campaigned very tentatively this year. After blowing out at the DRF it is now out with injury and that blew this race wide open. I was hoping Facile Vega ran here till a few similar performances really makes this horse look ordinary. No antepost bet in this race for me as I couldn’t be solid on any of the horses. Gaelic Warrior is talented but enigmatic with the chat it struggles more going left handed (has won previous at Cheltenham though), Il Etait Temps is looking good again this year but previous Cheltenham efforts have to be a worry, Matata and Found A Fifty could take each other on early doors. Quilixios won last time out but beating Mr Policeman is not enough to convince me. By process of elimination I pretty much ended up on JPR One but it’s with no great conviction. Antepost 14/1. 2:50 Ultima - Not going to write loads on the handicaps as I could tip half the field really. For me though Famous Bridge (up in class) is carrying a low weight and won on heavy ground and Victtorino who has plenty form on a softer surface also. Both bets this morning nothing antepost. 3:30 Champion Hurdle - No getting away from the fact losing Constitution Hill from this race is an absolute gutter. Had my hero from last year Impaire Et Pass been running in this I’d have been all over him (had some stake on him early doors) but as it stood it was a main Antepost punt on State Man who at 3/1 is great value now he is the clear favourite. Was that value if Constitution Hill was fit and running? Probably not. Just wanted a play against an odds on shot and got lucky. 4:10 Mares Hurdle - last year I was on Gala Marceau to beat Lossiemouth at the festival and she ran a great race. I was all in on doing the same thing again today but the two runs from the mare this year have been shockers. At 20/1 I have stayed loyal to Gala (heart involved in that bet not the head). There’s no shortage of talent in this race Youwearitwell was great in the mares novice last year, Ashroe Diamond, Marie’s Rock and Love Envoi all smart horses but it’s no shock to anyone I personally think Lossiemouth is the best bet of the day. 4:50 Boodles - A race I have not had much luck with and a lot of guesswork involved for who has the most scope for improvement off their handicap mark. Lark In The Morning I think has been giving a fair chance by the handicapper but 4 of the last 5 winners of this race have come from the Naas race in Feb and that was won on heavy last month by Eagle Fang with Bright Legend a good second. They are my plays in this. 22/1 and 40/1 respectively. 5:30 National Hunt Chase - Not much of an opinion on this again but went for Salvador Ziggy antepost 16/1 and after winning the Devon National by 60 lengths on heavy I have bet Mr Vango this morning. Good luck again to everyone

Is it just my eyesight or does the ball become hard to see when Hearts are attacking down the right side

Just saw update from the club regarding Josh and that is horrible to know he is still in hospital. I absolutely hope he recovers well and wish him the best. I sounded like a twat with my last post not realising the severity of him still being in hospital. Different for him this only happening on Saturday but the absolute speculation and guess work on injuries / returning players is always a concern

I just saw this and was thinking of mentioning it on here. What could go wrong eh. Part of me hopes it goes tits up to their detriment but I don’t want to see folk getting hurt.

I know I’m going to sound like such a pessimist but I really wish I could bottle this feeling as an Airdrie fan right now. Praying we get another season with the team and manager beyond this one. Last night again showed just how far we’ve come as did the previous Tuesday. I really do hope this lasts but I can’t help getting ahead of myself and fear for what’s next after this

Dunfermline should have been 1 up in the first minutes of the game and squandered good opportunities in the first half. I didn’t think we coped particularly well as they created enough chances to score 2/3 in the first 45. With regards to the red card I have absolutely no clue from from the stand how bad the tackle was so happy to listen to what others have said about us getting away with one. Todorov’s goal was well worked with McStravick and Frizzel. From behind the goal I don’t think there’s any way you can blame Mehmet. Not every cross is one for the keeper. Second half I expected an onslaught but similar to Tannadice it just never happened. The defence cantered it and looked to win everything that came their way. There wasn’t a single moment in the second half I worried about the defence not coping. Midfield battled well and Telfer for me again was fantastic. The running he did right up until the end was amazing. My standout yesterday. McGill I have such a soft spot for after last season and want to see him do well. I think he is growing more into this division and the last two Tuesday nights he has scored great goals and worked his socks off for the team. Dunfermline were that poor second half we didn’t even get a chance to see Josh Rae flying out the box at someone. I actually thought after about 10 games this season Josh wasn’t the standard we thought and the penalty save from last year clouded that judgement. More than happy to admit though despite the odd error I wouldn’t change him for anyone else in this league and I feel I have done him a massive disservice. As I say Dunfermline fans have to be disappointed with that second half effort. Missing chances in football happens and first half other than no goals the performance was there. Second half it went to shit for them. Even though we’ve lost to them 3 times I still think Dunfermline are a better side than Ayr and the rest of the teams below them. I just can’t believe how close we are this season after how you dominated the league last year. That credit should be going to McCabe of course

30 seconds in and Jakubiak brings on the PTSD from his last game v us. Should be 1-0

Said it last season that Dunfermline (despite Falkirk’s legion of fans) gave us the big game feel that we were missing for years. Loved the games last year for that (other than the comeback defeat). This team finished what 22 points ahead of us last season and were by far the best team we have faced in that division (again despite what Falkirk fans would lead you to believe). Despite recruitment at the start of the season being less than ideal for both sets of supporters the fact we go into this game level on points is an unbelievable feat. Make no mistake we are still underdogs in this division and the great season so far seems to cloud that fact. Dunfermline should be looking for 3 points and anything less should be seen as disappointment for them. I have no issue with fans feeling that way and as disappointing as it was to have the previous game called off they beat us with a real lack of signings in game one and couldn’t have looked any more comfortable in their win at Broomfield. Said it the other day Jakubiak looked frightening when he came on and pretty much ended Taylor-Sinclair's season. Looking forward to this and hoping we can get a result would bite the hand off you for a draw tbh and if we are close to Dunfermline come seasons end that is huge. Feels dirty having a respect for a team I previously disliked in our last run in this division. Don’t like it but good luck regardless.

Fantastic from the team tonight but I love how much that goal meant to Josh O’Connor. He needed that and hopefully it helps him kick on. Would be easy for him to chuck the towel in being on loan but shows how much they buy in to McCabe’s team. We really do have a great club to be proud of right now