Cheltenham Gold Cup 13/3/26 - Tunnel Vision

Final fling day. We had the week's expenses by Wednesday night but were disappointed on Thursday as the wind and rain significantly dampened turnover and meant a vice like grip was required on each and every bank note to avoid recreating The Crystal Dome from The Crystal Maze. We needed a big finish.

This year the access tunnel from the Guinness Village to the betting ring/trackside viewing area, which emerged through the centre of the Guinness Village stand, was closed to allow for a stage inside the Village itself. We understood the reasoning of the racecourse but, in practice, this led to difficulties accessing the ring and trackside viewing area as the two main entrances were reduced to one, plus a small entry at the bottom end of the stand; this has impacted the turnover in the ring and the physical number of punters standing at the rail watching the live racing. Turnover for us down around 30% in terms of bet numbers, despite increased attendances. We understand that it was probably difficult for the racecourse to realise the impact before the event and we're hopeful that they will consider reinstating the tunnel next year to help crowd flow and alleviate congestion in this area.

Having said that, we could only deal with what was in front of us and make the best of the situation. Friday is the bumper turnover day and, surely, business would be brisk today.

1) Mild panic set in as business was not, in fact, brisk. It wasn't even pedestrian. I'd say "glacial" - pre global warming. Mild panic gave way to nausea as turnover for race one was, simply, terrible compared to last year. 68 bets in total. SIXTY EIGHT? For comparison purposes, last year was 132. The people were there but they could not easily access the betting ring and the majority of us were suffering. Got a result though with Apolon De Charnie after standing 4 of the top 6 for the max and having the other two as takers. Delight at the result quickly gave way to "if only we'd taken more" when the bet numbers were counted.

2) Fortunately business picked up markedly, not to 2025 levels, but not down by half either. We got full reward again as we stood the top 3 plus the next two in the market were "straight across" and Wilful who was 6th in the betting on the list of 24 runners was the best result in the book with the exception of the million to one shots. Dodged all but one of the bad places to give us a lovely each way top up as well.

3) Each way not a pleasure here. 8 runners with a relatively short price at the head of the market a good place market doth not make. Luck on our side again as Dinoblue was less popular in the ring than expected and the majority of what we did take were in doubles (with the race 4 jolly) and trebles (with any one of 3 in The Gold Cup). Panic Attack (see race 1) and Spindleberry the worst results in the book and, whilst Dino roaring home (you're welcome) wasn't a monster (you're welcome again) result it was still a very pleasant move forward and we again, had a multitude of bad place results (5 out of 8) and we dodged 4 of them to make a hugely unexpected place profit in a terrible each way race from our perspective.

4) In a reversal of the previous race, places were an absolute pleasure and the result, whilst the winner, Johnny's Jury, being at the lower end of that area in the book, was still very welcome. Places were exceptional. Second time this week we were done (a little bit) by Johnnies...

5) I'd imagine if I'd blogged every Gold Cup we've ever done the majority would say "all that work and the jolly (or similar) wins" and here we are again. Jukebox and Haiti were the bad ones but only a teeny move forward on Gaelic Warrior, however our friend "The Places" gave is another Super Boost (non B365 version).

6) Couldn't lay Barton Snow. Just couldn't. Smashed up off course but largely ignored in the ring. Best result of the day in the most unlikely bookmaker friendly looking result imaginable. Places you say? Yep - we were riding the each way rollercoaster all the way to the top.

7) Another Cheltenham truism. We never win on the last and we never looked like we would here either. We didn't. Sigh... We often hear "that's a result for you at 10/1". Not if it's 5s the field and the winner is 4th in the list.

And so the depressing car boot jenga took place in Red Car Park as we said goodbye to Kevin, who had put in quite the shift all week, for which we thank him enormously, and attempted to get the full equipment, luggage, food and humans in the car for the first time since we set off last Sunday. Predictably difficult and we didn't dare open the boot until arriving at Newcastle the next day. Finally, talking of Newcastle, we tacked it on the end as usual but business was pretty moderate so a separate blog of tiddly bets isn't likely to get the blood pumping. Suffice to say that we had a better day than we should've. The main casualty being the errant bottle of Prosecco left in the food bag by mistake and inadvertently transported to the betting ring. I say "transported" when really I mean "smashed in the old silver ring 20 yards from the car as the trolley bounced off a speed bump". Thanks to the lovely lady who swooped in from nowhere to make good. Matthew ended his week, I think, realising, possibly for the first time in his life, that his old man wasn't quite the decrepit dinosaur previously thought, usually when seen attempting any sort of tech. To say he performed over and above expectation is an understatement and he should be very proud of his efforts. He still doesn't make his bed and open his curtains though...

Odds on to be at Musselburgh on Friday unless the forecast deteriorates dramatically, though the 6 race card is a small negative.

Until then...