I like 3 day festivals. You only have to set up and break down once which is particularly welcome when navigating the subterranean passages of Chester where, for such a compact track, it still always comes as a surprise that you're parked in a different postcode, possibly time zone, from where you bet (Dee Stand for us).
It's also a relief that it's only Friday when you're in danger of taking out the patrons' shins when wheeling the joint back to the car after racing.
We're off for an Italian, time is short (and life is cruel) so, without further ado we spiral through another day (2 lyrics in the same sentence- my talent is clearly wasted...)
1) An early big each way bet on Militia framed our book but the rest of the betting heat was pretty quiet, as it so often is down by the ice cream van in the Dee Stand. There was, just, enough activity to suggest that we may have been able to increase our liabilities to a more realistic level even though that didn't fully transpire initially. Militia was a decent loser for us in the win book along with the fav Look Out Louis and we also stood the former in the place market which meant the loss on the winning jolly was offset by the win in the each ways. 0-0 draw to start with.
2) Another moderate take in the 2nd but we barely had to touch the book. My Little Tip the biggest loser along with small losers in Outgate and Koy Koy who vied for favouritism throughout and the outsider Outside World rounded out the reds in the book. Fate known early as 3 losers filled the first 3 places in the race and the places couldn't save us this time. Behind. Slightly.
3) 2 losers, the jolly (Star of India) and Harrow which we assumed was the smart money and that we were about to be schooled. Star of India always in control and we hoped for a late run from Cresta but in never materialised and the champagne remained on ice. I thank you... Whilst the puns flowed between the CairnBet and Swanbet pitches the results stalled and we were behind despite getting a little back in the forecast market.
4) Eyes down again for the first CairnBet bingo card of the day. 9 runners, 4 losers (Believe In Love, John Leeper, East Asia and Adrian which we also stood in the place market) all for today's maximum liability (which was a lot higher than yesterday's but still nowhere near where we would like) and we were rewarded when 2nd fav Hamish won nicely for us and we topped up with a cracking place win which got us ahead on the day. The forecast was also not laid and we were near getting the expenses for the week.
5) We had a lovely American chap betting with us all day. Obviously he bet Pride of America for a decent chunk along with his mate who was also American and also similarly inclined. It was a similar story throughout the betting on and off course and it would have won if it had to go round again. No chance and we were almost back to square 1.
6) Bingo. And very, very messy bingo. 8 runners, 5 losers and a shocking book value wise as the big liability (Mr Postman) shortened and shortened and shortened. We stood it for the max but the damage had been done and we had to suck it up. Explicit and Majil were also max losses and it was almost a relief when the half liability (Democracy Dilemma) won cosily and the decision to stand Mr Postman and Explicit for the max in the place market meant that the win loss was partially mitigated by winning in the places. Still a loser but we felt we'd half got away with it. We were still just a hair in front but it was a Kevvo top of the head hair not a Pinno fulsome moustache hair.
7) Another unhedged book left us with 3/4 liability losers in 2nd and 3rd favs Trojan Horse and Hoffman with a minimal loss on Wind Your Neck In. Trojan led and appeared to be going better than the rest but had no hidden reserves inside it (you are, again, welcome) and the jolly, Temple of Artemis fought it out with our jackpot Mr Alan which looked like it was coming to win but refused to go past. We had a reasonable win on Artemis (will wonders never cease?) topped up with yet another nice place win and the forecast was also unlaid and a surprisingly good result given the price of the winner meant we came out unscathed on the day with a positive result which wasn't spectacular by any means but kept us on the right side of the ledger. And allowed us free licence with the puns.
Overall we made what we made on the place markets and in the forecasts where the obvious ones never hit. Better to be lucky than good.
Off to bed. You have 2 lyrics (Stone Roses and The Jam) and many, many appalling puns to find before you can similarly turn in.
Until tomorrow...
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