[Archived] the festival

[waggy]

bloody link has frozen

2nd in the opener

1st in the 2nd

[waggy]

bloody link has frozen

2nd in the opener

1st in the 2nd

2nd in the 3rd

[waggy]

backed peddlars cross ante post,but i have a feeling for menorah today

[Tom]

I agree entirely

[adopted scouser]

I'm guessing Cheltenham

[Mattyblue]

Oh yes! I am going on Friday for Gold Cup day, absolutely superb occasion.

[waggy]

Oh yes! I am going on Friday for Gold Cup day, absolutely superb occasion.

used to be a regular at cheltenham,but making it 4 days has ruined it,poor racing on day 2

[Mattyblue]

I wouldn't say ruined it wag! Still the greatest show on turf!

Put your condo on Time For Rupert

[Hasta]

used to be a regular at cheltenham,but making it 4 days has ruined it,poor racing on day 2

This is a debate I have had a few times. The only I have about it is I now get to go down on the Thursday and Friday rather than just the Thursday.

However making it 4 days and adding new races has diluted the quality of the top races and inserted plenty of standard races that are nothing special.

I think day 1 has suffered most to be honest. Today there is only 1 new race that never previously existed.

One example is Quevega. An awesome third consecutive win yesterday in a race where no other mares are in her class. She wouldn't be out of place in a Champion Hurdle field or, in previous years, one of the big handicaps. Instead she beats up an inferior bunch at even money each year.

Also the Gold Cup suffers by the introduction of the Ryanair chase on the Thursday. Horses such as Albertas Run and, until his withdrawl, Riverside Theater would add much more quality and depth to the GC in previous years. Not any more. In the last few years the gold cup has been 3 or 4 top chasers and then decent staying handicappers making up the numbers (not so much this year though).

Oscars Well and Time for Rupert today for me by the way.

[waggy]

not a winner yesterday big bucks and junior to get me out of a hole

[Mattyblue]

Poquelin for me today, course specialist.

[Ricky]

I've had 2 shocking days but hoping to turn it around today.

Gone for Wishfull thinking, Don't push it (e/w), Alberta's Run, Bick Bucks and Junior.

[waggy]

I've had 2 shocking days but hoping to turn it around today.

Gone for Wishfull thinking, Don't push it (e/w), Alberta's Run, Bick Bucks and Junior.

kiss of death ricky

[waggy]

not a winner yesterday big bucks and junior to get me out of a hole

nice little double,might go and find a young chick to celebrate