2013 Cheltenham Festival Day 1 - the big thread

[singgooner]

OK,

The Muslims have Mecca - we have Cheltenham - 4 days to lose your wife, kids, girlfriend, dog - whatever - time to be at one with yourself and with Cheltenham and bet your bollocks off like a man.

Started a thread - so you can keep all your thoughts on 1 page.

Today - all times Eastern Standard Time

9.30am William Hill Supreme Novices´ Hurdle 4yo&Up £68,340 2miles 110yards Grade 1
10.05 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 5yo&Up £85,425 2miles Grade 1
10.40 JLT Specialty Handicap Chase 5yo&Up £51,255 3m110y Grade 3
11.20 The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 4yo&Up £227,800 2miles 110yards Grade 1
(Whoever wins is the best hurdler in Europe)


12.00 Glenfarclas Handicap Cross Country Chase Chase 5yo&Up £31,280 3m7f
(this is like The Maryland Hunt Cup - but better - going around the inner field over various fences)


12.40 OLBG David Nicholson Mares´ Hurdle 4yo&Up £47,830 2m4f Grade 2
13.15 Rewards4Racing Novices´ Handicap Chase 5yo&Up £34,170 2m4f110y Listed


Good luck and be lucky for the greatest show on turf for the next 4 days !

[singgooner]

Here's a very good website - Timeform's Free Website - all the races with pedigrees and short comments/analysis on all the horses.

Enjoy

http://form.timeform.betfair.com/course?courseId=1.10

[rodneytrotter]

Start will be delayed by 35mins - the cross country chase will be run last, provided it isn't too dark.

[singgooner]

Rodney is right - due to cold weather and frost in the ground - racing has been delayed by 35 mins

New running order - Eastern Times only

10.05 William Hill Supreme Novices´ Hurdle 4yo&Up £68,340 2miles 110yards Grade 1
10.40 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 5yo&Up £85,425 2miles Grade 1
11.20 JLT Specialty Handicap Chase 5yo&Up £51,255 3m110y Grade 3
12.00 The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 4yo&Up £227,800(US$342,000 to the winner) 2miles 110yards Grade 1
12.40 OLBG David Nicholson Mares´ Hurdle 4yo&Up £47,830 2m4f Grade 2
13.15 Rewards4Racing Novices´ Handicap Chase 5yo&Up £34,170 2m4f110y Listed
13.45 Glenfarclas Handicap Cross Country Chase Chase 5yo&Up £31,280 3m7f

The legendary Timeform Racecard - will full essay analysis can be viewed via this web-link - saves yourself 6 quid or US$10.

http://www.timeform.com/images/freecards/CRM/specialoffer.pdf

Enjoy the next 4 days - it's time to bet your bollocks off like REAL MEN !

[Kev the Brit]

I've lost count of the number times I have seen a horse cruising towards the Cheltenham hill and failing to accelerate past the leader. Horses don't accelerate up it; they simply stay on better than the others; just like Champagne Fever has just done to My Tent Or Yours.

[singgooner]

If you missed the big races - here they are on Youtube

William Hill Supreme Novices´ Hurdle 4yo&Up £68,340 2miles 110yards Grade 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6jX_EL0drI

Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase 5yo&Up £85,425 2miles Grade 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyNal8sjWqY

JLT Specialty Handicap Chase 5yo&Up £51,255 3m110y Grade 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EL7-Dx3pMw

The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy 4yo&Up £227,800 2miles 110yards Grade 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1QTFZrlBQY