Prior to today’s racing it all felt a little anti-climactic after yesterday’s excitement, truth be told. There were far fewer bets, but I think it’s fair to say that no day at the Cheltenham Festival can ever be described as mundane. The events that unfolded certainly proved this to be the case!
Interesting fact of the day – Lee Westwood won £22k on the Tote jackpot yesterday. Good for him – he must need the money!
Nothing of interest happened in the first with two horses backed each way finishing in the place positions but the odds meaning each produced a tiny loss.
Better in the RSA Novices Chase up next as Northern Monkey continued his fine form with Presenting Percy, backed antepost at 14s winning very nicely. Despite a few losers in the race from elsewhere, a profit was the reward and if you can come away from a race at Cheltenham saying that, then all’s good!
The most profitable race of the day was by far the Coral Cup, an impossible looking handicap hurdle. Not for Racing Service C, it wasn’t! Bleu Berry – a winner at 28/1, William Henry finishing in the place money at 9/1. Wow! Just wow! Northern Monkey’s William Henry chipped in too by placing at 10/1 to bolster the gain, but not by as much as The Organist which, at 25/1, was a good one to place for Racing Service B.
A small profit from the Champion Chase with Altior showing what a splendid beast he is and landing the odds for Jason James.
It was all downhill from there though. No more winners and only a tiny return from the place part of an each way bet in the last. The thrill of the Coral Cup was still causing tingles to run down the spine.
What a day. What a race!
Cheltenham figures:
Jason James: Staked 3pts, -0.9pts.
Northern Monkey: Staked 3.375pts, +3.4pts.
Racing Service A: Staked 2.5pts, -2.5pts.
Racing Service B: Staked 3pts, +4.25pts.
Racing Service C: Staked 6pts, +16.025pts.
Total ROI: 107.59%.
