SIMON NOTT BETTING BLOG: Cheltenham Friday

The wind and rain was fairly howling around Nott Towers in the Shire last night, but the drive up to Cheltenham was relatively placid weather-wise, the calm between two storms, let’s hope not, writes SIMON NOTT.

We’d been away from Cheltenham for seven months, so not getting drenched on a most welcome return to Prestbury Park would be handy.

Star Sports boasted three pitches, Dan and Armaloft bet single handed next to each other on the second row in Tatts both minus a mush, while Lofty and Russ manned the rails pitch. Weather threats aside we looked set for an excellent afternoon of sport on the turf.

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1:15 – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3YO plus)

Betting started fairly slowly, the three pitches were linked, bets trickled in rather than flooded.

There was some excitement when a punter who’d apparently been spot on with his rather lumpy bets recently was seen stalking the rail. I was urged to see what he bet when he did go in, a large wad of notes was eventually thrust into the hands of a bookie who was offering 7/2 Crooked Path, surprisingly a massive move didn’t follow, there was plenty of 4/1 at the off when the book held just £1307, Crooked Path was the bogie for £1123 with East India Express the other loser for £408.

Jumping the second last, the bogie was in front but swamped after the last, overtaken by East India Express and Frontier Prince; they flashed past together separated by a short-head with Frontier Prince getting the nod, winning £1123 in the book, a good start though the total field money over three pitches was poor.

Still, a winning start is always a good start.

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1:50 – Catesby Estates ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Next up and things livened up significantly, bets struck included a monkey at 11/4 Jarrive De Mee, a monkey on Ice Jet at 11/2, both of which paled when Lofty and Russ laid £5000 Bowensonfire at 5/4. A neighbouring bookie warned that the punter was ‘connected to the yard’ Lofty wasn’t too worried given the other bets had come from judges, it looked a hot heat.

So it proved, Passing Diamond ran a very big race and for a while appeared like he might hold the occasionally reluctant looking Bowensonfire, but ultimately capitulated to the jolly. The book lost £5079, the stable knew.

There was a very vocal contingent in Tatts who virtually ran alongside the winner in the closing stages cheering him all the way, satisfied customers of the racecourse bookies no doubt, the SP of the winner was evens so hopefully didn’t back it in the betting shop.

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2:25 – Foundation Developments Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3YO plus)

Between racing, I had a read of Icy’s Substack email, quite a funny observational piece on the return of Cheltenham. I had to make sure I didn’t fall into any of the categories highlighted; I don’t think I did but you never know.

Meanwhile, the teams were getting stuck in, or rather the punters were getting stuck into the teams. A customer had £10,000 – £400 on King Ulanda at the back of the rails joint while another had £5000 – £200 on the front, simultaneously and at the same time. Over in Tatts Armaloft laid £10,000 – £500 each-way Loriko, Wondering Why attracted a bet of £8000 – £2000 and Mojito Des Mottes £5000 – £200. A lively betting heat I’m sure you’ll agree.

It looked a good race on paper and so it proved, not only for our viewing pleasure but the book too, 6/1 Continuance won quite impressively for Martin Keighley under Harry Atkins, something no punter successfully predicted to any significant amount. The book copped £4200, very handy indeed but well earned given some of the liabilities that were glowing red.

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3:00 – Oddschecker Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered As The Sharp Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus)

Next up and an interesting betting heat where a punter steamed in early betting an even £3000 Cooltobecareless while another bet £2500 – £500 Planters Punch. The feature of the betting was the huge drift which followed on the jolly, out to 15/8 in the ring at the off.

Those were the two decent bets with Star Sports but eagle-eyed Lofty spotted bagman money for Kingofthefrontier at big prices so had a Lofty lean up for the firm, he played a blinder, Kingofthefrontier and Lofty too, the former won the race beating the two bogies into second and third, the jolly returned 13/8 back in third.

The winner returned 20/1 and copped £5249 in the book, Lofty was beaming from ear to ear, yes he was happy to win for the firm but following the bagman in at 33/1 might have extended that smile just a little more. Some of these bagmen get some cards and are certainly worth keeping an eye on.

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3:35 – squareintheair.com Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Next up, the race before the penultimate. Before we get on to that, news was filtering through that the previous winner had clobbered several firms and further enriched a few shrewdies. Stephen Darbyshire was on, 33/1 with the fractions while John from the Hamilton firm betting next door reported laying a £10,000 – £200 each-way, nasty, somebody’s had it spark off. Like I said, keep an eye on bag men and subsequent market moves, SD and Lofty do.

Punters were keen to get on in this race too, £2750 – £1000 Calico and £6000 – £1000 Sky Lord were the two bets of note with Star Sports. Both of those bets stayed in the hod along with an extra £235 when JPR One defied top weight and Calico in the process to win.

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4:10 – McCoy Contractors Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4YO plus)

Back down in the ring Lofty’s smile had vanished; why I hear you cry, a 33/1 winner is enough to keep the grumpiest individual smiling for at least a couple of hours. He’d backed the wrong horse. I’ll say no more, his pain was tangible.

Meanwhile, pro-punter Andy Gibson came down to say hello and posed with a photo with Stephen SD Darbyshire, who’d not backed the wrong horse, great to see them both.

Then I got interviewed by Hannah and Rio, not at the same time, Hannah also had a chat with Bryan Gault of Gault Stats, a lovely and well-respected regular in the Irish betting ring who raises money every year with his stats, Google them.

Meanwhile, serious betting was taking place on the penultimate, £10,000 – £5000 Kingstonian £1950 – £1200 Mr Hollywood and £8000 – £500 each-way Otie’s Friend the highlights with Star Sports who were £8500 up on the day going into the race. The book had some potentially day-ruining liabilities but got away with it when 11/1 chance Cosmos D’ainay did the business for Gordon Elliott, and I’m guessing most of the bookies, the book copped £7500.

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4:45 – Chapel Down Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4YO plus)

The concluding race was surprisingly quiet, there were no bets of any note in a book that totalled £2423 at the off. It’s a shame that the bigger punters didn’t get stuck in because 10/1 Brandt was too good for 7/2 Better Off Alone and 3/1f Little Ledgend both losers back in second and third. Still, let’s not be churlish the book copped £995, adding to what had been a very good and thankfully dry winning day for Star Sports.

We’re back tomorrow and thanks for reading.

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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Simon Nott is author of: Skint Mob! Tales from the Betting Ring
available on Kindle CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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