The Don is the Ghost of Davy Crockett and Bells five grand is in my pocket but how it got there we will remember for a long time because Cheltenham 2014 was an extraordinary one.
I say Davy Crockett because BetFan described us as two sharpshooters well I fired some blanks on day one and I have to agree it was far from AP’s greatest advert for his skills on My Tent or Yours and right after the race we bumped into Bell who I quickly told to Foxtrot Oscar as it wasn’t the time to wind me up especially as he had backed Jezki. Considering there was 55 thousand there my theory of there being about five Andy Bell clones was going through my mind again as he appeared to be everywhere.
On Wednesday we were in a private box when I received a text from Simon Holden inviting myself and Penny to an impromptu tipsters meet up with The Greyhound Master and themselves. After telling him where to stick his meet up and then where to stick his racecard we enjoyed a fabulous second day as did anyone else who bought the special. A postscript to the day is that I understand the greyhound master never turned up to meet them either, starting so see a pattern emerge here gents aren’t we!
The final two days were very strange not just because of big prices but we had Trainers with terrible records winning and horses reversing form, it was a punters bloodbath and the rails bookies were as happy as I’ve seen in a long time. The Gold Cup was nothing short of bizarre as Bobs Worth who looked incredibly well beforehand jinked around like it was drunk like most of the crowd and three horses stayed on in a line up the near side. I was pleased for Jim Culloty though I have a theory that the inside ground was over watered that’s why they stopped and the ones running on this side came flying through.
The decision to water during the Festival led to strange results, formlines overturned and vast profits for the bookies who were in trouble after two days. I expect they enjoy Festivals where that happens more than punters do.
So with the special won and 60 points profit between us despite a hugely tricky Festival, against my better judgement I agreed to meet with Holden and Bell near where they were staying. They assured myself and Penny that this was a new bar/restaurant with a strict dress code then gave us the name. We returned to the hotel after racing and changed as we set out to meet our “friends.”
So we arrive at the bar I will not mention on a street that can’t be named and get out of the taxi. Penny says this can’t be the right place to which I replied “Bollox” it is the right place as Bell popped his head out saying “have you any weapons on you Don as you will need one to get out!”
This was the biggest dive in history with myself and Penny in finest Tweed, Holden and Bell in their tacky suits and what appeared to be the cast of Shameless. There then followed a Karaoke challenge which was surreal and finished in the early hours as Simon Holden butchered a Bruce Springsteen song whilst Andy Bell, the cast of Shameless and I have to admit myself and my wife pelted him with pickled eggs .
We left shortly after saying that may just be the best night out we have ever had but also hoping we never are within a hundred miles of hearing them sing.
So in a year when some sad things happened away from racing and some jockeys received horrific injuries which means we all and I include myself should temper our criticism of them we thank the Gambling Gods for allowing us to be involved in the greatest show on turf.
The Don’s Sunday Special will be tough to beat today…
2.00 Carlisle – Voyage A New York – WIN Bet 11/8 (888sport)
Back next Sunday.
The Gambling Don
http://go.betfan.com/1000/119
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