There were a couple of touches landed in the first two races at Taunton, though the betting ring came through virtually unscathed. Khafre landed an overnight, morning an live betting gamble 9/4 into 11/8 in the opening Weatherby's Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Novices' Hurdle for the Syd Hosie yard winning nicely under Paddy Hanlon with the jolly 5/4 Calvino back in third. Down in the ring, bets of £1000 and £800 were reported bet on the jolly at 5/4, there had been money for the gambled on winner, but it was only small, the bulk of the betting appeared to have been done off course. Pictured are DragonBet who bet on and off course, if you don't have an account with them here's a LINK
Next up and the St Austell Brewery Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle where Robert Walford's Gorcombe And Wise landed what looked like a tickle under Harry Kimber winning at 11/2 having shown a bit of promise at Wincanton last time out when finishing mid division. Fergal O'Brien's 5/6 favourite Cooler Than Me had been popular in the ring attracting bets of an even grand and monkey so the bookmakers appeared to be once again mostly unscathed. Next up The Richard Williams Memorial Handicap Chase and misery for favourite-backers when Fat Faced Columbo supported from evens into 4/6 including bets of an even £1000 and £800 - £1000 was no match for Ben Pauling's Wheresmemoneygone 9/2 winner which won nicely.
Snapdance was sent off the well-supported 2/1 into 6/4, though not to big money, favourite for the Weatherbyshop.co.uk Handicap Hurdle though was no match for my old pal Nigel Hawke's 4/1 winner Inferno Sacree. I had the pleasure of having lunch with the horse's owner Russel Lane and his guests who were excellent fun, there was a doubt about trying the near three mile trip for the first time, but no doubt after, he finished full of running going away under Murray Dodd claiming 7lb. There were no reports of any big bets for anything down in the ring. For more info on Nigel Hawke CLICK HERE
There was yet another gamble landed when Ede'iffs Rock won the Boyle Sports sponsored penultimate handicap chase. The winner was backed from 4/1 into 15/8 favourite with the bookies, there was no big money reported but one bookmaker showed me his bets to pay, there were several three figure bets at the top price laid, so this time some layers did take a hit.
The biggest business of the day came in the lucky last the Free Raceday Monday 9th March Open National Hunt Flat Race when Ben Pauling's Rices Pool attracted bets of £4000 - £2000 and £1500 - £1000 twice. That support was justified when jockey Ben Jones sent the gelding on as they turned for home, the rest of the field didn't see where he went, Harry Fry's Par Avion made an attempt catch the runaway winner but there was no catching him. Rices Pool returned 6/4 landing a double for the Pauling yard and would have knocked a dent in several bookie's days. It's on to the Tiverton Golf Club Cheltenham preview night for Nigel Hawke and I tonight and Newbury with Star Sports with yours truly tomorrow. If you've had a bad day today, you can get free bookies money by a opening a first time account with with Bet Goodwin who have a Bet 15 Get 10 Offer
Simon Nott
My latest Andrew's Cheltenham Angles where Andrew Mount covers the stats that matter for Thursday is live now and can be viewed HERE