As a member of OLBG online sports betting community, I was lucky enough to receive a ticket for the first day of the Festival in one of their many ticket giveaways
that they have alongside the numerous free to enter competitions. With the ticket offer came an invitation to join other members and staff in the box for the OLBG Mares Hurdle.
On my journey down to Cheltenham, I knew I was in for a good day when cruising along the outside lane at 80mph (I jest of course!!) I spotted some silly BMW motorist had left his red Christmas fairy lights in place behind his radiator. These had caught the sunlight as the car was setting off from the hard shoulder. Naturally, at this point I slowed down and changed lanes so the two men in suits could have a good look at what a Cheltenham race-goer looks like as they drove past!
I can't say I'm a religious person at all but the view of Cheltenham racecourse in the sun does tend to make you ponder the thought that if He exists then he must love horse racing to have created such a space as this:
I walked into the grounds behind Katy Walsh (feeling a little like Miranda Hart walking behind tiny Kylie) and located box 4052 which was next door to the Gigginstown House Stud EasyBox.
On arrivaI,I was welcomed by Darren with a drink and yummy lunch while swapping thoughts and tips with the other like-minded members and staff. As we now know, Willie and Ruby won the first two races with Ruby going on to win another one and Willie another two. Definitely a day for the Irish and not for the bookies!
I then dashed course side in anticipation of watching my best girl Annie Power win and quite literally bumped into Rick Ricci on his way to the owner & trainers viewing area - having met him a Doncaster, he quite possible now thinks he has the worlds clumsiest stalker. I watched the race with my heart in my mouth as Annie Power always seems to fluff the last hurdle in her races and this time was no different except she threw in her best Bruce Springsteen impression and slid on her knees before crumpling over. Disaster!
Back to the paddock then to watch the winner Glen's Melody come back into the winners enclosure. I got to shake Willie Mullins handand congratulate him on the day and finally meet Twitter buddy @RiosRider2 Fran who was taking a far better photographs than these of mine. A double whammy!
After a glass of champagne with the delighted owners, we all watched the remaining two races back in box 4052. J P McManus finally got his 64th birthday win with Cause Of Causes but I'm still waiting for my McManus 2nd string theory to be proved right! Thankfully my day's poor selecting was somewhat offset by backing a couple that I liked the looks of on the way to post (The Druids Nephew to win and Arctic Fire each way).
I have to say that whoever came up with the OLBG colour scheme did a sterling job as it really stands out. Next move must surely be horse ownership to carry those colours?
I said my thank you's and goodbyes and joined the queue in thefield car park to set off home, passing a line of 4 merry racegoers 'watering' the hedge (no photo of that or I might have been arrested or thumped!).
I was entertained on the journey home with the thought that even my TomTom is a OLBG fan with the same colours..see?
On my journey down to Cheltenham, I knew I was in for a good day when cruising along the outside lane at 80mph (I jest of course!!) I spotted some silly BMW motorist had left his red Christmas fairy lights in place behind his radiator. These had caught the sunlight as the car was setting off from the hard shoulder. Naturally, at this point I slowed down and changed lanes so the two men in suits could have a good look at what a Cheltenham race-goer looks like as they drove past!
I walked into the grounds behind Katy Walsh (feeling a little like Miranda Hart walking behind tiny Kylie) and located box 4052 which was next door to the Gigginstown House Stud EasyBox.
On arrivaI,I was welcomed by Darren with a drink and yummy lunch while swapping thoughts and tips with the other like-minded members and staff. As we now know, Willie and Ruby won the first two races with Ruby going on to win another one and Willie another two. Definitely a day for the Irish and not for the bookies!
At 3.50pm, we followed the leader down to the paddock for the Mares Hurdle .....I never did find out who the leader was so we just followed the OLBG scarves ahead of us. I was one of a number invited into the paddock with the owners and trainers and was totally and utterly delighted to be asked to choose the best turned out in the Mares Hurdle (Polly Peachum) and to present the envelope to the lad who looks after her.
I then dashed course side in anticipation of watching my best girl Annie Power win and quite literally bumped into Rick Ricci on his way to the owner & trainers viewing area - having met him a Doncaster, he quite possible now thinks he has the worlds clumsiest stalker. I watched the race with my heart in my mouth as Annie Power always seems to fluff the last hurdle in her races and this time was no different except she threw in her best Bruce Springsteen impression and slid on her knees before crumpling over. Disaster!
At this point my eyes were squeezed shut so I didn't her get to her feet and canter off or L'Unique come down behind her and stay down. I watched in fear as I saw the green screens put up around the stricken 'Annie' then the crowd cheered as the mare rose to her feet. Thankfully both horses and jockeys were unhurt and a fellow OLBG-er put me right on who was who.
Back to the paddock then to watch the winner Glen's Melody come back into the winners enclosure. I got to shake Willie Mullins handand congratulate him on the day and finally meet Twitter buddy @RiosRider2 Fran who was taking a far better photographs than these of mine. A double whammy! After a glass of champagne with the delighted owners, we all watched the remaining two races back in box 4052. J P McManus finally got his 64th birthday win with Cause Of Causes but I'm still waiting for my McManus 2nd string theory to be proved right! Thankfully my day's poor selecting was somewhat offset by backing a couple that I liked the looks of on the way to post (The Druids Nephew to win and Arctic Fire each way).
I have to say that whoever came up with the OLBG colour scheme did a sterling job as it really stands out. Next move must surely be horse ownership to carry those colours?
I said my thank you's and goodbyes and joined the queue in the
I was entertained on the journey home with the thought that even my TomTom is a OLBG fan with the same colours..see?
Many thanks for all involved in a fantastic day out and I hope that anyone reading this who may have been unsure about joining the friendly OLBG community (no £££ is requested or extracted, it's just given away!) or applying for free members' race tickets shouldn't hesitate for a second
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