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This is the last day – and the worst day of racing (in my opinion). Yes it has the most prestigious race, the Gold Cup, but the supporting cast of races is a bit uninspiring. This year I’ll be watching the Gold Cup on TV rather than travelling back across the Cotswolds.
But, don’t get me wrong, the Gold Cup is a great race – and one which has been very profitable for me in the past. Kicking King’s victory paid off the mortgage on Avery Towers, so what’s not to like about this race?
Last year’s winner Bobs Worth runs again – I didn’t think he would win last year (and was clearly wrong) and don’t think he will win again (wrong again?). Last year’s ‘might well have won if he hadn’t fallen’ horse, Silviniaco Conti, is back again and was highly fancied last year and will be again this year.
Potential outsiders to consider are Lord Windermere and Knockara Beau. Both will be priced at 33/1 or more and there are lots of reasons why they shouldn’t win and probably won’t be placed – we’ll see.
I wonder if any Sand Martins have arrived at Stanwick Lakes yet?
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48 horses have died at Cheltenham since 2007. Horse racing is every bit as barbaric as the badger cull, you f***ing hypocrite.
Why not make your argument in a slightly more eloquent way, rather than coming on swearing at the blog author on his own platform. Idiot, and obnoxious with it.
Well said JS.
Animal lover – you have a point. Thank you for making it.
Agreed.
It’s always a bit odd when people’s actions and words don’t seem to give completely the same message. You speak out strongly against shooting game birds, but actively support, promote and thus help perpetuate the arguably equine-unfriendly, sometimes deadly, ‘sport’ of racing. It does seem a bit muddled.
For example, from yesterday’s ‘Vermin’ post, and taken slightly out of context but pertinent in the light of animal lover’s comment “…but I see every animal killed as regrettable, and I have sought to minimise the numbers killed and to avoid as much suffering for them as possible.”
Although not regrettable enough apparently to condemn racing and give up attending race meetings and gambling on their outcomes, completely.
Nevertheless, racing remains an entirely legal activity, like hunting, shooting and fishing, so to paraphrase Voltaire, “I disapprove of what you do, but I will defend to the death your right to do it”
Keith – feeble. I don’t speak out strongly against shooting game birds, so you have got off to a rather poor start in your ‘argument’.
You should re-read page 81 of Fighting for Birds as a refresher.
But I can feel myself being more and more worried about the injuries caused to racehorses so maybe you had better watch this space.
Several horses dead seems a heavy price to pay to place bets