scotia goes back 7 yrs to Cheltenham

Hi everyone, its been a few weeks but just been trying to get back to normal since my travels.

Glad to report one item from the bucket list went without a hitch.

I am sure many have read the Forum and seen some of the pics, but just to recap a wonderful day at the Cheltenham Gold Cup apart from Kauto taking an early bow!




A huge thanks to the Betfair team and especially Elliott for making it another day to remember and we were treated like Kings.
Just trying to remember how much was crammed in from the Champagne and bacon rolls on the train, the gifts at the door, the pre race panel discussions, more drinks, more food, the neck massages, the magic vibe, the rain, the train journey back to London and the Chinese take away to end a fantastic day.

The following morning off for a tour of the Betfair offices in London again as expected different class.



I visited many bookies shops to have a look and in a way just too much racing and overload for the punters. Every 2 mins you could punt on a dog or a horse or a "virtual" dog or horse also slot machines if you were getting bored, a dream for the compulsive punters.

Spent a few days with family in London and Edinburgh and again the hospitality and generosity second to none, a diet has to be on the bucket list? but could be a late scratching.

Great catching up with Hibby/Bob in the flesh and we were able to discuss the best way forward for the site.

One thing I did enjoy was the activity level in the normal boozers rather than just food and drink an abundance of local talent to entertain young and old (25 to 65) playing late into the evenings.

At present having a good family get together over the Easter weekend but then have to get back to normal for Tuesday.

Sometimes when you travel on your own it gives you time to think and priorities what is important in life, so suggest we all take a deep breath and think what's best for you and your families before letting stress take over.



I even watched a couple of movies on the plane "2012", I am sure global warming is a major issue and not far fetched, however what the producers done in the first hour with a car and plane journey made the movie a farce and it will be difficult to make one of theses "Mickey taking movies" as it was already done in the original.

The World Cup is receiving much attention and I have a few soccer fans coming to the big T during the tournament to show them the value and facilities we have in SA with a bit luck a few potential new owners?

I am not sure who is going to win the Cup but hope we get plenty visitors as revised air and accommodation costs are being looked at.
I am sure Spain 4/1, Brazil 5/1, England 6/1 are the likely winners with Portugal 33/1 a good outsider and we can hope the hosts at 150/1 can put up a good performance.

As far as the Premier, Chelsea back in the driving seat at 7/10, Utd 5/2 and the Gunners 13/2.

Have been keeping up with Garrick's first class posts on the Super 14 and not much change at this stage with the favs Bulls/Crusaders around 5/2 and Stormers/Brumbies/Warathas around 8/1.

We would appear to have a couple of potential stars on the local racing front with Pierre Jordan and Val De Ra and this can only be good to bring people racing.


Val De Ra is too hot to trot! (pic Leon Setaro/Interbet)

The English flat is under way and look forward to seeing another star in the form of St Nicholas Abbey in the 2000 gns(5/2) and Derby (22/10), could we have another Sea the Stars?

Trivia question what's the longest race during the flat season? answer the Grand National and as the jumps come to a close Big Fella Thanks tops the boards at 10/1 for the Aintree race on the 10th April, but this year I have more interest in the Scottish equivalent at Ayr on the 17th where Denman is on offer at 4/1 (this could prove a magic price imo).

As far as American Idols it would appear a female will win and the very talented but not so good looking Crystal Bowersox has the best voice and from the guys Lee Dewyze is the best, but would be great if big Mike keeps going.

As you are aware we changed servers over the last month and continue to upgrade the site and even with the disruptions we had over 1.6 Million hits in March, so thanks again for the support.

Mrs S has booked us another trip up the Vaal river with a couple of friends on the house boats, so another Bucket list item to enjoy

You are a short time living and a long time dead especially if we consider only 2 years to 2012. On the other hand you might be building a little arc or houseboat at the top of the Drakensburg?

Good punting!

scotia

I sat in a William Hill a couple of weeks back and witnessed a person lose £1600.00 in about 20 minutes on Virtual dogs, vitual horses and on the machines in the shop. As you say there are far too many other attractions in the shop other than the live dogs and horses that will in the end be the downfall of the punter and in the end the bookie. Within 10 years most firms will have halfed the amount of shops they have on the streets.

C and C spoke to a couple of lads running the shops and they said they are struggling to get staff at the moment and with the planned longer hours it does lead to more shops closing as they wont have the staff.
I felt on line from home would be the best, but you dont get much a coverage from the house? however my family dont gamble so probably dont subscribe to racing channels.

Test

Geez was that 7 years ago

Yes Bob, Molly and me were just kids then

Talking about Cheltenham and memories.... some video and pics as well as stories of the great Istabraq would be good.. can't wait for next week!

Ok sharky

The Irish enjoy a winner

We all miss AP and this is a long video and I did back the man and to me this was the most unbelievable ride I had ever watched

Lovely videos and memories, great festival! The Irish always pull off one massive gamble every year.. I remember the Walsh family pulling off £2mil to £60k around the same year as Istibraq! Good times. What many don't know is the legendary Adian O'Brein trained Istabraq, quite a feat for a flat trainer...3 Gold Cups in a row!