The Cheltenham Closer

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:08 pm

This Is the reason people like me count the days until The Cheltenham Festival with the highlight the Gold Cup.

We don't even mind If we lose our money. It's about seeing the creme de la creme of equine athletes coming together over 4 days to do battle.

It's also the place Royalty and the rich and famous flock to... It's THE place to be and to be seen.

It's not just horse racing. It's the world cup of equine talent.

My favourite people, trainers, horses and Jockeys and It's why we count the day until the next year.

2013 Full Festival Closer - YouTube

:-4:-4:-4:-4

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:08 am

Anyone watching the Cheltenham Closer I linked would have seen a horse ' Mad Moose ' simply refuse to start the race. Not throw his Jockey as some do when they get spooked but more of a ' Nope, I ain't going and you can't make me'...one In the eye for those rabid animal rights nuts who Insist that horses are forced to race.

He did it again after the Cheltenham Festival two weeks later at Aintree making It the 3 rd time he had refused to start. He was looking at a racing ban...

But... one thing I learnt very early In racing Is when a horse has the potential, never lose the faith.

Mad Moose has just come 2 nd today but I got 50/1...... Thanks Mad Moose..... faith restored.

One of the reasons I love this sport... people think we just see horses... we don't, we see characters like this one..

AnneBoleyn · Post by **AnneBoleyn** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:42 am

"...In the eye for those rabid animal rights nuts who Insist that horses are forced to race."

I guess they don't want horses ridden for any purpose, right? Or pulling a wagon? I love horses except Tillie, who deliberately stepped on my bare toe 34 years ago. Not that I'm holding a grudge or anything.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri May 10, 2013 7:59 am

AnneBoleyn;1426613 wrote: "...In the eye for those rabid animal rights nuts who Insist that horses are forced to race."

I guess they don't want horses ridden for any purpose, right? Or pulling a wagon? I love horses except Tillie, who deliberately stepped on my bare toe 34 years ago. Not that I'm holding a grudge or anything.

:wah::wah:

There's the gaping hole of hypocrisy Anne.

Every year especially at The Grand National, we deal with this rabid lot who Insist horses are forced to race yet they turn a blind eye to the cruelty and deaths of horses In farming.

Besides... The best example I can give Is a retired Gold Cup winner called Denman. Trained by Paul Nicholls, he Is an extremely dark horse prone to mood swings. During his racing career, It was anyone's guess weather he'd start the race, throw his jockey half way round or win by 10 lengths

To suggest that a Jockey standing 4 and a half feet tall and weighing 7 stone can ' force ' a beast standing 18 hands and solid muscle and sinew to race or jump Is just farcical.

Scroll through video to 7.30.... My point entirely... I remember on the day his Jockey Sam just laughing... there was nothing he could do.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:49 am

Us National Hunt buffs do like to plan ahead....

So... Simonsig Is to take on Sprinter Sacre In 2014 ?

Tickets already booked.

Cheltenham Festival 2013 Highlights - YouTube

Mutley · Post by **Mutley** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:05 am

Hi Oscar

I always smile when people look forward to Gold Cup or Grand National. I work at both these events (and other racecourses) every year and I almost dread them lol. Long days and damn hard work. It's worth it though. When you are at Cheltenham next year have a drink for me. I will be one of the many running around behind the scenes making sure you have fun. You deserve it.

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:42 am

Mutley;1435914 wrote: Hi Oscar

I always smile when people look forward to Gold Cup or Grand National. I work at both these events (and other racecourses) every year and I almost dread them lol. Long days and damn hard work. It's worth it though. When you are at Cheltenham next year have a drink for me. I will be one of the many running around behind the scenes making sure you have fun. You deserve it.

Hi Mutley.

For one, I don't drink... so It's no more than a coffee.

For two, I did 6 years apprenticeship with Ladbrooke's many years ago.

Three, my brother Is a course bookmaker and I have worked for years for him on almost every race course In the country Including the Royal enclosure at Royal Ascot, Aintree and Cheltenham and Point to Point so I am very well aware of long hours and freezing cold weather on tracks In all In order for punters to have a bet.

Four, I have a share In a racehorse who won her second race last month.

Five, I have hundreds of associates and connections In the racing world Including jockeys, grooms and trainers.

And 6, I am a horse racing tipster and spend many many hours studying weight, jockey, form, ratings, track, going, distance etc etc all season as a culmination of the Cheltenham Festival. My tipster name Is the name of a flat sprinter who was banned In 1979 by the jockey club.

So, no, It's not about having a bit of fun on race day at the Grand National or the Gold Cup. It Is a way of life for me as It was my Father.

Finally, when I go to the races not In a working capacity, I don't actually watch the races, you'll find me In the pre-parade ring photographing and getting up close with the horses because that's what racing Is about.... The horses.

Example... this Is one of my photographs I took myself of the 2008 Gold Cup winner ' Denman'.

Attached files

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 2:52 am

here's another of my own photo's... The 2012 Grand National winner Neptune Colognes..... I could be here all day but I'll leave It at this.

Attached files

Mutley · Post by **Mutley** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 3:22 am

Loving the photographs!Thanks for sharing. I wasn't having a dig about enjoying the day while others work I was just commenting on how I smile at others anticipation of something that I dread. I love the fact that you have a completely different day to the one I have. I am inside for almost the whole meeting while you have to endure the crowds and the always unpredictable weather. I can probably count on one hand the amount of horses I have seen during my 10 years at Cheltenham. Not that I mind really as they kind of scare me. Aintree is a bit different as I can see the horses from the office door ( if I venture out which is rare) but the smaller courses like Exeter, Warwick, etc make it easier to see the horses. Especially Warwick as you can see the course from everywhere! I am back at Warwick in November for a few meets and then Cheltenham in November too. I will think of you while I am all warm in the office. What do you think of the new plans for Cheltenham?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Wed Sep 11, 2013 7:44 am

Mutley;1435918 wrote: Loving the photographs!Thanks for sharing. I wasn't having a dig about enjoying the day while others work I was just commenting on how I smile at others anticipation of something that I dread. I love the fact that you have a completely different day to the one I have. I am inside for almost the whole meeting while you have to endure the crowds and the always unpredictable weather. I can probably count on one hand the amount of horses I have seen during my 10 years at Cheltenham. Not that I mind really as they kind of scare me. Aintree is a bit different as I can see the horses from the office door ( if I venture out which is rare) but the smaller courses like Exeter, Warwick, etc make it easier to see the horses. Especially Warwick as you can see the course from everywhere! I am back at Warwick in November for a few meets and then Cheltenham in November too. I will think of you while I am all warm in the office. What do you think of the new plans for Cheltenham?

No problem, I have a few men friends who like to think of them selves as proffessional tipsters and sometimes quite rudely dismiss anything I say as ' you're having a laugh'.

Cheltenham Is actually very near my home but the expansion was crucial and much needed. The Festival Is nothing but a scrum. Where as It's easy to get pics of the horses at any other meet, The Cheltenham Festival especially the Winners enclosure and pre-parade ring are a nightmare especially on Gold Cup day.

One of my favourite courses Is Newbury and luckily not far from my home again. I love the hospitality and If you go Premier, the layout means, a quick dash and you can see the parade, saddling and the race with a quick run back to the winners enclosure.

I hate Wincanton for I will never forget being outside In one of brothers mobile betting vans on a Boxing Day, minus 7 degree's. My fingers were so cold I couldn't pick notes up. The snow turned to rain and we were stuck In mud until the RAC towed us out at 9 pm,

But I love It... It's my passion,

eta... very excited... I am flying to Ireland at Christmas to the Punchestown Festival on a Jolly...