That Floating Feeling At Cheltenham

Simon Nott watches the bookies endure a wash-out with occasional outbreaks of sun

- Simon Nott

CHELTENHAM NOVEMBER MEETING FRIDAY

What a glorious day to be in the betting ring. The opening Markel Insurance Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase was a very quiet betting heat to open with at around 5/1 the field.

There was unlikely to be a monster bet and there wasn’t, but Star Sports did manage to lay a £10,000 – £100 each-way Angus Milan early on, they never had a worry. David Pipe’s What A Moment won the race at 11/1 which would have been a fair start for the bookies in the ring that managed to take any money.

The Fairlight Books Novices’ Handicap Hurdle was another tricky looking heat and one you’d excuse the punters for standing back from. However, they didn’t, backing the favourite Magic Dancer which was cut from 4/1 into 7/2 then into 10/3 at the off though there was still 7/2 to be had in the ring if you looked around. Come racing. The result, the jolly first the rest nowhere, which ensured the betting ring was already on the back foot on the day.

Despite only nine going to post for the BetVictor Handicap Steeple Chase it was another competitive betting race with Exitas hovering around 3/1 at the top of the market. There was some light-hearted banter when ITV Racing’s Matt Chapman visited the Star Sports joint talking to their boss Ben Keith, no doubt for fashion advice, though I couldn’t really hear. Then the punting got going. Kapstadt deposed Exitas briefly as favourite when money came in, including a £1,500 bet at 7/2 but at the off the latter had won that particular battle going off at a carpet 3/1. Where it really mattered, though, in the race, neither of the market leaders were a match for 13/2 winner Doitforthevillage, who also did it for the bookmakers who were over the moon just to get the front two beaten.