BEST AND WORST BETS


ANGUS MCNAE BEST


STEVE MELLISH BEST


Backing Star Rage for the County Hurdle, then the final race of the three-day Festival, in 1996 was definitely a high point. A useful dual-purpose horse – he was trained on the Flat by Mark Johnston and over jumps by Jimmy Harris – Star Rage had won at Carlisle on the Monday of Cheltenham week. The bookies didn’t take much notice and offered 20-1 about Star Rage. I thought he was overpriced and was delighted to see him hit the front on the bridle and win by three lengths.


WORST


When I had rung up to back Star Rage with the Tote – the company no longer exists and is distinct to the one now trading under the same name – I had asked for £200 each-way. I was offered £50 each- way, so asked my brother and a husband and wife living in my street to back the horse. They had Tote accounts and we got the £200 each-way on, but all four accounts were closed immediately aſter the race. Back a 20-1 winner at your peril – even at the Cheltenham Festival.


Buena Vista had a good record at the Festival, having finished third in the 2006 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and second in the 2009 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle. David Pipe’s horse had been well beaten on soſt ground at Newbury before the following year’s Pertemps, but I told then-Racing UK viewers he’d be a different horse on faster ground, and he won at 16-1. He followed up – at 20-1 – in 2011 (watch here). When it comes to Cheltenham, the best form is Festival form.


WORST There’s nothing worse than feeling you were right – but not getting paid. In the months leading up to the 2010 Champion Hurdle, I kept backing Khyber Kim to small stakes at massive prices. I felt the prize was within touching distance when Binocular was announced a non-runner, suffering from a muscle problem. You know the rest. He made a miraculous recovery and beat Khyber Kim, who finished six lengths clear of the rest. It still gives me sleepless nights.


RACING TV CLUBMAGAZINE 11


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