David Pipe for Prime Minister

Until yesterday it had been a pretty unpleasant Cheltenham for me on the betting front with Peddlers Cross defeated and Time for Rupert looking like something was badly amiss.

So it was with real trepidation that I placed my bets yesterday. The day didn't start well with Wishfull Thinking brave but ultimately not quite good enough. However, I'd had a call from a betting colleague just before the first to say that the Pipe yard were extremely bullish about the chances of both Buena Vista and Junior. He'd had a hefty each way bet on BV in the Pertemps Final, a very hefty win bet on Junior (who I'd already had a large piece of myself) and a reasonable each way double on the 2.  He was starting to get cold feet about the size of his bets and offered me half. I was a little worried about Buena Vista because I'd already had a fairly large bet on Lush Life but after a few moments reflection on how shrewd/well connected  my colleague is I decided to take him up on his offer.

The rest is history.  Suffice to say the Cheltenham expenses were well and truly secured along with a decent war chest for the coming months. Before you start to feel sorry for my colleague, let me say that we regularly take a piece of each others bets and he's done just fine in the past out of mine!

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On to today and it looks exceptionally tricky again. I won't be betting big on anything.

The Gold Cup

I had liked the look of China Rock at a price in the Gold Cup but he certainly wouldn't want too much rain today. I have been wondering if some sneaky watering has been going on - I found it very interesting that the Arkle on Tuesday was won in a time 3 seconds quicker than the Champion Chase on Wednesday.

I know that the Henderson yard are exceptionally keen on the chances of Long Run and it wouldn't be much of a surprise to see him win but there are a few too many negatives for me to get involved at anything like the 5/1 currently available.

The value is all gone on Kempes, Pandorama would like more rain, Kauto Star, Denman and Imperial Commander have obvious claims. The whole race looks very open to me and therefore not not one to get heavily involved in. I have a betfair antepost bet on Neptune Collonges at 100 and will have a small each way bet on China Rock at 33/1.Very tricky indeed.

Other Bets for me  Today

The Pipe yard are very confident in the chances of I'msingingtheblues in the Grand Annual and I very much like the chances myself of On The Fringe in the Foxhunters. I'll have small win bets on each and a very small each way double.

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The Cheltenham Banker Tipping Competition reaches it's final day with Rugbymoon still leading the way but with a bunching field in behind there's everything  to play for. The table below shows the current running order and I think the final day will be crucial. Good luck to everybody! I will post final day selections here just after 1pm.

Points	Nickname
10	Rugbymoon
6	Fingerlickin
5	Smoggy
5	Donno
4	Billp
2.75	SallyL
2.75	Winfinder
0	Playingwithfire
0	Peter the Punter
0	Pip
0	Clm2908
0	Silver Fox (Fergal)
0	g.camplin
0	Trevs
0	Gavnic
0	Misty1
0	Johnr85
0	LiamD
0	Giggy
0	Foss
0	TJ
0	Jonty
0	David
-9.17	Marvo
-10	Arn07
-10	Silver Fox (Martin)
-10	Chimbu
-10	Neilo69
-10	UKBS
-10	Mickediff
-10	Dumper
-10	Crottly
-20	Lobbydosser
-20	Phoebeb
-20	Ged S
-20	Juliejugs38
-20	Marbir
-20	Cashelman
-20	Mikrik
-20	Ged Mc
-20	General
-20	Slaithwaite58
-20	Pmillar
-20	Sibiznet
-20	Marcus01
-20	Dave
-20	Hopeless
-20	Breenie
-20	Tootsie
-20	Peterpickum
-20	Gbates