With the Cheltenham Festival just round the corner, it gives me a great chance learn more and more about the racing industry. I enjoy reading about what is being said and it gives me more of an insight into finding value.

The Cheltenham Festival is easily one of the biggest racing events of the year. Across four days, we see non-stop excitement wrapped around a little fashion and some laughs.

The Cheltenham Festival really seems to have a little something for everyone. I like to think that it actually offers more than places like Wimbledon and Wembley. Four days of great races is obvious the clear link to Cheltenham. My favourite race is stereotypically the Gold Cup on the last day.

Love that Gold Cup

Sam Thomas jumps off Denman after an amazing victory in 2008.

Gold Cup= Excitement, agree Mr. Sam?

This race is yet another opportunity to see the best National Hunt horses go toe to toe. I think I love this race the most because its usually the one where research and experienced betters seem to come up trumps. Nothing worse than sitting next to say some random guy who is quietly picking a horse to the “eeny meeny miny mo” tune.

The race is not a short one either. It is 3 miles and 2.5 furlong long and the winner of the event is a true speciman of an animal. Any race that offers a tight race keeps me interested and the Gold Cup never lets me down.

Ladies Day

My favourite day of the festival has to be ladies day. I am not a fan of the fashion awards but I do think its funny seeing those huge hats. Any sporting event that brings in a way for the lads to bring their lady along is fine by me.

I took my fiancee to Wimbledon last year, rather embarassingly she fell asleep for most of the day. I do not blame her because she was jet lagged but if they had a ‘Ladies Day’ then maybe it would be different, maybe not.

The funny part about ‘Ladies Day’ is when the weather is poor and one of those crazy hats goes flying and you see an old boy having to chase after his Mrs’ expensive hat. Always gives me a giggle anyways.

Long Run is best priced at 5/2 to win another Gold Cup

Long Run 5/2 On to Win this year's Gold Cup

Betting

I always make sure that I have a bet on the Gold Cup. I do not usually take a look at many other races unless I get a good tip. My little brother works in selling horses so if he has any tips, then I will put them on obviously. However, this year I am looking forward into being a little more involved this year and will be starting my research a lot earlier.

The Festival offers such a variety in the types of races that I need to do a better job of taking advantage of such an opportunity. The amount of tips goes up dramatically as more and more people discuss who will win each race. I like the idea of always dealing with high quality horses so, I feel a little more confident on my predictions.

I got my journalism degree from Mississippi State University and have been offering advice on many sports for a fair few years now. I started off offering tips on tennis during the big tournaments (I played a lot as a junior) and really enjoyed helping out my Dad with tips.

After doing this for a few years, I realised that looking for value could be found in other sports that I enjoyed such as darts, snooker and football. This led to many accumulators no matter what the sport and then offering on advice on anybody that asked.

I am looking forward to putting my ideas down on paper and always appreciate comments from the reader.

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