bettrends LIVE! – Cheltenham, Day 2

Wed, Mar 17, 2010

Xtrends

Welcome back for Day 2 of bettrends LIVE! at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival.

Today’s Live report, from Paul Jones and the bettrends team, is below.

Make sure to check back tomorrow for the LIVE! report from Day 3.

5:28 PM: Paul Jones Signing off for today now. Overall a very good day for the ante post service but a terrible day for trend horses. Never mind, four impossible handicaps tomorrow. Back tomorrow about 10 a m
5:28 PM: bettrends.co.uk Before you go don’t forget, if you missed any of the action from this Cheltenham Festival, or if you just fancy re-living one of the big races, head over to www.sportinglife.com where they’ve got FREE VIDEO from RUK
5:25 PM: bettrends.co.uk Turning into a bit of a bloodbath – will it continue or will the bookies take a caning tomorrow?
5:25 PM: Paul Jones OMG it was a 4yo as well!!!
5:23 PM: bettrends.co.uk Ladies Day tomorrow……bound to be some sights and sounds to behold (nothing on the scale of Aintree though!)
5:22 PM: bettrends.co.uk PJ – nip to the shops and buy Colin Tizzard a new hat!
5:21 PM: Paul Jones To be on the best of the Irish and not win sticks in the throat a bit but will take 25s ew advised on the ante post service. Day of a lifetime ran like my wife drives
5:20 PM: bettrends.co.uk Never thought I’d see the day – PJ is speechless with a 40/1 winner in the last – go team Tizzard
5:19 PM: Paul Jones ??????? Speechless
5:19 PM: bettrends.co.uk Escapes a run in with a baler in the summer and rides the winner of the Weatherbys Champion Bumper – priceless!
5:18 PM: bettrends.co.uk Go Jo Tizzard!
5:18 PM: bettrends.co.uk Might be the final race at Chelters, but the Weatherbys Racing Club horse runs in the last at Huntingdon – Kahlua Cove’s her name and she’s trained by Hendo!
5:13 PM: bettrends.co.uk Ruby Walsh now most successful Cheltenham Festival jockey ever.
5:09 PM: bettrends.co.uk PJ – think the boys all backed Sanctuaire – Dan Green has emailed in and said: Me and Mister Mr Jones.. Mr Jones, Mr Jones Mr Jones.. We gotta thing going on!
Friend of yours?
5:08 PM: Paul Jones Jeez I see he has been hammered into 7-2
5:07 PM: Paul Jones Wow…. Just seen Shot from the hip. If only he had a better jockey!
5:06 PM: Paul Jones Can also put in a good word for Dare Me. Vessels sticking out so fit like all Hobbs horses I have seen so far
5:05 PM: Paul Jones Elegant Concorde looks like a flat horse amongst chasers. ideal for a good ground bumper. Hidden universe actually bigger than stablemate surprising as a 4yo
5:03 PM: Paul Jones Tavern times looks an old fashioned Morley street type
5:02 PM: Paul Jones Frawley is a very strong horse, dunraven storm looks magnificent
5:00 PM: Paul Jones Unfashionable yard but carpincho catches the eye
4:48 PM: Paul Jones That makes it a very good day for the ante post service. Come on day of a lifetime and frawley in the bumper
4:44 PM: Paul Jones Hallelujah!
4:32 PM: Paul Jones Fantastic muscle definition on George Nympton. Got to back him ew on the tote at big price
4:29 PM: Paul Jones Hope so as on at 12s
4:28 PM: Paul Jones Open Day another Jonjo horse looking well at this meeting
4:27 PM: bettrends.co.uk Can Sanctuaire break Nicholls’ duck?
4:27 PM: Paul Jones Loch Long has just destroyed half the paddock
4:26 PM: Paul Jones These Nick Williams horses all look great. George Nympton the latest
4:25 PM: Paul Jones Course to be watered tonight. 4-5mm
4:25 PM: Paul Jones Bothy well muscled up. More so than when saw him at Bangor
4:25 PM: bettrends.co.uk There you go Andrew – a double whammy! Don’t say we don’t listen to our viewers
4:24 PM: Paul Jones Just spotted my two paddock picks
4:21 PM: Paul Jones Sanctuaire looks very loose. Most taken by him
4:20 PM: bettrends.co.uk Cheltenham Jackpot – Not won. £184,940 big money rollover!
4:20 PM: Paul Jones Someone called Sizzles has just collected the prize!
4:17 PM: bettrends.co.uk We’re all in the same boat PJ – KEEP THE FAITH!
4:16 PM: bettrends.co.uk Off piste again but this is how the youth of today see racing – guy called Ben Higgins commented on his blog today:
“Everybody at Cheltenham Racecourse looks like they could be placed into an episode of Antiques roadshow and nobody would question it.”
4:15 PM: Paul Jones Paddock horses gone well first 11 races and weapons amnesty rescued the ante post bets but badly need a trends horse to win.
4:12 PM: bettrends.co.uk Great 2nd Day of the Festival; my boss has just text me to let me know he’s still got his 100% record at the 2010 Festival – 5 bets, NO wins!
4:07 PM: Paul Jones Not having much luck with fallers travelling well or fancies impeded by fallers. That’s the end of the Henderson stat!
4:07 PM: bettrends.co.uk 164/1 double for Barry Geraghty after Big Zeb!
4:05 PM: bettrends.co.uk Another one for Hendo
3:58 PM: bettrends.co.uk Just in from the P.A.Big Zeb laid to rest his jumping demons with a flawless performance in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – with Master Minded well beaten.The 10-1 chance was always travelling strongly for Barry Geraghty and had a nice lead into the straight from Forpadydeplasterer before jumping the last superbly to seal a six-length victory.
Kalahari King ran on from the rear to beat the reigning champion Master Minded for third spot, while a bad mistake put paid to the chances of Twist Magic.

Geraghty said: “It was a great performance and he’s jumped well all year. He ran no race at Sandown (in the Tingle Creek), but other than that he’s been very good.

“He had a good look around after the last and I thought he was going to pull up, but he found plenty when he needed to. I had a lot left when I kicked for home.”
3:57 PM: bettrends.co.uk Master Minded flopped because…….Ruby Walsh said of beaten favourite Master Minded: “He wouldn’t go on the ground as it was too quick for him.”
3:56 PM: bettrends.co.uk Weapon’s Amnesty is 12/1 to win next year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup following his win at Cheltenham. Blue Square go 12/1 on the seven-year-old winning the 2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup after he impressed en route to winning the RSA Chase.
3:52 PM: bettrends.co.uk Yep – Kevin Kelly & Andrew Blagden want to know the same thing – WHERE DID YOU EAT LAST NIGHT AND WHAT FLAVOUR???
3:51 PM: bettrends.co.uk Just slightly off piste – but was wondering which you went for last night – curry or chinese – and was it any good?
3:50 PM: bettrends.co.uk Andrew – especially for you!!!
3:50 PM: bettrends.co.uk
3:48 PM: Paul Jones Will try later!
3:46 PM: Paul Jones Tough but just favour wishful thinking on paddock appearance
3:45 PM: bettrends.co.uk PJ – Andrew Blagden’s been on; he’s wondering where today’s pics of the pretty girls are????
3:44 PM: Paul Jones Spirit River another to really take the eye. surprised how small silk hall and Hampshire boy are
3:43 PM: bettrends.co.uk Dave Ord – our good friend over at sportinglife.com – is loving Colm Murphy’s celebrations after that win: “If I ever trained a Cheltenham winner, unlikely as I don’t have a licence and my garden is four foot square, I’d celebrate like Colm Murphy.”
3:41 PM: Paul Jones Plenty look well to be honest as you would expect including Mamlook and Gold Award
3:41 PM: bettrends.co.uk Dan Green seems to have backed Weapon’s Amnesty and is enjoying your coverage Paul; and Peter Meadows has napped us Tavern Times in the concluding Weatherbys Champion Bumper – good luck people.
3:39 PM: Paul Jones Like Menorah yesterday Hobbs has got Wishfull Thinking looking lean and mean
3:39 PM: bettrends.co.uk Few more emails: Simondo liking PJ’s tip for Sanctuaire in the 4:40 – he also commented Weapon’s Amnesty was overpriced (let’s hope he was on!)
3:38 PM: Paul Jones How many good looking horses has Nick Williams got? James De Vassy looks very well
3:35 PM: bettrends.co.uk And just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse – news from twitterverse tells us: “Boyfriend bet on Big Zeb at Cheltenham for the sole reason that his cat is called Zeb”.
3:34 PM: bettrends.co.uk OK. Onto the fiercely competitive 28-runner Coral Cup at 4.00 where it is 8-1 the field – just what we all need!!
3:31 PM: bettrends.co.uk The announcer’s not helping things: “Turning into a blood bath for favourite punters.”
3:30 PM: Paul Jones They do not look happy chappies
3:30 PM: bettrends.co.uk Not looking very cheerful in the Nicholls camp!
3:29 PM: Paul Jones
3:26 PM: bettrends.co.uk Shame we all forgot about it this time around – what price no winners for the Ditcheat-gang at this year’s festival?
3:25 PM: Paul Jones Hmmm seem to remember backing a horse called Big Zeb in last year’s Champion Chase
3:24 PM: bettrends.co.uk What a stinker from the Nicholls jolly!!!
3:23 PM: bettrends.co.uk Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…..
3:18 PM: Paul Jones Ok…. I am on Master Minded to win by over five lengths at 5-2. Hope ruby goes on three out. Got feeling they have a point to prove and want to win by far as possible
3:16 PM: Paul Jones First sunshine of the day
3:06 PM: Paul Jones Ruby already jocked up. Wonder if wants to get out early
3:05 PM: Paul Jones But Forpadydeplaster looks outstanding
3:04 PM: Paul Jones Master minded looks a picture
2:57 PM: Paul Jones Ironic the worst jumper in the field was flawless whereas the big three all made mistakes
2:57 PM: Paul Jones That’s one big head to head that proved to be anything but. The next one is on friday
2:47 PM: Paul Jones I have found my new lucky spot!
2:36 PM: Paul Jones Off to find a new lucky spot. Given up on the old one
2:33 PM: Paul Jones Long run paddock pick from diamond harry. Punchestowns never one to really stand out as a looker but no negatives
2:32 PM: Paul Jones Burton port looks like a pony against these
2:31 PM: Paul Jones Long Run is one exceptionally loose muscled horse – beautiful
2:30 PM: Paul Jones Diamond Harry not run up light this year unlike at last years festival
2:28 PM: Paul Jones Little josh – bonny horse and jig jogging on his toes
2:26 PM: Paul Jones Weapons Amnesty has been my long term ew fancy here and has his ground but form of yard the problem especially after Solwhit.
2:22 PM: Paul Jones Have to say was a bit surprised a horse could out-stamina reve de sivola. When he was in front I felt he would be hard to pass. Finians rainbow travelled well but not see race out. Same in Challow. Maybe he is soft?
2:19 PM: Paul Jones Timeform boys all over shadow dancer in the coral cup on their ratings plus the boy on top takes off 10lbs. The worry is whether Aintree may be the plan but interesting nonetheless
2:15 PM: Paul Jones Word is Weld felt he did not stay
2:14 PM: bettrends.co.uk We want to hear from you if you’ve had a bet today…email us on: bettrends@googlemail.com with your NAP OF THE DAY and we’ll put some of your bets out there. Let us know your name and where you’re from too!
2:14 PM: bettrends.co.uk Thanks for all your emails. Seems a great many of you are having a winning time. We’ll try and give you all a shout out before the close of play.
2:11 PM: Paul Jones I wonder if we will see Rite Of Passage over hurdles again?
2:01 PM: Paul Jones First drops of rain!
1:58 PM: Paul Jones Without a doubt this is the best group of horses I have seen this week. Shame rite of passage managed all of one lap
1:55 PM: Paul Jones Quel esprit looks great. Has a lot of zing about him
1:53 PM: Paul Jones Ghizao does not like me. Keeps giving me the right eye
1:52 PM: Paul Jones Reve De Sivola is one muscled-up big horse. Looks more mature than many of these yet is joint youngest
1:47 PM: Paul Jones Two lady riders – first and second. Runner-up ran on any three shoes
1:39 PM: Paul Jones My outsider falls and brings my main fancy to a standstill. How’s yer luck?
1:20 PM: Paul Jones Can not fault abbeybraney or any currency. Both look well
1:19 PM: Paul Jones Not a big fan of his resolution or trainer record on the race but the skin on Massasoit stands out from the others
1:19 PM: bettrends.co.uk Sky Bet are going four places instead of three in the Neptune Investment Hurdle
1:17 PM: bettrends.co.uk Martin from Otford in Kent tells us his Nap of the Day is Drumbaloo who will take a lot of beating in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
1:16 PM: bettrends.co.uk Paul from Doncaster’s keen on Punchestown’s in the RSA Chase; Adrian Massey has lumped on Mobaasher in the first; and Lucy, from Tewkesbury’s, liking the look of Sanctuaire in the 4:40.
1:12 PM: bettrends.co.uk PJ – you’ve got a fan! Great shout in from Steve Harris: “I Just do what Paul tells us to do!” Good luck to you today Steve.
1:12 PM: Paul Jones Becauseicouldntsee looks like a hunter – might not be a bad thing in this race
1:11 PM: bettrends.co.uk Placepot pool update – £616242 at Cheltenham. Get your bets on for 1.30pm!
12:56 PM: Paul Jones Time for a placepot: mobaasher and tinakellylad; rite of passage and summit meeting; punchestowns; kalahari king; silverhand, wishfull thinking and lake legend; sanctuaire and diktalina
12:50 PM: Paul Jones Having watched many J P McManus horses this season I feel he could have a very good spring in the major handicaps. In fact I reckon if you blindly backed all of his in handicaps at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown you would be quids in at the end as usually has a couple pop up at big prices. I am going to try it starting from today
12:42 PM: Paul Jones Money all for Shot From The Hip in the bumper
12:40 PM: bettrends.co.uk If anyone’s looking for Paul for the rest of the Festival they can find him here….
12:40 PM: bettrends.co.uk
12:36 PM: bettrends.co.uk PJ crashes the Royal Box – priceless!!
12:36 PM: Paul Jones I just tried to get in the royal box by mistake! Security not impressed
12:35 PM: bettrends.co.uk Tom Scudamore cleared to ride today after passing Doctor. His 3 rides today are: Gus Macrae (Neptune), Mamlook (Coral), Hunterview (Fred Winter).
12:31 PM: bettrends.co.uk Mobaasher isc now vying for favouritism in the National Hunt Chase
12:30 PM: bettrends.co.uk Today’s Betfair Market Movers:1.30
Any Currency 7.86 out to 9.6
Becauseicouldntsee 12.06 in to 9
Massasoit 7.14 out to 11.5
Mobaasher 12.95 in to 9.8
Presenting Forever 21.43 in to 15
Poker De Sivola 14.73 out to 17.5
Pennek 41.08 in to 25

2.05
Quel Esprit 4.3 out to 5.6
Manyriverstocross 25 in to 17.5

2.40
Weapons Amnesty 8.8 out to 11.0
Knockara Beau 23 out 30

15.20
Well Chief 38 out to 55

4.00
Wishfull Thinking 16.5 in to 13.5
Hampshire Express 32 in to 20
Lake Legend 15.5 out to 23
James De Vassy 22 out to 34
Gold Award 65 in to 30

4.40
Notus De La Tour 6.4 out to 7.4
Cross Appeal 28 in to 20

5.15
Dare Me 36 in to 23
Shannon Spirit 34 in to 22
Up Ou That 25 out to 40
12:24 PM: Paul Jones On this ground I have to back Rite Of Passage now he is 4-1 as he is group class on the Flat and is taking on NH stock. Could kill them for toe on good ground
12:21 PM: Paul Jones I see my dark one for the four miler Tinakellylad is now no bigger than 20s. Hope some of you got the massive prices yesterday….sweet on Mobaasher myself
12:21 PM: bettrends.co.uk Noel Meade reports Go Native none the worse after disappointing in the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle
12:19 PM: bettrends.co.uk Ah c’mon…you gotta love it: www.youtube.com
12:19 PM: Paul Jones Just finished overnight copy for weds. Will now see what we can sniff out
12:18 PM: Paul Jones The song is on again…. Groans galore from the Media Centre
12:18 PM: bettrends.co.uk Great – thanks PJ – thought you’d fallen off!
12:17 PM: Paul Jones PJ walked some of it. As quick as yesterday so will be leaning towards the class horses again
12:15 PM: bettrends.co.uk Just in from the P.A.Medermit pulled muscles in his back when finishing a disappointing seventh in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham on Tuesday.Trainer Alan King reported the grey to be very sore this morning, but is undecided whether he will run again this season prior to going novice chasing next term.
“Medermit pulled muscles in his back and is very sore. That might explain his below-par performance,” said King.

“I’m not sure if that’s it for the year now, I’ll see. It’s a bit too early to tell at this stage.”

On what was a luckless day for King, Bensalem fell at the second-last in the William Hill Trophy Chase when looking likely to play a huge part in the finish.

“He’s fine this morning, it was just one of those things,” added the trainer.

“He’s got a few cuts, but he trotted up perfectly sound. He looked to be going very well, but he lives to fight another day.”
12:00 PM: bettrends.co.uk Pubs over flowing with people, bagpipes, fiddles and people dressed as jockeys. It’s Cheltenham races
11:56 AM: bettrends.co.uk The question on everyone’s lips: Has PJ walked the course today or given it a miss??
11:55 AM: bettrends.co.uk Don’t forget, you can stay connected with us throughout the Festival on Twitter – www.twitter.com and on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com
11:51 AM: bettrends.co.uk CHAMPION CHASE SPECIALS – Betting without Master Minded – Kalahari King is 13/8 to win with Sky Bet
11:49 AM: bettrends.co.uk Cheltenham missing the Irish? Anglo Irish Bank pulled out two years ago, Smurfit Kappa last week announced the end of its 20-year sponsorship of the Champion Hurdle, and Ballymore Properties has also withdrawn its backing. Meanwhile, Ryanair’s chief executive Michael O’Leary has said that the airline will probably end its long-running support when its current deal ends in 2012.Peter McNeile, Cheltenham’s sponsorship director, explained that the festival would be looking for sponsors from a more diverse range of sectors and confirmed that it was in talks with Wrigley’s and Waitrose.
11:45 AM: bettrends.co.uk Nicholls unsure about Big character: Paul Nicholls and Andy Stewart have sounded a note of caution over the chance of Big Buck’s landing a second victory in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham on Thursday. Nicholls said: “He is a real old character at home and I am sure he will get himself beat one day by pulling himself up.“The better the race, the better he is and I can’t say that he is a banker due to his character.”
11:41 AM: bettrends.co.uk Willie Mullins feels the drying ground will not unduly worry his three runners in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Wednesday.
11:40 AM: bettrends.co.uk Ante-post favourite Rivaliste is among 20 confirmed runners for the Jewson Novices’ Chase, the first race tomorrow.
11:28 AM: bettrends.co.uk Sunnyhillboy will get a run at this year’s festival after he scraped in at number 20 of 24 confirmed runners for Thursday’s Byrne Group Plate.
11:16 AM: bettrends.co.uk Kauto Star and Denman head a field of 11 for Friday’s 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
11:08 AM: bettrends.co.uk Brighton & Hove Albion chairman Tony Bloom is at the Cheltenham Festival today to watch his horse, Little Josh, run in the RSA Chase.
11:03 AM: bettrends.co.uk Quevega could tackle the boys in the Aintree Hurdle at Aintree next month after winning the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham for the second year in succession.
10:54 AM: bettrends.co.uk Yep – official confirmation just through, number 17, Synchronised (IRE) is a Non Runner (Going).
10:51 AM: Paul Jones Favourite out of NH Chase – Synchronised a gonner
10:50 AM: Paul Jones Sunnyhillboy goes in Plate rather than Jewson
10:49 AM: bettrends.co.uk Punchestowns is the new 2-1 favourite (from 5-2) for the RSA Chase with Coral, after a single bet of £20,000 forced the firm to replace Long Run at the head of their market.
10:47 AM: bettrends.co.uk News for tomorrow’s World Hurdle from Howard Johnson: Howard Johnson certainly knows what it takes to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle having saddled Cheltenham legend Inglis Drever to a hat-trick of successes. This year he is represented by 2008 Arkle Trophy hero Tidal Bay, but the Durham handler admits he does not measure up to his former stable companion.“He’s good but he’s no Inglis Drever, you only get one like him and it was some achievement to win three World Hurdles. It would be good to win another one with Tidal Bay but as long as he comes back safe and well, that’s the main thing,” said Johnson.
“I had been thinking about putting Tidal Bay back over hurdles because he wasn’t having a cut at his jumps. He was just backing off a bit. I was pleased with the way he won the Cleeve Hurdle, he has a good record round Cheltenham. He’s in good order and as long as the ground is good, he’ll be fine.”
10:44 AM: bettrends.co.uk 4:40 Cheltenham
WED 17 MAR 2010
Fred Winter Juvenile Novices´ Handicap Hurdle Grade 3 (CLASS 1) (4yo) Winner £42,758RUK
Good 2m110y Number of runners: 24

11 Sanctuaire 4-y-o 11-2 P F Nicholls R Walsh
bay or brown gelding Kendor (FR) — Biblique (FR) (Saint Cyrien (FR))
High in weights on Taunton winning form but may improve.
10:39 AM: Paul Jones My banker today? Sanctuaire
10:28 AM: bettrends.co.uk In the opening contest – National Hunt Chase – there has been good support for Mobaasher, with Stan James going 9-1 (from 12).
10:20 AM: bettrends.co.uk News from the twitterverse tells of woes for one unlucky gang of lads heading to Prestbury Park: “took minibus driver far too long to realise that Cheltenham isn’t 2 hours away.. and that he’d set his satnav to ‘forbid motorways’.”
10:20 AM: Paul Jones I backed Quantitativeasing at a nice price over a week ago so am happy but I can not resist 33-1 about another J P McManus horse in the Coral Cup in Silverhand ew first 5 places who will love this ground and I do like J P handicappers at this meeting especially after a break. Mind you I fancy half a dozen for this race.
10:16 AM: bettrends.co.uk Bookies seemed to have a good day yesterday, with William Hill estimating they could have ended the day up £30m.
9:59 AM: bettrends.co.uk BTW – Happy St Patrick’s Day – very amiss of us not to wish it sooner!
9:57 AM: Paul Jones Have to say all of Jonjo O’Neill horses looked in top nick in the paddock yesterday so will be interesting to see if same again
9:55 AM: bettrends.co.uk NON-RUNNER:
2:40 THE RSA STEEPLE CHASE (CLASS 1)
Horse number 5, Flight Leader (IRE) is a Non Runner (Self Cert (Lame)).
9:55 AM: Paul Jones Just arrived at course. Am told by somebody that would know with close connections to the yard they are seriously thinking of not running Tell Massini on Friday if the ground stays like it is
9:51 AM: bettrends.co.uk Ladbrokes offering new customers £30 worth of free bets for betting £10 today: promo code “CF35″
9:48 AM: bettrends.co.uk Tickets still available for today’s racing on the Gate.
9:36 AM: bettrends.co.uk Other early movers in the betting markets include:Synchronised cut to 6/1 with several layers for the opening National Hunt Chase.Master Minded solid 10/11 favourite in Queen Mother, but there are plenty of movers in the Coral Cup.
Hampshire Express (16s from 22/1), Gold Award (20s from 33/1) and Shadow Dancer (14/1 from 16s) with Stan James.
9:29 AM: bettrends.co.uk Totetrifecta beat Tricast in 4 out of 6 races at Cheltenham yesterday
9:26 AM: bettrends.co.uk Seemingly it’s raining in Weston Super Mare and rolling in towards Cheltenham!
9:25 AM: bettrends.co.uk Totewin beat Starting Price in 5 out of 6 races at Cheltenham yesterday.
9:25 AM: bettrends.co.uk Punchestowns is the one for early money; has been backed into as short as 2/1 from 11/4 for the RSA Chase
9:20 AM: bettrends.co.uk For those of you that don’t know what we’re talking about, here it is!
9:20 AM: bettrends.co.uk
9:18 AM: bettrends.co.uk And Paddy Power have upset a lot of people with that Hollywood-style sign!Paddy Power defends giant Cheltenham sign The planning department at Tewkesbury Borough Council is investigating whether it contravenes advertising rules but Paddy Power – the enigmatic Irishman behind the stunt – is confident he has all the permission he needs to keep the sign there for Race Week.
He said a team of planning consultants and lawyers had been working on the stunt and that the land had been rented properly so there really was no problem.

“It’s just a bloody big sign,” Mr Power told BBC Radio Gloucestershire’s Mark Cummings this morning.

“It does it’s job – it’s a monument to Cheltenham.”
9:15 AM: bettrends.co.uk Looks like the Welsh are a little upset!Welsh train services cut to serve Cheltenham FestivalMar 17 2010 by Keith Fairbank, Western Mail
TRAIN bosses have been accused of prioritising English sporting events over Welsh commuters after services were cut to cater for the Cheltenham Festival.

Eight trains a day are being affected by timetable changes this week amid claims that First Great Western is “bending over backwards” to please horse racing fans in England.
9:12 AM: bettrends.co.uk Boylesports are going FOUR places in the WEATHERBYS Champion Bumper.
9:05 AM: bettrends.co.uk Win a share of £5000 in Free Bets in Sky Bet’s Gold Cup Challenge – predict the 1-2-3 www.skybet.com
9:03 AM: bettrends.co.uk Sky Bet going 5 places on Coral Cup.
9:01 AM: Paul Jones How can a horse that had lost his previous 61 races possibly win? Goodness me
8:59 AM: Paul Jones Just re-read my comment for A New Story in the Guide. Funny! At least I am not like many columnists who can only write positive comments about horses
8:53 AM: Paul Jones According to an advert during The Morning Line 77 per cent of women feel sexier if their underarms look good! Sounds like stat for next year’s Guide.
8:42 AM: bettrends.co.uk Watering may take place on Cheltenham’s New Course after racing on Wednesday with clerk of the course Simon Claisse due to make a decision at some point during Wednesday afternoon.With no rain expected at the course until after racing on Thursday, Claisse is considering irrigating the course which stages the action for the final two days of the festival.
8:41 AM: bettrends.co.uk LATEST GOING REPORT: Good, good to soft in places
First race: 1.30
Other information: Dry overnight
8:34 AM: bettrends.co.uk Don’t forget – you can re-live all of the action from today, and each day of the Cheltenham Festival, for free over on www.sportinglife.com. Make sure you check it out.
7:59 AM: bettrends.co.uk NON-RUNNER: 1:30 National Hunt Chase – KILDONNAN (self cert (bad scope))
7:01 AM: bettrends.co.uk Paul will be here around 10am to bring you up to speed, but it may well be sooner as he was up and running just after 9am yesterday. So stay tuned!
6:58 AM: bettrends.co.uk Don’t forget, you can stay connected with us throughout the Festival on Twitter – www.twitter.com and on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com
6:58 AM: bettrends.co.uk LATEST GOING: Old course: Chase & Hurdle courses – GOOD (Good to soft in places; GoingStick: 7.0)
6:57 AM: bettrends.co.uk No non-runners to report. Weather set to be fair with some sunny intervals.
6:55 AM: bettrends.co.uk Let’s hope Paul is in similar form today as, despite the trends not over-performing, he managed to steer us the way of some nice priced winners with reports LIVE! from the paddock.
6:50 AM: bettrends.co.uk Good Morning. And welcome back to Day 2 of our coverage from the 2010 Cheltenham Festival.