CHELTENHAM

FESTIVAL

2009

****

Wednesday's success was very short lived, as yesterday we drew a blank. The 'best bet' Poker De Sivola failed to reach the frame, despite being backed like defeat was out of the question. It was the same story with our 'other bets', none of them were there at the end of their races and all in all it was a very disappointing day. It is never easy to find winners at Cheltenham, but yesterday was exceptionally bad. Today is the final day of the meeting and features the biggest race of the whole Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Today's 'best bet' is Denman in the Gold Cup, one of five runners in the race trained by Paul Nicholls. Denman, successful in the race a year ago, has had only one run this season, when beaten 23 lengths by one of today's rivals Madison Du Berlais. That race was on the 7th February this year and was Denman's first race since his Gold Cup victory last year, a lay-off of almost eleven months. If back to his best Denman would be clear favourite to win again and land the double. Following his defeat last time out, his form, and fitness, has to be taken on trust, but he is the top rated horse in the race with an official rating of 182.

Other Bets

1.30 Zaynar

2.05 Sesenta

2.40 Pride Of Dulcote

4.00 Amicelli

4.40 Oscatello

5.15 My Petra

Profit/Loss -3.75 Points

Two Little Pals

Dunblane And The Snowdrop Campaign

On this day in 1996, Thomas Hamilton, a lone gunman, walked into the local school in Dunblane, Scotland, armed with an array of hand-guns. In a three minute killing spree sixteen children, aged five and six, were shot dead together with their teacher. Hamilton, a local man, aged 43, then turned a gun on himself and took his own life. The horrific attack began shortly after 9.30 a.m. as the Year One pupils were beginning an exercise class in the gym with their teacher, Gwen Mayor. A message of sympathy was sent by the Queen to the people of Dunblane.

The Snowdrop Campaign

In the aftermath of the tragedy a campaign, led by Mrs Ann Pearson, was set up to abolish the ownership of hand-guns. It became known as 'The Snowdrop Campaign' , so called because March is snowdrop time in Scotland. As a result the Conservative government, led by John Major, proposed changes to the laws governing these weapons. Eventually, the Firearms (amendment) Act of February 1997 was passed, banning the purchase, selling, and ownership of hand-guns. Only pistols able to fire .22 smaller cartridges were exempt. With a change of government in 1977 came new legislation to declare all hand-guns illegal, this measure became law in November 1977.

Brainteaser

Today's brainteaser is made up of 10 'Crazy Trivia' questions. Have a go at these and see how many you can answer!

01 Look at these numbers and then tell the time: 5 4 3 2 1
02 If my brother is WARNED, what is his name?
03 If a clock strikes six in 5 seconds, how long does it take to strike twelve?
04 There are eight apples in a bag and eight children who each want an apple. Is
it possible to give an apple to each child and still end up with one in the bag?
05 Here are three clues to three words which each contain the same three letters. What are the letters and the words they make? a) A part of the body. (b) A farm animal. (c) To spoil.
06 If tomorrow's today is Saturday, what is the day after tomorrow's yesterday?
07 Put a colour in front of these groups of letters to form words: UCE, UNDANT, DEN, DISH.
08 Why are clocks shy?
09 Which type of cattle can you DEHORN?
10 What is pointed in one direction and headed in another?

Crazy questions. Can you come up with 10 crazy correct answers?