Cheltenham Week

Hi Lemon25,

90% of my betting was on horses. I used to go to Cheltenham a lot. Even when I was betting I felt the three days was about enough. When they increased the number of races it seemed to become "diluted" a bit. The way I feel at the moment I don't feel as though I'm missing that much. Having said that I will avoid the TV and not look at newspapers etc for fear of "pangs". It would be so easy to get swept away on a wave of euphoria. In the past I've gone a few years without betting so I've managed to abstain from Cheltenham betting before.

I do agree with you about the build up. It seems to border on insanity.

Overall now I don't feel as though I will ever bet again. There's been a lot of highs but the lows are like hell. They knock the stuffing out of me.

Cheers.

I used to love cheltenham and me and friends took days off work to sit in the pub and watch it.

I have no urges to gamble at this time so i'm not that bothered about it this yr however i had decided to watch the meeting if i was sitting around the house as i did enjoy the build up and the excitement and the sport.

Probably in much the same way as i gambled on football matches which i dont do anymore but i watch the games for the competive sporting events that they are.

It turns out i'm heading to amsterdam next week so i wont be watching it anyway.

I will say though that in my early stages of recovery i dont think i would have been able to abstain from gambling on cheltenham and i suggest you remain very wary.

Stay strong

For me I have to totally avoid Cheltenham as that one first bet isn't an option as it would set me back on the path to self destruction. Its not an entertainment sport to be enjoyed, its purely there to be gambled on, so I see no point in watching it. I will work hard this week to not read newspapers or even glance at them in a shop. I will also not listen to talk sport and avoid sky sports news. I certainly won't be flicking onto channel 4! Lads in work will talk about it, I will try to avoid them or tell them I'm not interested. Its going to be a tough week, but I'm certain I will get through it, I'm enjoying recovery too much!

Hi Bornagain,

I'm the same it has to be full scale news blackout for me. I was just thinking I don't even want to find out what won the Gold Cup or Champion Hurdle. Knowledge can be a dangerous thing !

It's a bit like a poisoned chalice for me. I don't even want a "sip".

Keep the blockades up everyone.

Bye for now.

It's the only racing I watch these days. I'm 14 months bet free and I don't feel that watching the festival threatens my recovery. Apart from those that have been around for a few years e.g Hurricane Fly I haven't heard of most of the horses which is great, shows me how out of touch I've become with the sport. I just enjoy it for the sport of it now and as soon as the festivals over I'll go back to having no interest whatsoever in the whole game.

Hi NH L&YR 1878,

I'm only 50 days bet free and still happy not to watch it !

I'm feel that I'm losing touch with the sport now. I was racing mad at one time. I feel happier just consolidating what little money I have now. No inclination to bet at all.

Congatulations on 14 months. Must be wonderful.

Bye.

Hav'nt really watched the horse racing for 6 months, watched a few races at cheltenham, I have no urge to bet whatsoever, but i did feel a bit happy when the odds on fave annie power fell at the last fence, as i definitely would have had a few quid on it, on the other hand I would have betted big on two other favourites faugheen and vautour, who both won and I did feel slightly gutted when both won.