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Cheltenham Odds: the Festival is different to anything else

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Races at the Festival are unlike races elsewhere because they are so competitive, and profitable punting requires recognition of this fact. What a week we have in store, says Jack Houghton

I recently had the misfortune of having to listen to a wannabee pro-punter drone on about how races at the Festival were no different to other races, and how he just couldn't understand what all the fuss was about.

The monologue smacked of misplaced affectation; he sounded like the teenager who discards their favourite childhood toy with an announcement that they're too mature for it all now.

The problem is that as well as sounding like a prat, this wannabee couldn't have got it more wrong. Because if there is one incontrovertible truth in life and one alone, it is this: the Cheltenham Festival is different to anything else.

Much of this difference is undoubtedly held in the emotional heart. The Festival (no prefix necessary), perhaps irrationally, towers over all other jump meetings in the same way the Oscars dwarf other attempts to recognise filmic talent. Just as actors and directors would happily forego a bigger pay day for the ego-massaging experience of an acceptance speech, so most jockeys, trainers and owners would happily forego a string of race victories elsewhere for just one chance to stand in Cheltenham's winners' enclosure. And similarly, lots of punters will happily endure months of overdraft-hammering investing, and perhaps even a losing Festival itself, for the thrill of backing just one winner at what Jamie Reid memorably described as racing's "hedonistic shebang".

But even if the Victor Matures amongst us want to eschew this unnecessary emotion, the Festival still needs to be approached differently. Races there are unlike races elsewhere because they are so competitive, and profitable punting requires recognition of this fact.

The vast majority of jump races in Britain are run at a relatively pedestrian early pace, with horses typically asked to make their efforts in the latter stages. Horses gaining their experience and reputations in these less competitive affairs can often be found out when asked to compete at championship pace from tape to finish line.

Much is written about the importance of previous Festival form when trying to find winners, with the reason given that you need to know a horse handles the testing course - especially that final hill - for it to be a solid proposition. But whereas the advice is sound - previous Festival performances have predictive relevance - it has less to do with how a horse handles the course, and much more to do with the fact they have a proven ability to compete in races run at a frenetic pace.

From when I worked out how to apply speed ratings and sectional timing data to eliminate those horses unproven at championship pace, the Festival has been an extremely profitable punting arena for me (another reason the Festival is so different to anything else...) and during this week I'll be previewing each day's racing in an attempt to continue the trend and help you find winners.

In the meantime, let's take a moment to anticipate what treats await. The traditional introductory roar for one of the most open Supreme Novice Hurdles in years. The return to Cheltenham of the talented Noland, who traded at 1000 (999-1) in-running before winning at the Festival in 2006. A triumvirate of talent in the shape of Master Minded, Voy Por Ustedes and Twist Magic in the Queen Mother. The best staying hurdler of recent years, Inglis Drever, looking to overcome his stable's woeful pre-Cheltenham form to record a third victory in the World Hurdle. And all this a mere amuse-gueule for the Gold Cup clash of Kauto Star and Denman, the most eagerly awaited race of a generation.

So take a few deep breaths, get some rest if you can, and I'll see you tomorrow.