Cleeve Hill

Biddlecombe turns the air blue

Channel Four's Cheltenham Festival preview programme went out after midnight, which was no surprise considering the x-rated content. There was the very rare sight of a television presenter, Alastair Down, puffing on a cigarette and the words 'wanker' and 'prick' broadcast on the airwaves. The expletives were courtesy of Terry Biddlecombe, husband of Gold Cup favourite Best Mate's trainer Henrietta Knight. The former jockey (pictured left with winning rider Jim Culloty) was describing an acquaintance of his wife's who was planning a visit to the Festival this year. 'He won't be staying here,' were Biddlecombe's final words on the person whose name we are not at liberty to reveal but who is one of the most famous faces in National Hunt history.

Best test

Best Mate is a great Gold Cup winner but his achievements so far still pale next to the legendary Arkle who was so much better than his contemporaries that racing's rules were altered to give them a chance. Arkle ran regularly in handicaps - he carried 35lb more than Stalbridge Colonist who beat him half a length in the 1966 Hennessy Gold Cup - and the winner went on to run a close second in the following year's Cheltenham Gold Cup. Our current jumping hero will not be raced more than twice or three times next term, yet at the start of this season Biddlecombe said the horse would not be wrapped in cotton wool if he won a second Gold Cup. Comments after Thursday's triumph indicated a change of heart. That may be understandable but it is a great shame for those who want to see their heroes and have them tested.

Arkle fans fight back

Ivor Herbert's updated book on Arkle, first published in 1966, was launched last week (Aurum Press, £7.99) while anoraks of 'Himself' are eagerly awaiting the fruits of racing journalist Sean Magee's research for his planned tome on the legendary triple Gold Cup winner.

Punters enjoy perfect day three times

Bilko's perfect day, one particularly memorable episode in the Sgt Bilko TV series, is about a day when the Phil Silvers character cannot do anything wrong, including backing any losing horses. This week many backers had the same experience and the bookies suffered - to the tune of £20million according to one industry insider - which compares to the estimated £40m lost when Frankie Dettori rode all seven winners at the Ascot Festival meeting in 1996. Even our Paddy Power competition winner, Mike Brookes of South Croydon, got in on the act, netting £1,080 from a £50 free bet on every race with the innovative bookies.

Weatherman's bright forecasts

Cheltenham's official weather man John Kettley played a blinder and made the serious punters' task of second guessing the likely going so much easier than using the more generalised predictions forthcoming from the Met Office who made more blunders this week. The good news is that Kettley has been signed up by Newmarket too which will be a great help to punters come the Craven, Guineas and July fixtures.

Attheraces down for business

Our revelation here that the Atthraces TV station is going seriously downmarket in a bid to boost flagging betting revenues was given added impetus this week with talk at Cheltenham of a search for a PR and marketing experts to carry out the task.

What's In A Name

BEEF OR SALMON (part 2). The Irish horse's fall at the third fence in the Gold Cup ensured trainer Michael Hourigan would not be revealing the name of the hotel he frequents which offers that particular choice on its menu. Hourigan said he would announce the hotel if his charge won the race. However, informed sources suggest that the Woodlands Hotel in Co Limerick is the mystery establishment in question.