The key to winning is getting back quickly for tea

If you agree with me that it's much more fun reading about a punter's losing day, then for once on this blog you best stop reading now (oh how lovely it was to write that sentence). Normal service will of course be resumed soon but Fontwell yesterday was almost as good as it gets.
My new theory with the Placepot - multiple 10p perms leaving out the obvious favourites - gave me a run for my money but met its demise in the 5th with Keppel Isle and Distant Sound failing to make the frame.
By then it did not matter though. The sun was out and the going had that mysterious term 'good' in the title. All set therefore for Fontwell specialist Venetian Lad. It was his weather, his going and his time of year. I'd watched him labour in the mud all winter, but had been convinced by the determination he had showed in coming second last time that once the sun was out he would do the business.
The only problem was getting the bet on. The queue for the face painting was lengthy,

giving a clue to the make up of the crowd. I'd spotted 9/1 available with one bookie on the end in the ring but 2 women (yes it's always women I'm afraid) were wanting 50p eachway bets on De Blacksmith (because one of them had a granddad who once was a smithy apparently) and couldn't understand why such a bet cost a £1. Inevitably by the time they had finished the 9's had been wiped off (electronically these days) and I had to settle for 8/1 with the 'best odds guaranteed' man. I normally avoid Goodwin Racing because of their annoying catch phrase 'you'll get it' (said in a sing-song voice), but with only 20 seconds to the off there was no choice.
Marc Goldstein, Venetian Lad's jockey, was pushing away for most of the last circuit but to my eye the horse seemed to be responding. Admittedly doubts were creeping in between the second and last fence, as Venetian Lad was still in third place, but as the Racing Post reported he 'stayed on gamely to lead final 100 yards.'
Going to winners enclosure to see one you've backed come in is always a good feeling. It was great to see Mrs Richards, Venetian Lad's trainer, give a Judy Murray style fist pump as she greeted her winner. I loved her comment afterwards in the post race interview to the race day announcer, Lee Mackenzie, that "he (Venetian Lad) likes it here because he can get back quickly for his tea."
Incidentally it struck me again just how good Mackenzie is on the loudspeaker at Fontwell. He might use the same product on his suspiciously black hair as Ronnie Wood, but he is knowledgeable, amusing and most importantly does not drone on as if 'he loves the sound of his own voice' as some others do - Plumpton please note.
Venetian Lad was the big one, but with victories for Colin Tizzard's Sartorial Elegance (presumably named after someone with dress sense like mine) and a promising third at 20/1 for Nick Gifford's The Mighty Don in the bumper it was the best day since the start of this blog.
With that new punting confidence I headed down to Ladbrokes this morning to back Lord of the Land for the Lincoln at 6/1. "Sorry Sir you can only have £25. The rest will have to be SP". Maybe the Magic Sign had heard of the Fontwell exploits!