Cheltenham makes for a long week: Here’s a few tips.

1. These days the punter needs stamina for Cheltenham. Douvan only has to get through one race, whereas punters must get through all 28 races! Energy, patience and proper planning will be needed.

2. Pick your races in advance and leave bets as late as possible until every piece of information available is known (especially the Going!). There’s a myth that good horses travel on any ground. They don’t.

3. Try not to plough into every race. You might eventually find a needle in a haystack, but could you identify a single strand of hay? Sometimes finding a winner in the handicap races is a bit like this. Hold your fire.

4. Set aside a stake pot for each day and don’t exceed it. The festival takes place over four days so there’s no point placing bets on Day One like a guy showing off in Vegas. Bet only what you can afford to lose.

5. There’s usually a feeling at Cheltenham that everyone around you is backing winners. They’re not. In fact, it’s after a race that you’ll see most people wearing a face like Clint Eastwood in the movie ‘Dirty Harry’. ‘Disappointment’ is the first emotion you need for Cheltenham. Everything after that is a bonus.

6. Having a large sherry (or two) over Cheltenham is all part of the fun. But beware as musing over the list of runners and riders with a few drinks can lead to confusion when it comes to finding winners. See number 4.

7. Ignore the know all in the betting shop who says he’s backed every winner. He hasn’t! The week is long enough and you don’t need that.

8. Shop around for specials. Betting shops want your business and they provide quirky incentives to entice you through the doors. You can get value for your money by shopping around, plus a little insurance if a horse finishes 2nd to the favourite.

9. If it’s your first time heading to Cheltenham, be sure to have a bite to eat before heading to the track. The food inside is not only expensive, but having to queue for a long time adds to the frustration. But do try the doughnut stand over by the shopping tents, they’re worth queuing for!

10. Finally, be wary of giving tips to people who normally don’t follow horse racing as you’ll never live it down when they lose. Hard as you try and explain, all that comes straight from the horse’s mouth is a lungful of snort, not tips.