The problem with many horsey men is they think they must have a bet at the important race meetings. It doesn’t matter that the best bet of today might have been at Fakenham or Lingfield as long as they can say they had a bet in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Well done to Kauto Star and all who did a bet on him but my profit came at Lingfield today. Not nearly so magnificent as those racing at Cheltenhan but having a win is just as thrilling.

By far the most important is how the horse looks before the race. Does he look keen? Happy? Looking forward to racing? Is he healthy? How is his coat? Even a horse with the best form to date will not perform on an off day. Horses are people too.

I worked in the saddling enclosure of the Phoenix Park and did receive a lot of tips there, some of course negative like Dermot Weld’s head stable fella saying not to back his horse even though it was favourite.

But I got most enjoyment out of placing my bets on the Tote, back when computerization wasn’t around to give you instant odds, so I liked the idea of my 50p place bet going onto odds that wouldn’t be announced until the winner was alright.

I’ve never been gambling at the casinos here in KC, and I doubt I ever will. Horses aren’t numbers like on a roulette wheel; they sweat, they fall, and they seem like something you can cheer, unlike say, sixteen.

There’s been some shower of hoors kissing me all week. I have been given 3 tips for the first race alone.

Being in the hospitality industry, The Swearing Gentleman is often given racing tips instead of proper tips at Galway Race Week. He’s never won a penny on any of them.