Cheltenham Festival trends & systems 2013

Only a day to go until Cheltenham. I hate to use the same old 'time flies' phrase but it really doesn't seem like a year has gone by already.

At this stage, we have all read and watched so much about the meeting and many will have their main bets picked out - but there's also the risk of getting 'analysis paralysis' from reading so much. That's a term from trading where you take in so much information that you end up getting paralysed by it and can't make a decision. I'm now working on my newspaper column for tomorrow so it's time to set aside all the articles and books and get down to making decisions.

For those that missed it the Indo's magazine on Saturday, here's a little Cheltenham system for those that are stuck for time and can't do much analysis but still want a few bets with decent chances:

Race is a non-handicap
Horse is at the top of the official ratings
Horse won last time out

Simple enough to follow with just three rules, it has produced 23 winners from 54 bets (in the last ten festivals) and shows a profit of €119.30 to a €10 stake. It was just about holding its head in profit but then had a cracking 2012. It will be interesting to see what 2013 throws up. Don't take it too seriously but it could be a quick fun way of finding a few bets if you feel a bit overwhelmed by it all:

Date	Horse	Odds	Position
12/03/2003	Stormez (FR)	1.75	2
12/03/2003	Keen Leader (IRE)	2.25	5
13/03/2003	La Landiere (FR)	1.25	1
13/03/2003	Best Mate (IRE)	1.63	1
17/03/2004	Martinstown (IRE)	3.5	14
18/03/2004	Best Mate (IRE)	0.73	1
16/03/2005	Missed That	3.5	1
18/03/2005	Sleeping Night (FR)	3.5	1
15/03/2006	Equus Maximus (IRE)	2.5	12
15/03/2006	Kauto Star (FR)	2	F
15/03/2006	Denman (IRE)	1.1	2
17/03/2006	Black Jack Ketchum (IRE)	1	1
13/03/2007	Detroit City (USA)	1.5	6
16/03/2007	Kauto Star (FR)	1.25	1
11/03/2008	Sizing Europe (IRE)	2	14
13/03/2008	Zaarito (IRE)	3	3
13/03/2008	Inglis Drever	1.38	1
13/03/2008	The Listener (IRE)	3.33	5
13/03/2008	Albertas Run (IRE)	4	1
13/03/2008	Ornais (FR)	4.5	5
14/03/2008	Kauto Star (FR)	0.91	2
14/03/2008	Franchoek (IRE)	1	2
10/03/2009	Quevega (FR)	2	1
10/03/2009	Binocular (FR)	1.5	3
11/03/2009	Master Minded (FR)	0.36	1
11/03/2009	Mikael DHaguenet (FR)	2.5	1
12/03/2009	Voy Por Ustedes (FR)	0.8	2
13/03/2009	Pride Of Dulcote (FR)	3	2
13/03/2009	Walkon (FR)	4	2
16/03/2010	Dunguib (IRE)	0.8	3
17/03/2010	Master Minded (FR)	0.8	4
17/03/2010	Punchestowns (FR)	2	5
18/03/2010	Big Bucks (FR)	0.83	1
19/03/2010	Kauto Star (FR)	0.73	F
19/03/2010	Tell Massini (IRE)	3.33	PU
15/03/2011	Quevega (FR)	0.83	1
15/03/2011	Hurricane Fly (IRE)	2.75	1
16/03/2011	Ericht (IRE)	5	6
16/03/2011	Master Minded (FR)	2	8
16/03/2011	Time For Rupert (IRE)	1.75	5
17/03/2011	Big Bucks (FR)	0.91	1
17/03/2011	Poquelin (FR)	2	4
17/03/2011	Wishfull Thinking	3.5	2
18/03/2011	Bobs Worth (IRE)	1.88	1
13/03/2012	Quevega (FR)	0.57	1
13/03/2012	Hurricane Fly (IRE)	0.67	3
13/03/2012	Sprinter Sacre (FR)	0.73	1
14/03/2012	Sizing Europe (IRE)	0.8	2
14/03/2012	Grands Crus (FR)	1.2	4
14/03/2012	Simonsig	2	1
14/03/2012	Teaforthree (IRE)	5	1
15/03/2012	Big Bucks (FR)	0.83	1
15/03/2012	Riverside Theatre	3.5	1
16/03/2012	Boston Bob (IRE)	1.2	2