The WGC American Express Championship golf bets. I got the distinct impression the waiter had just turned up with a plate of cats vomit and my only hope now was that I would win a small fortune. I did win it as well, but unfortunately so did 78 others and my successful penn meant that I only lost #400 on the bet The prospect of explaining that one away was too much so I took a deep breath and ran into the room cheering and doing a goal celebration and making noises about champagne and lobster being on the menu that night. I think I got away with it as well but must admit the lobster got stuck in my throat somewhat. I decided that total abstinence was the best policy on Wednesday which was our last day.

But a phone call on the way home on Thursday from someone who gets to know a thing or two put a seal on things. Apparently, Karl Burke Theatre Of Dreams was past the post in the spring nursery at Musselburgh and that I should be on. The dilemma was whether to place a bet an forget about it or drive ilk a madman so that I could get home in time to watci the race and place my ow. bet when I could see the market on Betfair I opted for the latter an if there is such a thing as white-knuckle ride in a Chrysler MPV this was it.

We arrived with three minutes to go before the and I rushed in to the house to boot up the computer to look at what was going on. The horse was trading 11-4 on the show and was touch bigger on Betfair but this was still good odds fc a certainty. I placed a decent bet seconds before the off an~ had just checked that the bet had been struck whet looked up and saw Joe Fanning go out of the sid~ door.and hit the deck. At this point you are supposed to feel a bit of concern for the stricken jockey but, even though Fanning has ridden winn~ fo at this point was the state of his health.