GIVE ME A SHOUT TO JOLLY EM UP

Simon Nott shares his betting ring tales at Cheltenham and Windsor

- Simon Nott

The run-up to Christmas is always and enjoyable one if you work on course. Maybe not so much if you are a bookmaker trying to ply your trade, it's the period when punters with one eye on Christmas tend to rein it in rather than try and get the Yuletide exes. Of course, these days that's responsible and to be commended.

I'd recommend anyone who has never visited Cheltenham to may be dip their toe in at the Christmas meeting. The racing is still excellent while there is plenty of room to rattle around in and enjoy what the course has to offer. Of course, the bookmakers would rather the place was heaving, but they know it's not going to be so attend accordingly. Having said that, there was a good contingent in evidence doing their best to get the punters to bet with them and part with their readies. Once again, I'm going to add that as much as I love the betting ring, the number of pitches that have people on them with faces like slapped arses who appear that they'd rather be anywhere else is quite depressing. Back when I worked on the stool we used to treat it like a mini stage and have fun with the punters, call them in, have some banter and keep them coming back. If I was looking to have a bet, I'd hardly be likely to interrupt someone messaging on their phone when there was someone with a cheery smile calling me in next door. If anyone wants someone to gee things up a bit on their underperforming pitch, if I'm not writing a blog, hire me for the day and I'll have a go for you. Give me a shout!