Cheltenham Special - A Proposal

As you are doubtless all aware (because I keep banging on about it !), I’ve been really short of time for the past few months…

Part of my frustration with the situation, is because it wasn’t suppose to happen. I was supposed to have the winter months ‘free’, so that I could focus on the racing – but it just hasn’t worked out that way.

The main reason for this, is because I’ve been working on my bathroom during the winter months. I was meant to get it my bathroom done last summer but I ran out of time.

To compensate for that, I figured I could start work on it in September and just keep it ticking over during the winter months. The trouble with that idea, is that I only have around 10 free hours a week, so things tick over very slowly ! Plus, due to poor light and cold temperatures, 10 winter month hours are worth about 5 summer month hours…

This is all very interesting, you might be thinking – but why I am telling you..?

Well, the reason I’m telling you, is because this week, after a huge push, I’ve finally managed to get my bathroom into a state where it can be re-plastered (I’ve been back to bricks, joists and a lot of holes, for the past 3 months) – and the plasterers are coming in tomorrow.

Once the plasterers have finished their work (Tuesday evening), I will be able to have a little rest – and switch my attention back onto the racing for a couple of weeks.

Ofcourse, this is perfect timing for Cheltenham, so I’m about to re-absorb myself in the racing 2 weeks before the most important 4 days of the year.

Consequently, I’ve been thinking about how I should handle the tipping for Cheltenham.

My original plan was just to deal with each of the Cheltenham days, in the same way that I’ve dealt with all of the big race days during the past 4 months: so 2/3 tips and a write up.

However, now that I should have a bit more time available, I am now wondering whether I should maybe go a bit further…

I’m considering producing a ‘Cheltenham special’.

This would involve me producing a more detailed preview, covering all of the races on each of the 4 days.

My intention would be to issue this preview the evening before (probably late evening), though I would issue the tips in advance of this (as I do now).

Obviously it would take me a serious amount of time and effort on my behalf to do this (I’d have to work flat out on it for most of the evening), but I would be prepared to do that for the 4 evenings…

However, if I was to do it, I would make a small charge.

I’m thinking of £10 for the 4 days (so comparable with buying the Racing Post for the 4 days).

What I want to know, is how many of you would be prepared to pay £10 for a daily preview on each of the 4 days (along with tips, issued earlier).

I have created a poll opposite, to establish demand and would be grateful if anyone who would be prepared to pay, would indicate the fact using the poll.

I’ve got a number in my head, which I would consider would make it worth my while to put in the extra effort. If that number is reached, I’ll go with the ‘Special’: if it isn’t, I’ll stick with the standard blog postings – it’s up to you !!

I also think that this will give me a feel for whether it would be worth me trying to ramp things up a little next winter. I mentioned a month or so ago, about the prospect of me creating a low cost subscription service next winter. A Cheltenham Special, should I reckon, give me a feel for how many people might be interested in such a service.

Anyway, that’s my suggestion – and I’ll leave it to you all to decide if it is worthwhile.

I’ll keep the poll open until next Sunday evening and then make the decision on which way I go.

I don’t want people to feel under any pressure to go for the proposal – I’m easy either way.

If the decision is to produce the Special, I will post details on how it will work (payment details and when I will produce/issue) next Sunday evening.

TVB.