CheltFest Guest Blog by the one.. the only FoxintheCots!

Being somewhat of a Twitter Novice, I am still rather surprised that my twitter drivel (or 'Twivel' as I like to call the bullshit that flows from my mouth) has been so widely received. So after much nagging from @horseyhottie and @nhtrainer, I am finally here attempting my first ever blog - Cheltenham Festival - what can I say? I LOVES it; the excitement, the build up, the outfit dilemmas (!) the parTAYs and of course meeting up with good mates to enjoy what is by far the best week of the year – even better than Christmas! Outfit planning started months ahead. For many punters choosing the beasts to back is top priority, however, me and the HorseyHottie ladies were deciding on tweeds, skirts and of course which muff to wear! @horseyhottie has started talking a good game now she is one of the Racing Welfare crew but we HH ladies know she put's more effort into her outfit than studying the form! Like I said planning started months in advance with trips to London for fittings at Katherine Hooker (always coinciding with a cheeky night out with the London ladies!). For me Cheltenham attire is about wrapping up warm, donning the tweed and a cracking pair of boots, HELLO, it’s not Ascot! Who wants to see girls huddling together to keep warm in summery dresses and strappy heels!

Unfortunately, I was still recovering from some killer superbug that knocked me sideways so this year’s festival was a little on the quieter side for me – or perhaps I’m just getting old! Nonetheless I was determined to go at least 3 days and made an executive decision that Wednesday would be my rest day – on the sofa with duvet and hot toddies on tap. Had to be on form for when the ladies arrived for the last two days.

The highlight of the week was seeing our friend @WTKJockey riding 'Time For Rupert' home after a cracking race and a great battle with Big Bucks in the World Hurdle. Up there with watching the Gold Cup, me and 'The Elf' (who is yet to learn of the wonders of Twitter – but I’m working on it) nearly peed our pants shouting and screaming for him. Amazing Will – well done! Next time I’ll bring some large pink and purple pompoms to help cheer you on! Wait I think The Elf has some big pompoms of her own already built in! ;-)

Had a random experience whilst walking on to the lawn to watch a race. Strutting my tweeded butt I suddenly heard a yell….. “FoxintheCots”….. Oh god I thought as my heart sank worried that I had said something to offend someone on that bloody app Twitter. But no, thankfully @jpfestival had recognised me – not sure how- maybe it was the big ginger fro?? This prompted a spontaneous Twitter ‘Meet and Greet’ aka 'TweetUp' on the Gold Cup day when @jpfestival, @horseyhottie, @FoxintheCots and @cbutterfill!! Unfortunately, @jpfestival luck did not rub off on us and our big gambling syndicate (£10 a head to join!) was way way down! However, the last race finally won us enough for a nice bottle of bubbles in the Arkle Bar. I’m sure Twitter went into overload and cries of "Tweet Tweet" were heard – did we see any racing at all!?

It was great watching the Gold Cup from a balcony of a friend’s box – down the way from the Royal box – (well we are practically royalty!) just fantastic!! A great view of the course and of course @paddypower’s PADDYWOOD sign just fab! What an exciting race, absolutely brilliant and well done to @jpfestival for backing the winner months in advance at 25/1 ,maybe I should take more notice of those tips than picking out tweeds!!!

Till next time,

FoxintheCots out..