The mere mention of Cheltenham makes Betting Spy go all nostalgic trying to remember great days out at the course.

My first visit saw Dawn Run carry most of my student grant money to victory way back in 1986.

And it’s been a roller coaster ride of winning, losing, drinking, celebrating and commiserating ever since.

The last train out of Cheltenham back to London is always a highlight but this year I’ll be watching from home.

The arrival of junior Betting Spy makes drunken days out where you spunk all your cash a sore point on the domestic front.

So it’s TV coverage only for me but I’ll be keeping a keen eye on the racing in between bashing out the very latest construction news.

The old romantic in me wants to see Cue Card win the Gold Cup – a race he looked in with a great shout of last year before falling three out.

And the eleven-year-old is my best bet of the week to learn the lessons of last time and see off the youngsters.

The current price is 3/1 but that might drift a bit nearer the day as rivals have their chances talked-up.

On the football front it’s a sparse week in the Premier League as the FA Cup reaches the quarter final stage.

I’m going for a double which has served us well in the past with Chelsea and West Ham picked to both win.

Chelsea look unstoppable at the moment and will have too much for Man United in the cup despite the Mourinho factor.

Meanwhile West Ham are in great form on the road and can come out on top against a Bournemouth side which hasn’t kept a clean sheet this year.

The double pays a shade over 4/1 which could help with the Cheltenham stake money.

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Running total of all bets to a £10 stake for 2016/17 season: £-30.00