No way can I harbour a grudge over super Mate

There comes a time when every punter shows his true colours. And for me that time came at about 3.23 yesterday afternoon.

Best Mate was on the cusp of making history by winning a third Gold Cup, but tucked away at home were two ante-post vouchers bearing the name of Harbour Pilot to the tune of £150 each-way at 33-1.

So whether to cheer for history in the making or hard earned cash in the pocket as the leaders thundered down to the final fence? Apologies to the purists, but it was no contest, really.

A scream of "come on Harbour" gathered in my throat and died almost as quickly as Best Mate and Jim Culloty dug deeper than they have ever had to dig before.

Twenty four hours on, the pain of missing out on five grand has been replaced by the knowledge that yesterday's race provided one of those precious "I was there" moments in sport.

And, despite the fact that bookmakers needed extra staff to cart their winnings home, this was a Festival which fully lived up to the massive hype which preceded it.

Hardy Eustace's Champion Hurdle win came just months after the death of his former jockey Kieran Kelly and provided a cruel reminder of the savage nature of the jump jockey's trade.