York Races. John Smiths Cup 10th July 1999

Alan puts a tenner on Siege which lost by half a length to Achilles in the big race - the 40th John Smiths Cup

40th year of John Smiths Cup. A sizzling summers day. Record crowds

'A Touch of Frost' - winner of the 3rd race at 5/1. £5 on the nose got Stan out of trouble.

Studying form - Sam, Philby, Mist and Alan

Another winner

Stan and Alan clean up in the 4th race when Rainbow Ways romps home at 4/1

John McCririck doesn't appear to rate Stan's chances of winning!

William Haig presents the John Smiths Cup to the owner of Achilles

Alan and Tipper crash out after boozing and betting all afternoon

Back at the Kings Head after stopping at Thirsk to get rid of our thirst.

Kingsclere romps home in the second race.

Winners enclosure.

£24 to get in the main stand.

Tipper thinks he is seeing double and Graham can't believe his eyes either.

Philby, Alan, Tipper and Dick compare form. Another great day out from Ravenstonedale, probably the best parish in the world.

The Prize Guys are off to sort the bookies out.

Funniest moment of the day. Tipper and Philby scramble to retrieve their torn-up betting slips pending a stewards enquiry in the big race. With £20 and £10 on Siege at 6/1, second by only half a length to Achilles, they stood to clean up if the objection was sustained. Unfortunately the objection was over-ruled and and we all had a laugh while Philby went off to change his pants.