Hello, I'm Moray Smith - a pro punter obsessed with the Cheltenham Festival who can't wait to start dreaming again

Hello. I’m Moray Smith, a tall, sparsely thatched bloke who lives a few miles from Newbury racecourse with my wife, daughters and dog. If you already know me, there’s a good chance you’ve spent some time in the bookmaking industry, and in that case you might also know me as Cheltenham Man. I would describe jump racing as my great passion in life, but my wife would disagree. She’d tell you it’s an obsession.

Having arrived on this planet a few days after Arkle toppled Mill House in what remains one of the greatest races to have graced the Cotswolds, and having battled the bookmakers since Sea Pigeon was winning Champion Hurdles, it’s safe to say I’ve witnessed many of the great moments our wonderful sport has served up. Jose Mourinho may claim to be ‘The Special One’, but Arkle needed only one word to define his greatness: Himself. You can keep your overpaid, pampered prima donnas who vie for our attention during the winter months; give me The New One over The Special One any day of the week.

Pro punter Moray Smith with his self-published book Cheltenham Man at his home in HighclereCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

I’ve always loved a bet, but it wasn’t until 2007 that I committed to the life of a full-time pro punter. Keeping a record of my bets, I quickly realised that ante-post betting on jump racing was my strength, especially the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National. When all my online accounts were either closed or heavily restricted, I ventured out to the shops, where I soon became known as Cheltenham Man by the local managers and trading teams.