Saturday 31st May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£837– 3 bets running)

Racing looks very tricky again.

Instead I'll head for Wimbledon. If I was still in Tooting I'd certainly be heading out for one of the best sporting nights of the year but instead I'll have to try to catch this race in between poor TV shows this evening! Ninja Jamie would be very close to favourite for the main event had he qualified. He should gain sime recompense here. There may be barking opportunities on the card – the supporting races are usually very uncompetitive.

8:45 Wimbledon £20 Ninja Jamie at Evens

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1088)

(Not much happened of note yesterday and a watching brief on the races today.)

1. Soderling beat Benneteau £120 at 1.19

2. Dementieva bt Govortsova £120 at 1.11

3. Zvonereva bt Wozniak £120 at 1.07

Friday 30th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£857– 2 bets running)

Poor last night at Sandown and I wouldn't have thought the form of either race will stand much scrutiny. Regime just out of the places – which could have recovered our stake – and it's always disheartening when you back Richard Hughes and need him to be strong in a finish!

A change today. I've been playing the TV show “I'd Do Anything” and frankly have a mess of a book. However, come final night I'm prepared to make it even worse by suggesting Samantha will be the first to leave. Jodie and Jessie are yet to be in the bottom two, whilst Samantha didn't even beat Rachel last week and the latter was very unpopular throughout. I wuite like the tricast Jodie/Jessie/Sam but will keep it simple as usual here.

£20 Sam to come third Evens.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1066)

(A good fightback yesterday with all the tennis bets landed, supplemented by a couple of horse races. Can't find anything today though so far.)

Thursday 29th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£877– 2 bets running)

Nice result yesterday. Sandown tonight. Sadly I have to go to the in-laws for dinner!

Allegretto has more to do here than when winning last year – but I still keep being drawn to him. I think I'll actually save on the fave in a race which looks like a match and could easily sit down below. As usual will keep it simpler here.

The big race looks more open. Lucarno will do well to give away the penalty over this trip; Happy Boy could be anything and Pipedreamer should get the pace he needs. There's a few at 20/1 who could conceivably step up as well. The one horse sure to be suited by all the conditions though is Regime. He's weak this morning but with a nice draw as well (granted a free passage) he looks a decent ew price.

7:15 Sandown Allegretto £10 win at 9/2

7:45 Sandown Regine £5ew at 12/1 + (quarter odds)

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £942)

(Up to date and it doesn't make great reading. A couple of horse races helped me but if we drew a graph of our performance it would be a continuous downhill line from the end of the first week. We could do with a good rest of week now).

1. Tennis Soderling beat Capdelle £120 at 1.13

2. Tennis Warwrinka beat Cilic £120 at 1.16

3. Tennis Gonzalez beat Andyar Abal £120 at 1.16

4. Tennis Stepanek beat Vanek £120 at 1.13

Weds 28th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£807– 2 bets running)

Let's give Great Leighs a chance today. In the big race Pinpoint looks like he'll struggle in a race not run to suit, and Secret World should be having a gentle comeback, and could be buzzy. Many Volumes carries a penalty. Muttajarred could get a soft lead here and I'd have him around the 5/2 mark personally. I haven't fully decided how to play the race. I could dutch both the front two should Many Volumes drift, or I may just back Muttajarred, hope he gets loose on the lead, and be prepared to trade in-running. As usual I'll keep it easy on here.

Muttajarred £20 win at 7/2

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank too many bets running to work it out!)

(A horse race that was hopeless and Germany made me look and feel a mug yesterday. We've already done 16 bets this week. Clearly I've fallen into the trap of looking on all shorties as opportunities and not thinking critically enough. I need to add some rules to my approach. No bets today – we still have a load of tennis matches pending – whilst I firm up my approach.

Here's three obvious rules.

1. Set a limit on daily bets – I'd say 5. Whilst we need to be flexible I clearly need to calm myself down and stop myself chasing every possibility.

2. Look to have good reasons for backing AND good reasons for laying – eg the tennis player backed should be a solid winner AND the opponent should have negatives.

3. Avoid all situations where there can be “tanking” - eg international friendlies(!), and various tennis matches.

Tuesday 27th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£807– 2 bets running)

Phil Taylor. Winners.

No bet today.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank too many bets running to work it out!)

(A very good day yesterday. Tennis winners backed up with two late plays in a claimer and seller at Leicester – not a sentence I ever thought I'd write! Three matches subject to rain delay which may be a problem today as well).

Todays bets

1. Tennis Benneteau beat Spadea £120 at 1.19

2. Tennis Calleri beat Fish £120 at 1.18

3. Tennis Schiavone beat Craybas £120 at 1.17

4. Tennis Mattek beat Bengle £120 at 1.25

5. Tennis Safina beat Bondarenko £120 at 1.1

Monday 26th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£818 – 1 bet running)

The Guineas were good to us.

Two bets today. First an obvious one – Phil Taylor to win Premier League darts. He looks better than ever after his dip in form; is the only one averaging over 100 and is way over; and is winning pretty much every tournament there is. I'm taking 2/5 on him in thebarking bets section below, so still being able to get 4/9 is a bonus.

The other I meant to put up yesterday and the odds may have contracted a little bit. With Henin gone and no obvious replacement, people are suggesting the women's tennis is wide open. Only up to a point I'd say. Four players look way ahead of the rest on ability/current form. You can dutch them all at 4/6.

£20 Phil Taylor win Premier League darts at 4/9

£20 Dutch Sharapova, Jankovic, S Williams and Ivanovic at 4/6

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1200 – 1 bet running)

(another day – another loser, and actually a small loss on the week. Frustrating. Overall our strike rate is down to 85%. Tennis 84% and only 98% returns. Racing is much better with 109% returns. I can only improve on the tennis bets but the racing bets may become more of the mainstay – especially if the French Open goes tits up)

Todays bets

1. Phil Taylor win darts £120 at 1.4

2. Tennis Gonzalez beat Cuevas £120 at 1.2

3. Tennis Granollers-Puyol beat Berra £120 at 1.19

4. Tennis Verdasco beat Ventura £120 at 1.15

5. Tennis Kirilenko beat Camerin £120 at 1.11

6. Tennis Radwanska beat Korrytseva £20 at 1.13

Sunday 25th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£800 – 1 bet running)

Irish 1000 Guineas today. Personally I thought the English version was a mess of a race. The lack of pace was one thing and the other was there looked to be a draw bias – perhaps a strip of faster ground under the rail. All in all it was an unsatisfactory race and I would be far from sure the form will work out. Throw in the way fillies improve and regress at this time of year; that the two O'Brien horses were given far from hard races; and that there's a few Irish fillies held back especially for this, and it's not hard to conclude the front two are a bit short. Slipperytoad tells me Nahoodh could also have stamina limitations – hardly tested in our Guineas.

I'd go 6/4 the front two and we can lay them at around 1.9

Lay Nahoodh and Saoirse Abu to lose £20 at around 1.9

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1212 – 1 bet running)

(I did three races during the day – all Ok, although one photo finish was a buttock clencher. Sadly I then went on to tackle the two hunter chases at Stratford and hit the buffers. Consecutive losses are pretty horrible in this fund. Sadly we are back where we were about three weeks ago, and that's a lot of standing still. The early rounds of the French Open look a big opportunity/risk. I haven't had time to look at the women's yet, but let's kick-off the men's today.)

Todays bets

1. Curragh 3:00 Duke of Marmalade £120 at 1.4

2. Tennis Nalbandian beat Berlocq £1210 at 1.08

3. Tennis Almagro beat Pashanski £120 at 1.09

4. Tennis Rochus beat Decourd £120 at 1.25

5. Tennis Acasuso beat Hrbaty £120 at 1.17

Saturday 24th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£770 – 1 bet running)

I was looking at the Irish 2000 Guineas with a view to including it as a banker bet. Jupiter Pluvius isn't ready judged solely on Ladbrokes' prices and whilst I'll be playing each way doubles with Stubbs Art (can't desert him entirely!) it does look a match.

However, the more I looked at it the more confused I was as to why Henrythenavigator wasn't favourite. New Approach had the run of the race in the Guineas but was still outgunned. I ended up thinking 13/8 was a very fair price.

£20 win Henrythenavigator 13/8

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1375 – 1 bet running)

(A couple of late plays on the horses added to the successful tennis bets puts us up for the week. When I have bets that are in play I usually account them as losers. For this fund though I'll account them as winners, so that I can bank/increase stakes) There are a number of possible races today – for example 2:15 Catterick and3:55 Beverley. But I can't find anything obvious right now.

Todays bets

None advised

Friday 23rd May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£790)

A very poor day's racing today – looks like it was designed by a bookmaker's stooge.

For the challenge lets look forward to the French Open tennis. A year goes by but not much has changed. Nadal is all but unbeatable on clay, Federer's class carries him through against all but Nadal, and only Djokovic looks to have a chance against them. Injuries and disasters look in the price and we can back the big two to be the finalists (as we have done for the last two years) at a fair price. I'll hedge around Djokovic once more prices are up but keep it simple on here.

Nadal/Federer finalists French Open £20 at 7/4 or better

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1240)

(I played a couple of extra races, and La Pantera Rosa falling when winning cost me my profits. That's two small field NH races that have done for us – they do have a disaster factor that could possibly discount them from this approach. A couple of French Open qualifiers today, and see above for thoughts on French Open which begs a bet here. Racing looks too difficult – the last at Haydock a possibility).

Todays bets

1. French Open winner – Dutch Nadal/Federer/Djokovic £120 at 1.12

2. French Open Schwank beat Bozoljiac £120 at 1.3

3. French Open Bellucci beat Zib £120 at 1.32

Thurs 22nd May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£770)

Even I felt a bit sorry for John Terry last night!

Sixties Icon is the puzzler today. He has the class and that was a cracking run last time after a wind op, just outgunned by a very smart horse. Blue Ksar has to give weight and simply isn't as good. Icon travels well and it's just a case of whether the distance will undo him. I'd trust Ryan to get the fractions right – either sit in off a good pace or make it yourself. He could well drift later and I haven't fully decided whether to back Sixties alone or dutch. The market will decide that for me later. For here I'll take the Evens (gauranteed)

Sixties Icon £20 win at Evens guaranteed.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1272)

(A third set tie break caught up with us yesterday but I added a couple of successful races. I'm going to skip the tennis for the rest of the week – I sense pre-French tanking. There's a few races – particularly at Wetherby – that could be playable later. )

Todays bets

1. Goodwood 2:50 Dutch Sixties Icon and Blue Ksar £120 at 1.25

Wedsnesday 21st May

Not sure what happened to yesterday's posting. It should be here. You didn't miss much!

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£746)

I run a fun betleague – 10 friends each with a small bank. This week's bet is the Champion's League final and every single one has bet on there being few goals or a draw tonight. Originally I was going to bet on Unders, but frankly that amount of groupthink has totally put me off – especially at 1.5

So instead I'm going to shamelessly follow Kevin Pullein's suggestion of backing few bookings – he makes a very good case for the bet.

£20 under 4.5 Bookings at 6/5 (or best odds against quote you can get).

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1285 – not accounting for two carried over tennis matches)

(Three third set tie breaks went my way yesterday. I did win one horse race and one dog race but lost another so another day of winners and standing still – which looks the way of this experiment)

Todays bets

1. Tennis Pannetta beat Cohen-Aloro £120 at 1.2

2. Tennis Pironkova beat Chevgkova £120 at 1.08

3. Tennis Tsonga beat Ouahab £120 at 1.13

4. 5:20 Kelso – Dutch front two £120 at 1.2

Monday 19th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£746)

Sam Thomas – words fail me. What a ridiculous and painful end to the week. I feel like Jonah sometimes.

No bet today.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1231)

(Our last bet of the week -Sam Thomas – blew our profits for the week. That's two weeks of just breaking even – and that at a 85% strike rate. I remain encouraged though. No change in approach this week)

Todays bets

1. Tennis Vassallo beat Ouahab £120 at 1.23

2. Tennis Hernandez beat Dancevic £120 at 1.25

3. Tennis Davydenko beat Eitzinger £120 at 1.08

4. Tennis Ancic beat Ginepri £120 at 1.13

5. Racing 2:40 Muss Dutch Addawaiyta/Aleatrics/Talon and Bourse £120 at 1.3ish

Saturday 18th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£766)

Much better on the football front – though penalties aren't for the faint hearted and I laid some of my potential profits off! I need to devise an algorithm for insurance/hedging purposes – it's no good hedging the winners (Rochdale) and not the losers (Lang Shining) using just this week as an example.

Nothing much doing today, so I'll steal a barking bet. The racing barking bets are 24/26 since inception so let's hope I haven't jinxed that here!

2:50 Fakenham

Dutch Oumeyade and Secret Glen £20 at 1.25ish

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1301)

(Quite tempted not to play and ensure profit on week, but will stick with it)

Todays bets

1. 2:50 Fakenham – as above £120 at 1.25

2. 2:00 Market Rasen – dutch front three in market £120 at 1.4

Saturday 17th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£717)

The football bets have taken one hell of a beating the last few weeks. Disaster considering they've been carrying the fund all season.

Even so, I'll skip Newbury (Astronomer Royal looks a big price, but no pace in the race at all and anything could happen) for here and stick with the FA Cup final. Portsmouth are a big price to be honest, but that's undoubtedly based on their inability to score, especially without Defoe. That leans me towards Unders as the bet, with finals historically much lower-scoring than normal matches.

Rochdale are still pitching for us today – we bet them to qualify.

FA Cup £20 Under 2.5 goals at 4/6

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1301)

(Another good day yesterday – and shame I didn't make Fat Boy the challenge bet – into profit on the week.)

Todays bets

Can't find any so far. Saturdays look to be the quietest day for these bets, which is interesting should this turn out to be a long-term project – and the initial signs are encouraging.

Friday 16th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£737)

Lang Shining traded at 1.01 yesterday. Any sensible punter will have made money despite being gubbed on the line. Not me obviously!

Two of my Derby ante post vouchers disappeared in smoke as well, but Tartan Bearer did OK, and the 14/1 he drifted to before the off was far too big to ignore, despite already being on at 9s.

York not overly exciting today. I'm a Rahyani fan and could have done without Pricewise shaving a few points off his price this morning. Fat Boy also appeals and could have been bet of the day but Chapple Hyam's form has to be a worry.

So football it is. Southend improved a good deal on my ratings over the last 15 games or so of last season, and Doncaster shouldn't be so short today. I'd have Southend at more like 4/5 with the draw on their side.

Southend £20 at 1.9 +0.5

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1237)

(Good day yesterday – back where we started for the week!)

Todays bets

1. German Tennis Federer beat Verdasco £120 at 1.14

2. German Tennis Djokovic beat Montanes £120 at 1.11

3. German Tennis Nadal beat Moya £120 at 1.10

4. Newbury 2:20 Dutch Fat Boy/Tajdeef £120 at 1.2

Thursday 15th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£757)

Well at least we broke the losing run.

York today. Bertoliver could well repeat Chester form and seems fairly priced to do so. Sprint handicaps are less and less my bag though. My derby antepost horses all clash today. Have to say I think Twice Over is short in what looks a pretty competitive event. For the challenge bet you can back Lang Shining at the same price as Twice Over. One has a number of credible opponents, the other just has to handle the ground, with all his rivals either out of form or unsuited by conditions.

I will hang fire (a) in case the course is a road, and (b) in case the layers get their boots on.

York 3:10

Lang Shining £20 win at better than 4/6

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1129)

(Had a loser each day so far this week. Which is absolutely no good for this game)

Todays bets

1. Italian Tennis Sharapva beat Wozniacki £120 at 1.22

2. 2:00 Perth Dutch Cardinal Spirit/Carrick Dhu £120 at 1.25

3. 2:10 York Dutch Promising Lead/Flying Clarets £120 at 1.19

4. 2:50 Sals Dutch Naughty Thought/Uig £120 at 1.18

Weds 14th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£711)

The article in the Racing Post yesterday has got me back on the horse today. Thanks to them for that. York throws up a few chances but is typically competitive. I can see myself playing Tastahil and King Charles in the opener (I priced at 6/4 the two); Dar Re Mi and Lush Lashes in the Musidora (evens the two), and Utmost Respect and Wi Dud in the sprint (4/1 the two). Couldn't recommend any of them as the daily challenge bet though.

So off to the UEFA Cup final where I'll bet Rangers luck finally runs out. I'll probably hedge 0-0, but will keep it simple on here.

Zenit St Petersberg £20 win at 13/10

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1185)

(I ditched one of the dog races yesterday when down to 5, and added a Brighton race. Still lost on day though, so down on week again.)

Todays bets

1. Hamburg tennis – Federer beat Niemenen £120 at 1.09

2. Italian tennis – Szavay beat Errani £120 at 1.2

3. Italian tennis – Azarenka beat Niculescu £120 at 1.11

4. Italian tennis – Kuznetsova beat Gorvotsova £120 at 1.1

Tuesday 13th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£711)

10 non winning bets in a row (a couple got returns). I think I'll shut up shop on here for a while and concentrate on Barking Bets. I'll continue with my own fund.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1239)

Todays bets

1. Hamburg tennis – Ferrer Beat Minar £120 at 1.15

2. 7:10 NA Poquelin £120 at 1.3

3. 8:50 Peterborough dogs – dutch Tps 1 and 6 £120 at 1.4ish

4. 9:25 Peterborough dogs – dutch Tps 2 and 3 £120 at 1.4ish

Monday 12th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£751)

Really hit the buffers again. Think I'll go for a long walk with wife in Shropshire sun and contemplate what my new career will be come next April.

Should be back in time to lose some more at Windsor of all places. I've nothing against Metropolitan Man and he ran really well last time but he looks too short for a horse with his winning record, especially at Windsor. We can dutch banknote and likely front runner Dunelight at 5/4 or better – I'd be more like Evens.

6:55 Windsor

Dutch Banknote and Dunelight £20 at 5/4+

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1245)

Did make tiny profit on week in the end. 89% strike rate so far. Will stick to £120 this week.

Todays bets

1. Hamburg Tennis Canas beat Llodra £120 at 1.2

2. Hamburg Tennis Tipsarevic beat Beck £120 at 1.22

3. Hamburg Tennis Murray beat Tursonov £120 at 1.26

4. Italian Tennis Radwanska beat Amammuradora £120 at 1.24

5. Italian Tennis Szavay beat Yan £120 at 1.11

6. Italian Tennis Zvonereva beat Sugiyama £120 at 1.11

Sunday 11th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£759)

Rochdale gubbed Darlington 1-2 yesterday! That late goal leaves them with a lot to do. I'll count them as a loser for now.

These Premiership prices are enough to make a “value” punter spontaneously combust. I really don't know what to make of it all. If the fund was flying high I'd probably be racing gung ho into 4 or 5 bets, but as the last couple of weeks have been terrible, and especially these sort of football bets, I'm running a bit scared. Never a good sign.

I have my Fulham shirt on, and would normally hedge on them losing. However, my mind keeps on saying to me. “Al Fayed meet 'Arry; 'Arry meet AL Fayed”. Read into that what you will.

Wigan are a remarkable 1.75 getting a two goal start. Reading are also a ridiculous price even against Derby.

But Blackburn seem the silliest the price of all. I'll probably fashion something around the rest but the challenge fund (which is due some winnings from a bet on Chelsea/Man Utd back at the start of the season when I was including long term bets in this fund – since ditched) but will stick with Blackburn.

Blackburn £5 win at 11/4

Blackburn £20 at 1.75 +0.5

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1158)

Had got into profit for the week before a late bet on the Derby Trial bit me on the arse.

Todays bets

1. 2:00 Uttox – Dutch Haddaf/Backstage/Alflamour £120 at 1.16

2. 2:30 Uttox – Dutch Spare cash/Fourty Acers £120 at 1.15

Saturday 10th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£779)

Racing tricky. Classic Punch looks a shade long if you forgive him towards the end of the season and he doesn't get caught up in a speed duel with Tungsten Strike. Campanologist looked a decent horse first time out , and if you fancy a couple of long shots in the big handicap you could do worse than Orchard Supreme and Middlemarch. I guess I'll play them all and go for the fortune on the multiples!

Football takes the money though. Rochdale again I'm afraid! The big prices have gone but 4/5 for them to qualify for the final against a fading Darlington is still fair.

Rochdale to qualify for final £20 at 4/5

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1207)

Todays bets

1. Rugby Wasps beat Leeds £120 at 1.06

2. 1:10 Ascot Dutch Lions Sands/Spanish Moon and Classic Punch £120 at 1.52

Thursday 8th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£799)

I'm off for a jolly in London today so no posting tomorrow.

Maraahel goes for a four timer at Chester today but unlike in previous years, I'll be takig him on today. He gets quirkier with every run and there must be a chance Championship Point takes him on for the lead. Multidimensional is the obvious one, but Stotsfold also has his perfect conditions (small field, fast ground, 10f) and has had a start this time, unlike last year when he was a very close second. I'd price them at 60% dutched and we can get a shade better than 4/5. I may shove a bit more Stotsfold's way at the prices but we'll keep it simple on here.

£20 Multidimensional and Stotsfold dutched at 4/5+.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1086)

Not going well this week, Nadal letting us down yesterday.

Todays bets

1. Rome Tennis Djokovic beat Andreev £120 at 1.21

2. German Tennis Dementieva beat Dushevina £120 at 1.13

3. Goodwood 2:30 Dutch front three £120 at 1.08

4. Wetherby 6:00 Dutch front two £120 at 1.24

Tuesday 7th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£819)

A short sharp lesson yesterday and the tennis will stay where it belongs below for the foreseeable future!

The Chester Cup looks like it will be really messy today, with what little pace there is mainly drawn high. If they come over early and slow it down...hard luck stories will abound, and Spencer will do well to be Jamie rather than Frank on the favourite. All mine are uncomplicated, not hopelessly drawn and genuine. Missoula has course form and although has to step up in class, looks slightly overpriced. Double Banded looks very solidly priced ( I had him in at 4s), and Shipmaster is in my stable at the moment after winning last week, and could sneak a place.

Missoula £5ew at 16/1

Shipmaster £1win at 25/1, £4 place at 4/1

Double Banded £5 win at 9/2

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1161)

Todays bets

1. Rome Tennis nadal beat Ferrero £120 at 1.05

2. German Tennis Radwanska beat Bachmann £120 at 1.08

3. German Tennis Kuznetsova beat Castano £120 at 1.06

4. Chester 2:15 Dutch Shes a Shaw Thing/Doncaster Rovers £120 at 1.21

Tuesday 6th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£826)

Tennis Mathieu beat Karlovic £10 at 1/3

Tennis Bolelli beat Patience £10 at 1/3

(Not sure I should be duplicating barking bets here - we'll see. At least I can better than betfair odds here.)

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1204)

5 out of 5 yesterday. On here anyway. I added a successful football play on Arsenal ladies and a race at Kempton. Sadly I then had a loser at Warwick and ended up exactly level on the day! A few horse races worth looking at further but just tennis bets so far.

Todays bets

1. Rome Tennis Mathiew beat Karlovic £120 at 1.30

2. Rome Tennise Bolelli beat Patience £120 at 1.32

3. german tennis Azarenko beat Dellacqua £120 at 1.16

4. German Tennis Dementieva beat Bondarenko £120 at 1.16

Monday 5th March

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£826)

No bet today – enjoy the bank holiday.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £200/Current bank £1204)

Review of Week 1: (Actual bets)

32/36 bets

£3600 out

£4004 In

111% returns

Horses 8/8 (although the change of going and inability to get price saved me once)

In fact only losses incurred on tennis which still returned 100%

Banked £200

New stake £120

A much much better start than I expected though I did dodge a couple of bullets. Interesting. If as I suspect the tennis proves its downfall there are definite football/racing/other applications.

Todays bets

1. Rome Tennis Canas beat Naso £120 at 1.08

2. Rome tennis Almagro beat Cipolla £120 at 1.08

3. German tennis Safina beat Georges £120 at 1.16

4. German tennis Radwanska beat Keber £120 at 1.16

5. German tennis Szavay beat Sequera £120 at 1.15

Sunday 4th May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£832)

Stubbs Art – what a treat – he even looked like the winner for a second (and lost a plate). I have a nice place double running up on him and Savethisdanceforme – which I didn't bother to put up here at the prices! We still have a few bets in running on the 1000 Guineas from yesterday.

Shame about Rochdale. In fact after yesterday's results I'm going to steer clear of the Championship games today and concentrate on Newmarket instead.

2:40 Nmkt Dutch Getaway/Sixties Icon/Galactic Star £10 at 1.4ish (anything over 1.35)

3:55 Nmkt Dutch Zidane/Enticing £5 at 13/8

Sixties Icon/Muthabara/Enticing 3 x £1.25 doubles £1.25 treble

“Barking Bets” (my bank £1373)

1. Nmkt 2:40 Dutch Getaway/Sixties Icon/Galactic Star £100 at 1.38

2. Tennis Prague Zvonereva bt Azarenko £100 at 1.32

3. Tennis Rome Monfils bt Patience £100 at 1.22

4. Tennis Rome Lapentti bt Vasselin £100 at 1.22

Saturday 3rd April

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£809.02)

My antepost guineas books are hopeless. I'm left throwing darts to be honest. I like New Approach but can find plenty of holes in the rest at the front of the market. If he blows out there could be a big upset – hard to find the horse though.

£5 double New Approach and natagora at 10/1+

£2.50 double Ryan Moore's mounts

£1.25 ew Stubbs Art at 200/1+

£1 win Plan at 40/1+

£1 win Dream eater at 100/1+

£1 win Alfaatha at 90/1+

£2.50 win Savethisdancefor me at 12/1

£2.50 win Kitty Matcham at 12/1

£1 fc Natagora bt Savethisdanceforme

£1 fc Natagora bt Kitty Matcham

“Barking Bets” (my bank £1247)

1. Tennis Dulko bt Rezai £100 at 1.43

2. Tennis Medina Garrigues bt Arn £100 at 1.25

3. Nmkt 4:35 Dutch Kandahar Run and Ridge Dancer at 1.12

4. Blackburn bt Derby £100 at 1.28

5. Rugby Bath bt Saracens £100 at 1.18

Friday 2nd May

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£809.02)

Let's go for a football bet tomorrow, as I'm bound to be putting up horses/guineas bets for Saturday. I like a few home teams at much longer odds than my ratings would have them, but the one I've plumped for in the end is Rochdale against Shrewsbury – who are woeful. End of season game I know, but 4/5 looks much bigger than it should be.

£20 win Rochdale at 4/5

“Barking Bets” (my bank £1139)

1. Tennis Dulko beat Cristea £100 at 1.48

2. Tennis Medina Garrigues beat Savchuk £100 at 1.32

3. Lingfield 2:40 Dutch Masaalen/Pride of India £100 at 1.30

Thursday 1st May

“Daily Challenge Bet”

No bet today. I have got involved in Mayorla elections – but the price continues to move away from me. Only someone very brave or foolish would be keeping the faith. It does remind me of the Kinnock election though, where the gap between saying something to a pollster and carrying it through in the cold light of the voting booth held sway – surely enough people are going to have a reality check before they get rid of a flawed but competent politician who's done a pretty good job, and replace him with a flawed and incompetent one with only a track record of making a fool of himself.

No bet today.

Review so far:

Fund stands at £810 (disappointing month)

Football 70 bets/42 wins 139% returns

Racing 134 bets/62 wins 109% returns

Overall returns 108% (v disappointing to be below 10%).

“Barking Bets”

The tennis bets need refining after yesterday's losses. At least I escaped the racing setback and remain in Ok shape as long as the carried over tennis match goes my way. It's a strange feeling winning so many events but not winning anything overall. The margins are hopelessly tight – especially not being able to take any early out of line bookies odds.

1. Darts – Taylor beat Manley £100 at 1.15

2. Tennis – prague – Srebotnik beat Czink £100 at 1.22

3. Tennis – Fes – Kleybonova beat Radionova £100 at 1.19

4. Hereford 2:40 – Dutch Oh Crick and City Affair at 1.35