Sunday 31st August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£994– 5 bets inplay – accounted)

The football looks difficult today and there's no margin in any of my ratings. If anything Liverpool come out as a bet, but given I've been opposing them away for years now, I can't quite work that one out. I'll sit out.

Some decent racing abroad though. These three races all have legitimate faves, but with niggling doubts and nothing more than fair prices. I'll split bets across all three but with a degree of foreboding and knowledge that getting one winner is a loss on the day. I would have preferred a football bet and just to have done a modest treble on these three just in case, but here goes.

3:20 Deauville Getaway is one of my horses. He looked like he was going to be a world beater when picking off Sixties Icon, and ran OK at Epsom where the camber did for him. Not so good last time though, and more worryingly this is his Arc prep so a tight finish won't see Frankie over exerting himself. Doctor Dino's penalty is no good for him, so it's a question of whether a couple of lurkers step up to make a race of it.

4:15 Curragh Again's owners look to have told O'Brien not to bother here which seems as good a line in as any. Shima would have to have stamina worries – particularly if it gets testing. We may be betting on a decent wedge of hype though.

5:15 Curragh I probably like Masta Plasta's chances the best of the three here. He should get a nice break and a soft lead up the rail and be hard to peg back in a small field. The worry is the going – the more rain that helps Again, hinders Masta Plasta. Also, Alan Berry may actually have a decent horse.

Getaway £9 win at 7/4ish
Again £9 win at 7/4ish
Masta Plasta £9 win at 7/4ish
£3 win treble

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2441)
A late play on the Solario looks a very bad bet in retrospect, and a later play on Murray was looking even worse! Now losing on the week and this fund is certainly in the doldrums.

1. 3:00 Newton Abbott possible match

Saturday 30th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£994– 5 bets inplay – accounted)

Updates:
Michael Campbell pootling along very nicely. We've already landed two of the match bets with Jacquelin and Fisher missing the cut. Let's see if he can push onto glory, or at least beat Dyson!

Jankovic not looking too inspiring and Wozniacki every chance of beating her. We'll wait on that match but may need to hedge on Dementieva reaching the final. Safina going ok in the other half of draw but Serena/Venus looking ominous. (My modest ew double Wozniacki/Campbell still alive!)

I've never liked this day's racing and if I do play end up regretting. No doubt I will dabble – Stoute at Sandown more than likely, but I'm going to do a Saturday first and give no bet here today. We have the football bets from yesterday, Arsenal, and the golf and tennis to keep us busy anyway.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2625)
Normal Saturday.

1. St Helens £250 win rugby at 1.14

Friday 29th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1024 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

Football's a cruel enough game when you're a fan in the stands...

Hey ho – onwards – the weekend's football starts here!

Four sides flagged up by ratings – two worth pursuing. Their prices are attractive due to the hype surrounding their opponents. QPR are supposedly moneybags now, but haven't visibly been splashing the cash, and much the same applies to my new local team. The bookies seem to be overly short on both teams right now. I'll stick with what the ratings suggest.

£13.75 Bristol City beat QPR at 7/5
£11.25 Notts Co beat Shrewsbury at 9/4 if you can get it – 2/1 still fair.
£2.50 Notts Co/Shrewsbury 0-0 at 10/1ish (both sides short of goals)
£2.50 fourfold Bristol City/Notts Co/Rochdale/Leeds at 25/1ish

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2542)
For second week running the dogs wipe out all of good work.

Thursday 28th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1054 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

I usually just stick to league games and my ratings, but I can't resist a go at the UEFA cup tonight.

Man City were beaten in the first leg and are now odds on for the rematch. This against a team that were only beaten once at home all last season. City have conceded a mere 17 goals in their last 5 Premiership away games, and frankly were gifted the game against an abject and 10 man West Ham on Sunday. I'd struggle to go 6/4 City, but the bookies have to price this aggressively given the teams involved and that City “MUST” win.

Plus it's yet another chance for me to bet my favourite off-beam edge – value on teams/people with unpronouncable names!

I'll put the main bet on Midtylland getting something from the game, greedy it up with a small win bet and hedge on City scraping through on away goals.

Midtylland £22 at +0.5 asian hcap at 11/10ish
Midtylland £4 win at 7/2+
Man City win 2-1 £4 at 8/1+

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2726)
Sod Tipsarevic.

There's only possibles today – 3:10 Ayr, 4:20 Lingfield and 8:15 Belle Vue dogs

Weds 27th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1084 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Daily challenge golf bets are 6/22 and 68% returns. Just so you know prior to today's bets. That's the thing about golf though – losing runs and occasional big priced winners. Still, it's the only losing sport on here and only fair to warn any newcomers.

I've caught Michael Campbell playing a few shots over the last few weeks, and he really looks like a player getting back into the swing. This course and the weather should help. I've played a few match bets as well as outright to try to limit the damages, though it does mean we are getting stung on the overround each time.

Campbell £3 ew at 50/1
Campbell £8 beat Dyson at 9/10
Campbell £8 beat O Fisher at 10/11
Campbell £8 beat Jaquelin at Evens

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2872 – Tipsarevic yet to play - accounted)
Still in good shape. I'm not sure about short priced football teams to be honest, but the Arsenal price is perfectly fair and maybe has too much of Fulham's win in it.

1. Tennis Tipsarevic beat Warburg £250 at 1.24 c/over

2. Tennis Srebotnik beat Muesberger £250 at 1.17

3. Arsenal beat FC Twente £250 at 1/4

Tuesday 26th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1084 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Nothing appeals today.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2839)
4/4 on the horses yesterday – Warwick, Ripon, Cartmel and Huntingdon! Which puts us a bet ahead on the week already. Be nice not to give it up too quickly.

I forgot to mention a bet in-running on Sunday. When Noble was sent off for West Ham I dutched City to win and a 0-0 draw at 1.27. Looks a possible new avenue worth exploring, though I struggle to get a handle on true odds in such situations.

1. Tennis Tipsarevic beat Warburg £250 at 1.24

2. Tennis Radwanska beat Shedova £250 at 1.13

Monday 25th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1109 – 2 bets inplay – accounted)

Nothing like spending a Sunday in bank holiday traffic jams to make you want to get back in the saddle!

US Open tennis.

The men's tournament had me chewing my front trotter off after about half an hour so I've swerved it entirely.

The women's tournament looks even more unfathomable but it does have an interesting shape to it. The 4^th quarter looks a decent place to be. The shrewdies hate Jankovic and have given up on her ever winning a slam. I tend to agree on the whole – all that injury nonsense is a sure sign of mental fragility. On the other hand she is second best rated in the world and that's because she usually goes deep in a tournament. The two in her draw who could trouble her play each other early on, but should they beat her in round 3 could then have a real good run to the final – with Kuznetsova off form and Dementieva surely due a letdown after Beijing. Anyway, enough prattle – here's the portfolio. The bookies let me down badly in accepting bets and I ended up adding Safina to make up the stakes – how amateur is that!

Jankovic £15 win 4^th quarter at 13/8
Safina £5 win outright at 6/1
Wozniacki £2 ew at 66/1
Azarenka £1 ew at 28/1 (33/1 available but the Tote would only allow me £6 – risible)

For the horses I'll probably continue with Many Volumes, who looks likely to drift this afternoon.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2500)
12/17 last week – hopeless and £400 down on the week. Gonna take some time to get back to the new benchmark.

Some racing opportunities today maybe.

1. Tennis Azarenka beat Zakopolova £250 at 1.1

Sunday 24th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1074 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Three wheels on my waggon...!

I was due a kick in the arse. I can't help feeling York being abandoned may have been a blessing in disguise. And at least it was Fulham that dented the Arsenal bet!

And, in reality all that's happened is I've given back August's profits so far, so a sense of proportion required, and in times of yore a betting day like yesterday would have spanked me way harder, so the staking strategy I was moaning about midweek proved its mettle again.

I'll adopt usual tactics and have a day or two off. A steam fair in Shrewsbury should be sufficient to get the enthusiasm back!.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2709)
Racing kept me in the game – after a terrible week – although Petara Bay nearly scuppered one late play. That hedge on Veronica Campbell has helped staunch the losses as well. The Olympics started well but the athletics caught me out big time.

Saturday 23rd August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1104 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

The racing looks remarkably uncompetitive today. I may look silly saying that later! Hard to find obvious bets though, so I'll do my old stand-by of doubles.

Patkai/Sanbuch/Bankable/Winker Watson/New Approach 10x £2 doubles
(add Ravens Pass/Duke of Marmalade) 4 x £1 fivefolds
The top 5 plus Dobriskey (see below) £1 sixfold

Dobriskey runs in the women's 1500m later and has a finishing kick that is hardly associated with British distance runners. I think she'll grab a place. But I'll aim higher and back her without the fave.

£5 Dobriskey w/out Jamal at 3/1

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2746)
3 losers in the last 6 bets has the look of a Wall Street crash in this fund. The first real testing time for the fund!

1. Vlasic win women's high jump £290 at 1.19

2. Dutch Ravens Pass/Bankable £290 at 1.17

3. Dutch New Approach/Duke of Marmalade £290 at 1.22

Friday 22nd August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1097 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

Yorkshire Oaks. I thought Lush Lashes would get the trip fine in the Oaks, so am inclined to forgive her. Besides there may not be much pace here – let's hope Manning doesn't mess up again. Michita is very solid and I don't like Passage of Time despite her last two races. Dar Re Mi is worth a go in this class, but for me we can get with the front two at a fair price. I'll try to land a treble with the other carried over races.

£24 dutch Lush Lashes and Michita at 1.5
£6x1 trebles Lush Lashes/Michita/Equiano/Bauer/Milne Graden/Yellowstone

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £3036)
What chance Jamaica drop the baton in the two 4x100m sprints? That's the only obvious way they'll lose. Surely less than 10% despite GB/US examples yesterday. I have a feeling the 1.17 available is decent, though rain would put me off.

Thursday 21st August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1127 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

Allyson Felix definitely looks injured. I wouldn't blame anyone for getting out of that bet, although she still looks at least second best. Personally I'm going to hedge with Veronica Campbell in the barking bets fund.

Tomorrow looks like a racing day, so we'll do Saturday's football today.

Blackburn are 4/6 with Ladbrokes to beat Hull. They seem very keen to get the team, which is a worry, as my ratings have Blackburn priced at 1.5 for this. I think they are betting on apparent unrest in the camp, rather than beief in Hull. Fulham should have been away and gone after half an hour last week, whilst Blackburn got a great result at Everton. Hull's away form last season was very poor, and I'd say there's a considerable class gap here. I'll go against Ladbrokes.

I think we'll do an accumulator every weekend as well this season, though last week may be the closest we get!

Blackburn beat Hull £25 win at 4/6
Blackburn/Southend/Plymouth/Barnet £2.50 win acc at 20/1+

(For Jonah – Chester – heavy ground, poor horses, good luck with that project! The Racing Post seems all over him like a rash but the only horse that appeals is Leslingtaylor. I've always liked him and he should enjoy the conditions. Say £2.50 win at 11/2 for interest's sake! Have a good night.)

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2692)
I forgot to account for Lolo Jones yesterday – that hurt – went 1:01 in-running – but Gail Devers managed the same feat twice so I should have guessed. Strange that I'll play the same event today!

1. Robles £290 win 110m Hurdes at 1.2

2. Veronica campbell £290 at evens (If Felix wins these losses are accounted against that)

Weds 20th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1157 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

I was going to have this as a barking bet, but given the continued absence of York, let's move it up as the main bet.

Usain Bolt will win today. But break the world record? I doubt it. Even if he gets the wind; even if he isn't tired from all the races AND the attention; even if he actually runs through the line; even if someone makes a race of it, and even if he improves his bend running I still think he'll come up short. For now. And so does Michael Johnson. And frankly, if you've been paying attention over the last few years that should be enough.

Usain Bolt not to break 200m world record £30 at 1.35+

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2907)
Damn – back where we started the week.

Three potential races in half an hour this evening –
Newton Abbott 6:40 and 7:10, and Folkestone 6:25

Tuesday 19th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1121 – 5 bets inplay – accounted)

On Weds of Cheltenham I was due to go with a friend. He was halfway there before it was called off. Today he is halfway to York. Now that's bad luck!

No bet today now. We have some interest in the athletics today – and a probably forlorn hope that Sanya Richards ties up. Since I've learnt that Michael Johnson has been helping her I've lost confidence in that bet – but do think Uhurogou's a tough opponent.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £3155)
Another couple of wins in the Olympics yesterday. We've doubled our money now - which is nice!

1. Possible bets at Nottingham dogs tonight 8:00 and 8:15

Monday 18th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1146 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

I'll stick with the Olympics on a quiet day today.

Allyson Felix looked special last year. She joined that special group in my mind's eye of runners who look graceful and effortless – Coe, Gabrielselassie, Pietro Mennea. I was convinced she'd become a great and was getting ready to bet accordingly. Then I caught her a couple of times on eurosport last month and she looked sluggish and off-form. She has run a good time recently though, and I think at the prices I'm going to stick with my earlier memories. That hasn't been the best of ideas so far – Kelly, Nicole (Sanders) and Paula have all shown the rather obvious need for form.

So, let's back her up with someone in the form of his life, who could just grab a bronze and, in a very messy event – who knows.

Felix win 200m £19 win at 11/8
Baddeley 1500m £2 ew at 33/1
£1 ew double

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £3061)
A couple of good plays in the athletics got me off to a good start for the week. The prices have been very attractive.

1. Mens team track pursuit - £290 GB at 1.08

Sunday 17th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1149 – 4 bets inplay – accounted)

Really good run lately. I don't feel I've made enough of it – but then my staking strategy is bound to seem hopelessly conservative in good times and it's important to remember what it saves me through the bad times.

I've already had my bet for today – the Chinese women in the quadruple skulls, which was a remarkable example of patriotic prices skewing the market. I was close to doing them as a barking bet at 1.3 after the heats, and they were 1.9 at the off in the face of a Great Britain challenge and Steven Redgrave hype. He's plainly not as good a judge as Michael Johnson who actually predicted Bolt's finishing time yesterday – now that's top topping!

I probably should now sit out the rest of the day but the football has drawn me in. We'll blame Billy if it all goes Pete Tong.

Aston Villa are only a fair price on my ratings to win today, given that I missed the evens that was available earlier in the week. However, if you overlay the almost certain improvement O'Neill will squeeze out of them, and the almost certain implosion of City (one of the worst run clubs imaginable) then 5/6 looks fair enough.

We'll split bets with Chelsea. Who always seem to be drawing at half time in their matches at home, (not far off 50% in the last few seasons) before winning second half. Portsmouth are more than capable of keeping it tight.

Aston Villa £15 win at 5/6
Chelsea £12.50 draw half-time at 7/4 (15/8 is available for some)
£2.50 Draw/Chelsea at 7/2

“Barking Bets” (Banked £875/Current bank £2905)
Bolt landed us a double whammy and pulled me into profit for the week. I banked a modest £100 and am now up to £290 per bet. Can't find one today though – should have done Rebecca Romero but was too busy chewing a chocolate criossant.

Saturday 16th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1025 – 5 bets inplay – accounted)

Sadly we can forget Kelly – I did warn you it was a lovebet!

Already some bets running on – Chris Hoy and football. Let's add some racing.

Newbury 2:40.
Sixties Icon is a favourite of mine and has done well for this blog over the last couple of years. A little worried about the going and with Geordieland skewing the win market we can keep a couple of tough soft ground horses on side as well.

Newbury 3:15
Paco Boy looks a legitimate favourite here, with no obvious reason why those he beat last time should fare any better. However, this is Welsh Emperor's race, and it does look like he could get the soft lead he needs. We can back them both at odds against.

£12 dutch Sixties Icon/Tempelstern/Peppertree Lane at 6/4ish
£15 dutch Paco Boy and Welsh Emperor at 5/4ish
£3 win double Sixties Icon and Paco Boy at 10/1ish

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2785 – mens 100m unaccounted)
Another racing loser yesterday – wipes out most the good work of the week, and makes Usain Bolt somewhat key to the week – especially as I'm going in again!

1. Mens 100m – Bolt £275 at 1.3

Friday 15th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1080 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Olympics again today:

Firstly cycling.
The Keirin is supposed to be chaos. Strange then that Chris Hoy has won the last 20odd races he's been in. That makes 5/6 look big.

Hoy £13 win Keirin at 5/6

Secondly the women's 400m.
As with Asafa Powell this bet is on the basis Sanya Richards chokes on the big occasion. In particular with this event she seems to struggle when she has to run heats and semis. I'm going to lay her and cover the English girls for a patriotic top-up. I'm a big fan of Nicola Sanders but she hasn't had the best of preps.

Lay Sanya Richards for the 400m to lose £10 at 1.4ish
Uhurogu £1 win at 14/1
Sanders £1 win at 33/1

Tomorrow could be busy so let's get the weekend football out of the way as well.

There's possibilities in each division. Middlesbrough could be a bet to beat Spurs. Or Spurs a lay – after all they only won away from home three times last year, and are yet again priced on hype over substance. Chester look in disarray and Wycombe could profit. The two we're going to play though are:

Sheff Utd to beat QPR. The latter look the new Spurs when it comes to expectation over experience. The prices are based on their supposed resurgence rather than on last year's form. I'll stick with the form.

Brighton to beat Bristol Rovers. I'm obviously a big Micky Adams fan. He did the job before for Brighton and I'll take him to do it again. Rovers are in freefall and clear bottom of the league on my ratings. Brighton's main striker is injured so let's cover 0-0.

Sheff Utd £14 win at 13/10
Brighton £12 win at 4/5
£2 0-0 at 10/1
£2 four fold – Sheff Utd/Brighton/Middlesbrough/Wycombe at 25/1ish

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2918 – mens 100m unaccounted)
A loser yesterday – definitely due.
Possible races today – 2:20 Newbury; 2:00 Kempton and 4:15 Kempton.

Thursday 14th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1070 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Let's split bets again today.

1. Olympics. A lovebet this to be honest, but I've backed Kelly Sotherton virtually every major championship she's been in and she's always grabbed a medal. Looks like it will be close again, and more javelin agony no doubt. Evens is fair though.

Kelly Sotherton £12.50 to win a medal at evens

2. Salisbury 4:15. Third Set could be Godolphin's new flagbearer – god knows what they've done with all the others – but the going won't help today. A striking aspect of this race is that Hannon trains both the horses likely to put the pace to the race, and both look to have cracking chances in their own right. Ridden sensibly there's every chance the two could stack this field up. I'm split between backing them both, or Ordnance Row to place. Possible non runners, particularly taking field below 8, and the exact state of going will decide. For here I'll go:

Redolent £5 win at 11/2
Ordnance Row £5 win at 6/1
£1.25 rev forecast

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £3121)
Seem to be choosing well so far this week – which is probably a case of riding luck because I'm fairly sure I should have sat out some of the plays.

1. Men's 100m £275 dutch Gay and Bolt at 1.43 (Powell has a very poor championship record)

2. Possible plays 2:00 and 3:05 Salisbury

Weds 13th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1100 – 2 bets inplay – accounted)

An unusual bet (for me) today. Here's Arsenal's first ten fixtures:
West Brom (h)
Fulham (a)
Newcastle (h)
Blackburn (a)
Bolton (a)
Hull (h)
Sunderland (a)
Everton (h)
West Ham (a)
Spurs (h)

Last year they also had a softish start to their campaign and they started well only for the tougher fixtures and a thin squad to tell later on. I expect the same this year. Plus Man Utd may well start slowly with their injury worries.

Anyway, here's the bet. Back Arsenal now for the title, and then lay out entirely after around ten games. They are a shade over 5/1 now and hopefully we'll be able to get out under 3/1.

Trade: Arsenal £30 win at 5/1+

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2979)
Possibles Yarmouth 2:20 and Beverley 4:50 – the listed race at Salisbury could also have potential. Probably no bet though – we're effectively one bet ahead this week so far and in no rush.

Tuesday 12th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1100 – 2 bets inplay – accounted)

Another no bet day.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2957)

Anne was badgering me to do a couple of chores I've been avoiding so I ended up playing all the events I was in two minds about yesterday, just to keep out the way! Turned out well, and I added Phelps overnight at what looked a big 1.11. Radwanska won for us yesterday yet again, and I guess we dodged a bullet as she lost today in a similar match.

1. Possible 2:30 Lingfield – Dutch front two.

Monday 11th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1100 – 2 bets inplay – accounted)

2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th in the golf. At least a couple were each way.

Fair play to Harrington who reminds me of Rooster Booster. Years of coming second, and then suddenly he seems to discover where the winning line is! Garcia looks destined never to win a major (though I would have said that about Harrington about 13 months ago).

No bet today.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2660)
I was tempted by England for the cricket but will stay out. Zilcash looked a sick horse last time out and has 4 credible challengers – a possible lay, but King's horses are tricky in first time blinkers. Probably sit out today.

Sunday 10th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1081 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Golf update: No option but to sit and wait and play later.

Arlington Million sounded like a soft lead race – disappointing. Football kicked off better. Maybe I should have trusted myself and piled on Southend. I still think a certain caution will be useful early doors, so we'll split bets again today.

Marchand D'Or should win today – this is his track and he won very cheekily last time. 5/4 is the right price I'd say. We should probably keep US Ranger onside – you know why – but I'll stick with the fave.

Football – Reading have kept most of their players, so their rating should hold up. These players bossed this league two seasons ago. Forest are stepping up, and have injury problems. I thought Reading should be 5/4.

Marchand Dor £11 win at 11/8
Reading £11 win at 6/4
£3 double

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2660)
A couple of winners yesterday.

1. Tennis – Radwanska beat Chan £275 at 1.17

Saturday 9th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1095 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Golf update: Garcia and Stenson still in the mix and it looks wide open. We'll top up with another slew of arrers and see where we are this time tomorrow.

O'Hair £1.50 at 20/1
Toms £1.50 at 25/1
Baddeley £1.50 at 22/1
Poulter £1 at 125/1
Trahan £1 at 80/1
Michael Campbell £1 at 180/1

Racing:
The Shergar Cup isn't a betting event for me, and with all the rain about I'll be keeping it quiet all day. The one race we can attack with verve and gusto is the Arlington Million. I don't know the American horses, but looking through the form there really doesn't seem much to worry the two raiders. I prefer Archipenko of the two, but we're in O'Brien land again, and angels fear to tread there.

Arlington Million: £25 dutch Archipenko and Mount Nelson at around 8/11

Football:
Here we go at last! I looked back over last year's postings and it was a useful reminder to treat my ratings with caution for the first few games. The odds compilers really take into account transfer activity in a way my ratings can't. I'd guess they probably overreact, but I'll still tread quietly for a few weeks.

Southend for example are being labelled a selling club, and Peterborough a buying club, and the odds today reflect that. My ratings though have Southend odds on for this match. Last year I'd have steamed in and paid the price. This year I'll still play but let's spread the love by including two other teams clear on ratings but who presumably have not done a lot pre season.

Southend beat Peterborough £8 at 11/8
Carlisle beat Bristol Rovers £8 at 2/1
Rochdale beat Grimsby £8 at 7/4
£1 treble

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2490)
I got back from London just in time to get stuck into the Haydock maiden. A hungover mistake I feel cross with myself for! And one that's ruined this week.

I'll be careful today.
Possibly 2:35 Haydock Dutch Smokey Oakey/Multidimensional and Flying Clarets (soft lead).
Other possible races – Redcar 4:10; Lingfield 5:40 and 6:10; and Ayr 6:20.

A long day!

Weds 6th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1133 – 1 bet inplay – accounted)

I'm off for a couple of days after today – back to London for one hour's work, then off with old mates to Sandown for the racing and then a hungover game of tennis. Nice.

So, and this is something of a damp squib, here's my Olympics bet. I think there will be ample opportunities for barking bets throughout but this is the only outright bet I ended up with. I'll play it up here rather than in the barking section despite short odds.

The only thing that is crystal clear is China's utter determination to top the medals table. They have been plotting for 8 years to gain most golds, and though the price looks terrible at first glance, I think it's a safe bet. In particular I think we are going to see some decidedly dodgy results in all events that are marked by judges. Don't however be tempted into the most medals market at better prices. USA major in events where they can often pick up more than one medal (eg athletics), whereas China are majoring in events where often there is only one entry per country.

£25 China most golds 2/5

We'll also start a USPGA golf portfolio and, as with the Open last month, top up as we go along.

I'd love to say there's a lot of research gone into this. But there hasn't. I'm giving Garcia yet another last and final chance; keeping Stenson my favourite golfer onside, and seeing if KJ Choi can avoid a snowman on the 72^nd hole this time. A loyal bet, made up with the two players playing the most solid golf this year. Hopefully a couple will challenge and put us in a fighting position.

Garcia £1.50ew 25/1
Choi £1.25ew 45/1
Stenson £1.25ew 45/1
Perry £1.25ew 45/1
Karrlsson £1ew 70/1

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2765)
Haas sent us back to the start of the week. These tennis players really do tank a lot, and I wonder how much appearance money has to do with it. This tournament was always likely to be dodgy so we'll shut up shop on that sport for the week. It's the only area not in profit and I've already cut back accordingly.

No obvious bet today.

Tuesday 5th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1133 – 1 bet inplay – accounted)

No bet today. I've been doing my football league season accumulators and some Olympics research instead!

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2945)
One bet, one winner yesterday.

1. Tennis – Haas beat Young £275 at 1.15

2. Wimbledon dogs – possibly 9:10 Tp6; and 9:45 Tps 1 and 3

3. Catterick 2:30 – possible, but I'm not usually one for Johnston shorties.

Monday 4th August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1133 – 1 bet inplay – accounted)

No bet today

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2865)
Good golf win yesterday. I covered in play when what appeared to be an 11 year old was making a charge – she'll be pretty decent when she leaves the brownies. Still, a nice start to week though.

1. 3:30 NA – possible dutch Qrackers and Ellerslie Tom £275 at 1.3ish

Sunday 3rd August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1133 – 2 bets inplay – accounted)

No bet today

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2773)
Ochoa looks to have blown the golf, but with her on-side there does look a greedy barking bet on the front runners – I have a feeling their names and relative anonymity are holding their prices up.

1. Golf Dutch Fudo, Shin and Miyazato £275 at 1.45

Saturday 2nd August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1079 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

Still flowing along. Nice win yesterday. Those who laid the cricket draw will collect, and Ochoa is nicely placed after two rounds.

Goodwood.

Lush Lashes is a very good horse. Halfway to Heaven is from the stable that's been killing us. I'm going to dutch the two of them and hope for the best. (To answer Jonah's query. The problem with Halfway to Heaven is she may not stay, nor be much good!, so am inclined to avoid the place element, though I can see the logic).

And in the Stewards Cup I'll throw a dart.

3:30 Goodwood Lush Lashes and Halfway to Heaven dutched £20 at 6/4 and 9/2 guaranteed
3:50 Goodwood Barney McGrew £5 at 16/1

“Barking Bets” (Banked £775/Current bank £2773)
I've shut up shop for the week. I couldn't find anything today (Saturday is always the hardest day – I wonder what difference if any the football season will make).

I've banked £275 for the week, and will up stakes to £275 from tomorrow.

Which is nice!

Friday 1st August

“£500 Challenge Bet” (£1049 – 3 bets inplay – accounted)

A good week, and I'm not going to spoil it by getting dragged into playing a Goodwood card that looks even harder than yesterday's.

The one race I do like is the first one. However, there are three warnings here, and I will be waiting until the last minute before betting, if at all. Firstly, non runners look certain; secondly, the rains could be coming; and thirdly, I want to try and sense the vibes about Sixties Icon.

Because if Sixties Icon is fit and well this is his for the taking. The other horse with very decent course form, Stotsfold, is the only challenger I'd be worried about and we should be able to construct a nice bet around that.

Something like:
£15 win Sixties Icon
£10 place Stotsfold
£2.50 win Stotsfold

We'll see.

“Barking Bets” (Banked £500/Current bank £2953)
Another good day. I'm in no rush to lose these profits – would like to bank some money this weekend.

1. Tennis – Radwanska beat Pin £240 at 1.1

2. Possible races Bangor 2:30 and 3:40; plus Thirsk 3:15. They'd have to be mighty tempting though to get me involved.