Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sunday 31st May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13030- £140 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

So, I gave all the winnings from the Brigadier Gerrard meeting back in double quick time!

I doubt I've had 100 bets on the flat this season, and yet already I've had two horses beaten at 1:02 and two yesterday at 1:01. That implies I really should take insurance out at around 1:02, not least if the quick pics boys are falling over themselves to get matched.

No bets today.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1645 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


The fund survives for now!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Saturday 30th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£13830- £140 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

Nothing doing yesterday. Both golfers better placed than Bartoli is in the tennis!

Racing:

Bet of day – Beacon Lodge looked a horse going places last time out over course and distance. I thought he'd be vying for favouritism here.

Doncaster “fourplay”
2:30 Big Audio – much to like about debut (Hughes chose over favoured stablemate), good price in a potential match-type situation.
3:00 Bazergan – looks on a winning mark now and conditions suit.
3:30 Akhenanten -the long straight should suit – wouldhave closer to Proclaim in the betting.
4:40 Falcativ – horse going places – take this on route – 15/8 looks relatively big.


Maiden “threeplay” - all ran well on debut and as long as no startling debutants...
3:55 Goodwood - Rakaan
4:20 York – Falling Angel
6:30 Lingfield – Calypso Bay


Football:
(see below)
For interest I'll play on there being no goalscorer – which given two 0-0 draws in the season, has to be a player – and on the one result that, betting aside, would gladden my heart – Tim Cahill getting the only goal.

Something like:
Beacon Lodge £120 to return £750

Big Audio £45 to return £225
Bazergan £30 to return £240
Akhenanten £40 to return £220
Falcativ £75 to return £215
Doncaster four fold £20 to return £9000
Five fold with Beacon Lodge £10 to return £27000

Rakaan £60 to return £130
Falling Angel £60 to return £130
Calypso Bay £60 to return £130
Treble £20 to return £200

No goalscorer £40 to return £340
Cahil/1-0 £20 to return £1180





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1415 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


If Chelsea lose I'll wind-up the fund whilst it's still showing a small profit overall, and have a re-think.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Friday 29th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£14110- £140 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

Now that was a good day's racing!

Today, I'll do another 'threeplay'.

Goodwood 2:25 – Caoba is slow, but then this is a slowboat race, and the handicap mark remains attractive – legitimate favourite.
Goodwood 5:15 – Choreography – backed last time at huge odds, when he was either a blatant non-trier or gone at thegame. With the cheekpieces on today we'll find out which.
Haydock 7:10 – Doctor Parkes – plenty in hand – should be favourite.

Caoba £75 to return £240
Choreography £10 win to return £210; £40 place to return £240ish
Doctor Parkes £55 win to return £240
£20 treble to return £6000ish





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1415 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


This fund in serious pooh. If Chelsea lose the cup I'll seriously think about winding it up, at least it would end in profit overall that way, and I can re-think about a new approach, as it remains an area I'm keen to try to exploit.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Thursday 28th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13270- £220 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Let's move on!

I did an ante post Derby bet yesterday £40 Age of Aquarius at 30/1. I'm not alone in thinking the O'Brien outsiders look too long and his faves too short.

Racing today.

I'll do a “threeplay” this afternoon, and think about Sandown whilst I'm watching.
Ayr 2:20 Maison Brillet (decent debut, weak looking race, Johnson's track)
Yar 3:10 Big Bay (Wood Ditton form looks good enough here)
Ling 4:00 Fairmile (good run last time, aw experience, and tactically versatile)

Something like
Maison Brillet £70 to return £280
Maison Brillet £40 to return £300
Fairmile £65 to return £280
£20 treble to return £2400


I'll possibly put Sandown bets up later.



Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1615 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


No bet yet.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Wednesday 27th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13560- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Midweek golf madness – these prices are so silly I'd best cover the singles (a week too late of course!)
Kevin Na £10ew 60/1
Ben Curtis £10ew 45/1
£10ew double


Champions League
Draw bet obviously, and as it's the final I'll treat myself.
£80 draw at 23/10
£20 1-1 at 6/1
£20 Vidic first goalscorer 25/1


The Hilary Needler at Beverley tonight looks suitably competitive. The betting seems to be all over Tom Dascombe's favourite. I quite like the look of his second-string running on over this stiff 5... A 20/80 maybe.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1615 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


No bet yet.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Tuesday 26th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13380- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Should have stayed in the garden and left Goodwood well alone yesterday.

Atacama Crossing maybe a bet later – otherwise another quiet day.



Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1615 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Oh dear – Phil Taylor lets me down finally. Can't grumble about that. However, I do need to tweak the modus operandi of this fund. I'm going to re-define a barking bet as any odds-on bet, not just those below about 1.5.

Since reverting to the old part-time approach in the above fund I haven't been betting on much in the Evens to 1.5 range, and with this fund struggling, now looks a good time for a re-jig. However, 10% bets would be too steep in that range so I will introduce variable staking to this fund as well – between 5% and 10% depending primarily on price.


.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Monday 25th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13560- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Shame I didn't try and smash that fourfold football bet out the stadium!

Quiet day today. Enjoy the Bank Holiday.



Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1740 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Casey falls over the line!

Chepstow 5:40 – as long as no monsoon – the front two are from my maiden and if anything Dhushan was the horse to take out of that race.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Sunday 24th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£12760- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Yesterday not so good. Definitely need to refine the staking strategy for the summer Saturdays. Was helped out by a couple of “stable” bets on Palavicini and Archers Road, which would have been better off forming part a threeplay somewhere!

I'll skip the Irish 1000 today – I went round in circles and gave up. Similarly with the French Open tennis. However, I've always said when a tipster goes way out on a limb and puts in print a real longshot, you should have a dabble.

So, for interest Bartoli £20 ew 100/1 and £10 win 160/1.


Football. I struggle to see any of the relegation-threatened winning today, and certainly not two of them. The prices are the usual end of season mindfuck and although I've been circumspect this tail-end (and rightly so), I'll jump in today.

Villa £50 win and £70 draw no bet, to return £235 (or £70)
West Ham £50 win and £70 draw no bet, to return £230 (or £70)
Man Utd £35 win and £85 draw no bet, to return £235 (or £85)
Chelsea £120 win to return £225
£20 fourfold to return £420




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1700 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


The front three golfers at Wentworth look to have it between them. I'm going to be fed up if Casey wins, having failed to cover him in a single!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Saturday 23rd May


2009 Challenge Fund (£13050- £120 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

I had a fairly big bet yesterday on the basis of “inside info” - something I rarely do, and am even less likley to do in future!

Racing today.
Newmarket looks better than Haydock, with the latter's going after two days of racing likely to be glue-pot.
2:50 Nmkt – The front two look opposable and at the prices Nasri could be the one – albeit with a slight doubt about whether he truly gets this trip.
3:25 Nmkt – Able Master is well handicapped and even more so with the claimer's 5lbs. Parisian Pyramid is also backable if forgiving his two Chester runs (one more easy to forgive than the other).
4:00 Newmarket – Step in Time – worthy favourite with Running Mate coming out of a very moderate maiden.
4:35 Newmarket – Militarist – Wood Ditton remains hot form, even if he did nick it a bit, and he was babyish prior to his last run.
5:45 Newmarket – Hawk Mountain should have a bit more class than Silk Hall, as long as going not too quick.
3:10 Haydock – Total Gallery – Pricewise this morning, and his Ascot run threatens this lot.
3:40 Haydock – Foundation Room -open to loads of improvement.


How to organise that lot?

How about a favourite's “threeplay” at Newmarket:
Step In Time £55 to return £125
Militarist £45 to return £125
Hawk Mountain £40 to return £120
£20 treble to return £320


Then the tissue horses:
2:50 Nasri £50 to return £450
3:10 Total Gallery £50 to return £400
3:25 Able Master £40 to return £520
(3:25 Parisian Pyramid £20 to return £260)
3:40 Foundation Room £40 to return £360
Then 4 x £10 trebles to return £30k+
and a four fold with Pyramid to do likewise just in case!





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1700 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Haven't had time to look yet.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Friday 22nd May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13250- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Not so good yesterday – at least we had a non runner. Antinori – some dog!

The racing is depressingly poor for a Friday. No obvious bet so far.

Instead, let's get the play-off “threeplay” out the way. We already have the treble in hand (running on from UEFA cup. I also did a sneaky 6fold on all the 'cup finals' to finish equal!).

Burnley/Sheff Utd £50 draw to return £160
Millwall/Scunthorpe £50 draw to return £160
Gillingham/Shrewsbury £50 draw to return £160






Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1615 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Nothing yesterday. Today looking blank as well.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Thursday 21st May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13430- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Nice draw yesterday.

Racing today:

1:50 Haydock – Hawk Mountain – not a good price, but definitely improving (Escorial lay though).
2:50 Goodwood – Choreography – two problems – no cheekpieces and wide draw – more than offset by price though.
4:35 Goodwood – Safari Mischief – best fresh, and conditions suitable here.
6:20 Sandown – Darley Sun – did even better last time out than it looked.
7:25 Sandown – The Fonz – hardly value – but extra distance will help, and the hill, and Antonori is a dog (good bet for second though). Wilfred Pickles also a big price based on second to The Fonz, and if I need to get out of trouble I may have to play him as well!

Something like:
Hawk Mountain £75 to return £225
Choreography £10 to return £440
Safari Mischief £30 to return £240
Darley Sun £35 to return £225
The Fonz £80 to return £220
£20 four fold (not Choreography) to return £6900
£5 five fold to return £58000!






Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1615 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Another loser and back down in the dumps!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Wednesday 20th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13370- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Small win yesterday. I can't see much at Goodwood today – the Predominate looks particularly tricky. Watching brief. Quiet day.

Mid-week golf madness, and I'm glad to see Kevin Na back in the mix!

Casey/Na £20ew double 866/1




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1775 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Five bets in the end yesterday – sadly one of them the marathon dog disaster!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Tuesday 19th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13320- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Well done Portsmouth.

Racing today – let's do a modest “threeplay”.

Nott 3:00 – Brynfa Boy- a couple of eye-catching runs, now in a handicap off what looks a very nice rating.
Yar 3:40 – Dreamwalk – can win a poor maiden judged on last time, and this certainly is poor.
Yar 4:10 – King of Connacht – Toad will tell you that this one overcame a draw/pace bias last time out, and taken on just that form, remains well handicapped, and a good price as common opinion is that the race was a one-off.

Something like
Brynfa Boy £40 to win £320
Dreamwalk £100 to win £250
King of Connacht £40 to win £320
£20 treble to win £2500




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1835 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


The evening may be rewarding, with possibles such as:
Leicester 8:10
Wimbledon dogs 7:55
Wimbledondogs 9:40

Monday, May 18, 2009

Monday 18th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13150- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Portsmouth are an even sillier price this morning, now they're safe. Their “draw no bet” price isn't too far off what I think their win price should really be!

Portsmouth £150 at 11/10 (Asians -0.25), or if you prefer, £75 win and £75 draw no bet.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1825 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


I got out of the cricket with a manageable loss, and let the football take the strain. Cue a day's rain now!

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Sunday 17th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13150- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

The disqualification of Georgia probably cost Russia their top 10 finish last night, which is at least a small irony to take from the evening!

I was so close yesterday to doing Fulham to win and Bolton to draw, instead of the other way round (a mis-judgement that appears to have cost £1400ish).

C'est la vie. And Steve Palmer's column cheered me up no end this morning – at least I maintain a business-like approach!

Day off today.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1760 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Both Liverpool and Chelsea are fairly priced. In-running may provide better pickings. Cricket could get a bit nervy!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Saturday 16th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13420- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Today let's start with Eurovision. And Russia. Or, rather Putin. Who puts the willies up any nation within touching distance. Georgia have already been disqualified. I bet all the others have their arses twitching like rabbits' noses. Surely, they are all going to throw a few votes in Russia's direction? They have for the last three years, when Russia have at least placed, and last year it felt like they'd been commanded to vote for them. And now they're hosts. People are saying their song is terrible. I can't comment but their songs were awful hitherto, so it plainly doesn't matter. The only downside I can see is if some secret edict has gone out asking them not to vote for the 'motherland'. In particular I can see them thrashing the old European countries (France, German, Spain and us) who are all pants at this, and have no friends.

Russia Top 10 £70 to return £200
Russia Top 4 £50 to return £1000
Russia win £10 to return £2400
Russia top of pre-qualified countries £50 to return £350




Football:
The relegation threatened sides are in crazy price country today. However, as we've seen the draw seems to be a better bet than taking the 'value'. I've prevaricated a bit and gone as follows:

Bolton – well, they do struggle to win, but I'm going to risk them. They should be odds on – Hull are beyond awful.
Aston Villa are leggy, and so instead of doing a win/draw no bet combo, I'll just go for the draw.
Fulham likewise. Their price is very attractive, but on reflection a draw looks a big player.
Man Utd only need a draw.
And with Portsmouth playing Sunderland Monday I can easily see all the crap clubs losing so I'll cover that as well.

Bolton to beat Hull £120 to return £270

Threeplay Draws
Man Utd/Arsenal draw £45 to return £160
Middlesbrough/Villa draw £45 to return £150
Newcastle/Fulham draw £45 to return £160
£20 draw treble to return £880
Fourfold – Bolton/Fulham/Villa/Portsmouth - all win £40 to return £2000



Racing
Lockinge day remains a pretty dismal day's racing. And without RUK, but with changeable weather, I'm particularly unenthusiastic. The Lockinge looks very poor, and Paco Boy wouldn't have to be top notch to win, but at the prices, with the going making the trip a test you'd have to oppose. Pressing and Aqlaam would make most appeal. There's quite a few horses I don't like today who come out top on Escorial's ratings, so that will be interesting to watch.

I'll do a threeplay
2:30 Thirsk – Jenny Potts (step up perfect – hopefully not running for handicap mark), a decent field provides a decent 20/80 price.
2:55 Newmarket – Clowance House – that maiden I'm following, looks a fair favourite here.
3:10 Newbury – Aqwaal – far from fit last time out, and scopey sort who can keep improving.

Something like:
Jenny Potts £15 win to return £300 and £35 place to return £180
Clowance House £55 win to return £150
Aqwaal £45 win to return £150
£30 treble to return £5000





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1760 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Cricket draw at 1.35. We have the weather on our side, and England making the series safe. The downside is a West Indies side with no desire to dig in.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Friday 15th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£13440- £120 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

I thought San Frontieres ran a cracker yesterday. They should let him take his chance in the Derby even if he is probably too green to do himself justice. With guaranteed odds, and quarter odds the place it was still a nice return.

Two 'three-plays' today – a lively one at York, and a fave's one at Newbury – weather has to be a worry though.

York 2:10 Redesignation – cracking performance last time out considering how worked up he was - bit worrying Escorial is laying it though (www.postracing.co.uk for his ratings)
York 2:40 Centennial – last time out seemed a prep and whilst too much rain would be a blow it would inconvenience a few others as well.
York 4:55 Tepmokea – non runner Tuesday – easier chance here and, as then, the form with Gitano Hernandez sticks out like a sore thumb (if realiable)


Newbury 2:20 Mijas Playas – have to forgive Chester run – and that's easily done, and he has a cracking chance here, where experience will count.
Newbury 2:50 Awinnersgame – sweated up last time, so that looks decent, and a listed class sprint looks his sort of race.
Newbury 3:20 Apple Charlotte – didn't beat much last time out, but Cecil won't have blown her handicap mark for nothing, and this not a very competitive looking field.

Something like:
Redesignation £50 to return £400
Centennial £50 to return £400
(£10 double to return £640)
Tepmokea £75 to return £400
£30 treble to return £10500

Miyas Playas £40 to return £140
Awinnersgame £40 to return £150
Apple Charlotte £55 to return £140
£20 treble to return £550
£5 sixfold to return squids...





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1760 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


My sky+ box has gone kaput which is a cause for some grief, and stopping me searching around for bets during the day, and indeed stopping me from keeping on top of all the racing.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Thursday 14th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13190- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

York day 2.

Time for the first proper bet of the flat season.

I really liked Sans Frontieres' run in the Craven – he followed Delegator through, albeit at a respectful distance – having pulled early and run green. Bred to improve up in trip, There's every chance he could be a player, and the place odds are attractive too.


For the threeplay:
York 3:45 City Dancer – cost us when missing the break at Chester, but forgive that, especially with Hanagan back on board and the price looks very tempting.
Salisbury 1:50 Entreat – the third at Sandown actually looks pretty useful
Salisbury 2:50 Rosika – the win in the fillies race looked pretty good and she looks ahead of her rating.


Something like:
San Frontieres £100 ew at 14/1

City Dancer £35 to return £210
Entreat £50 to return £180
Rosika £50 to return £180

£25ew double Sans Frontieres and City Dancer
4 x £10 win doubles and £10 win four fold





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1760 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wednesday 13th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£13190- £120 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

York day 1:
York 2:40 – as you know I'm a fan of High Heeled's last run against the colts and if the ground is Ok, a muddling pace here may suit her. This could be the race where she is ruthlessly exposed though, so I'll stick to a threeplay, rather than get the boots on.

York 3:10 – this used to be a front runners track so it's certainly possible the Abernant form will be upheld, even if the front two got the run of the race that day. Edge Closer should live up to his name if he gets out of the stalls this time.

York 4:55 – three horses running well may sneak a fitness advantage – Topolski, typical Johnston improver; Barwell Bridge – tough and this should suit, and Tepmokea whose form with Gitano Hernando is looking pretty good now.

Something like:
High Heeled £75 to return £250
Edge Closer £15 win to return £200; £60 place to return £260
Toploski/Tepkomea/barwell Bridge £50 hedge to return £250
and 3 x £10 trebles High Heeled/Edge Closer with each of the other three.

Enact/Serious Impact £40 double to return £560
(notebook horses, but not 'value', so a covering bet just in case)




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1740 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Yet another balls-up yesterday, and a couple of winners.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tuesday 12th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£13190- £120 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120


Typically quiet Tuesday. I'll get back in the garden with rains forecast for later in week.


I did an Oaks/Derby longshot double yesterday - High Heeled and Sans Frontieres - for what it's worth.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1830 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

I'll look at the maidens opening each card and more likely the 4:20 Warwick.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Monday 11th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£13205- £100 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120


Stenson finally flops over the winning line. Another couple of wins and the two of us will be quits! I did lay some off in-running, and had a racing loser yesterday as well, but nice to get the fund back over 13k.

We've got the draw in the Newcastle game tonight, and I'll do a threeplay on the horses:

Redcar 4:50 Justonefortheroad (into hcap company, up in trip and may pick off the two faves if they take each other on.
Yarmouth 5:00 Sri Kuantan – forgiveable run last time, remains in good heart, may get the soft lead he needs.
Windsor 6:50 Ordnance Row – strange prep for race he won last year, but assume Hannon knows what he's doing, and these much more his conditions than Satuday, where he ran well.

Something like:
Justonefortheroad £45 to return £200
Sri Kuantan £35 to return £200
(if treble lost) Ordnance Row £60 to return £200
£20 treble to return £1600



Other than that I'll be in my veg plot.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1830 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Sunday 10th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£12875- £90 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120


Golf: Tiger really lurking now – see how brave Cejka is. Stenson and Na may yet grab a place (though I'm glad I wasn't watching Na implode last night John. It could have been the end of a beautiful relationship!).

Racing: Good day yesterday. We just missed out on the place part of the Ascot each way double, (Dane O'Neill rode a pretty poor race on Alnwick, my pocket thought) - and for a second there I thought Nezima was going to win the Victoria cup (90/1 on Betfair!).

The “Four-play” threw up two more winners (double-bubble), but I got the other two races wrong. I had correctly identified races where the front few were opposable. But I missed the winners. Beacon Lodge was a poor oversight for sure, but Royal Rock could only have been a bet with stable insight. Both were very heavily backed and my new word for this scenario is that I was “Veitched”.
No obvious bets today – hopefully I'll get back from my walk to watch the French Guineas and the Derrinstown.

Which leaves football.
Three derbies. Derbies are one of the selection criteria for the draw three-plays, but they haven't performed as well as some of the other criteria I use. Let's hope now's when they catch up!

I'll save the Newcastle stake in case we have a free throw via the treble.
Man Utd/Man City draw £35 to return £190
Arsenal/Chelsea draw £50 to return £160
Newcastle/Middlesburgh £50 to return £180
£15 treble to return £950






Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1800 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


No bet yesterday.

Saturday, May 09, 2009

Saturday 9th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£12455- £200 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120


Football – we'll stick with our play-off draws – two more and we land the four fold!
Today I nearly backed Bolton, and Fulham look a fair price also, but on reflection I'll pass..


Golf: Tiger lurking as John says. But as my fave Kevin Na is also there he'll be the subject of my hedge, £10ew at 28/1, with Stenson still batting. I was going to include Poulter in my original list, so this tournament could end up a bit of a sickener (which is normal for golf!)


Racing:
These 3 or 4 balls have started off well. Let's continue, with Haydock providing most the interest.
Haydock 3:05 – Tight little race but City Style and Ordnance Row are opposable on my prices, and 7f specialist Vitznau could be the one as long as the going isn't too quick.
Haydock 3:40 – Kingdom of Light – lot to like about his debut, and can use experience to good effect – and should improve for step up to 6f.
Haydock 4:50 – Redford (pipeopener) and Zidane (in decline) are opposable at prices, and Tamagin could make a bold bid here.
Thirsk 6:10 – Gertmegalush went in everyone's notebooks on debut and his main opponent is cramming the races in.

Something like:
Vitznau £40 to return £250
Kingdom of Light £50 to return £250
Tamagin £50 to return £250
Gertmegalush £90 to return £250
£10 fourfold to return £3500+

(I'll make the fourfold my weekly get rich quick bet as well)

As for Ascot the best I can come up with is a couple of darts at outsiders who need to bounce back off moderate all weather form, but do have their conditions.
Nazima £10 ew at 50/1+
Alnwick £20 win at 14/1
£10ew double.





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1800 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Clawed a bit back yesterday!

Friday, May 08, 2009

Friday 8th May

2009 Challenge Fund (£12210- £100 in play unaccounted)
Current stake - £120

Today's racing:
Chester 2:15 – Competitve race – South Easter got loose before the start last time, so that was a very good run. Some over-hyped sorts here.
Chester 3:15 – City Dancer – looks the sort to take high order this year. Noble Storm do well to get the lead from his draw.
Chester 4:35 – Empowered very short for a horse up in trip, Red Merlin very solid alternative.
Hamilton 6:45 – Able Master – good run Sandown – extra furlong suit, and Jobe too short.
Something like:
South Easter £25 to return £200
City Dancer £40 to return £200
Red Merlin £45 to return £200
Able Master £35 to return £200
£10 fourfold to return £7900


Football, I'll continue to do the draws on the play-offs. I tried to cut one of them out, but in the end have gone with all four.
Something like:
Burnley/reading draw £40 to return £130
Preston/Sheff Utd draw £40 to return £130
Millwall/Leeds draw £40 to return £130
Scunthorpe/MK Dons £40 to return £130
£15 fourfold to return £1800






Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £1705 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

Ouch. Two consecutive losers yesterday. And 4 out of last 7. I seem to have saved you lot from the worst of it though! Bit of a hole to dig out of now.

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Thursday 7th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£12120- £40 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

Played far too much yesterday. I need to find a “playing bet”, and I'm thinking maybe a version of the Draws bet that has been so successful, would tick many of the boxes. We'll see, starting today.

Dr Fremantle would have conditions more to suit than most his rivals today, despite drop in distance, and assuming the second fave stays in, a drifting 2/1 looks fair. I'm following the maiden Sight Unseen won, which gives us Tactic at Goodwood as well.

Dr Fremantle
Sight Unseen
Tactic
Dutch them £135 at better than Evens (so that 1 winner = money back; 2 winners = double bubble; and three winners plus the treble = luvverly jubberly).
£15 treble returning £700.


And we can do some midweek draws as well. I was going to sort out the three most likely play-off games, but we can throw in the Scottish derby, and have another crack at the play-offs tomorrow.

Rochdale/Gillingham £45 draw to return £150
Shrewsbury/Bury £45 draw to return £150
Hearts/Hibernian £45 draw to return £160
£15 treble draws to return £560


And there may be some mileage in the golf if you take Woods terrible course form into account and are prepared to take on Mickelson. So, strictly for interest:
Stenson/Kim/Villegas – all £10ew at 50/1





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £2115 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


The two big races at Chester offer possibilities. Cautious.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Wednesday 6th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£12360 - £40 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

I do like this Chester meeting, but this looks like a piddling about in the shallow end day.

Kings of Leo impressed at Warwick; and Jedi and Calypso Bay have positive notes against their names. They're all fair treading-water 20/80 type horses and a 'just in case' treble. Throw in Formax and the trebles get more tasty. His draw is terrible, but in the last few years several horses have defied the draw here, and at least we get the better price.




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £2115 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Backing overs at half-time last night at 1.33 seemed more than fair.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Tuesday 5th May


2009 Challenge Fund (£12360 - £160 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

Not much fun coming back from a nice break and having to update the spreadsheets with all the losers!

I'll spend today catching up on the videos and on my ratings.





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £2055 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


That golf bet's going to gnaw away at me for a while!

Sunday, May 03, 2009

Sunday 3rd May


2009 Challenge Fund (£12550 - £200 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

So, anyone else sweating on 10k+ should Nashmiah win?!

I'd best do a small hedge on an agonising second, and I'll add Cuis Ghaire to the portfolio despite this morning's weakness.

Salisbury 4:35 looks the place for a bet today though. Rajeh has his perfect conditions today and should give it a good go, and looks slightly underestimated. I'll throw a treble in as well.

Pavilicini's race yesterday paid a huge compliment to High Heeled for the Oaks. I'll start my portfolio there.

Football – a final value fling:

Rainbow View to beat Nashmiah £40 straight forecast
Cuis Ghaire £40 at 14/1
Rajeh £120 win at 5/2
Dark Mischief/Nawaadi/Rajeh £40 to return £1800
High Heeled win Oaks £40 at 25/1

Everton to beat Sunderland £45 to return £135
Charlton to beat Norwich £45 to return £160
Plymouth to beat Barnsley £45 to return £150
£15 treble to return £600


I'm off to Dorset for a couple of days – back Tuesday.





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £2275 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Think I will hedge a bit on the golf (thanks John), and protect this fund by using the above fund to do it, and add Zach Johnson to the portfolio.

Saturday, May 02, 2009

Saturday 2nd May


2009 Challenge Fund (£11960 - £240 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

Newmarket.

2000 Guineas looks a right mess. Throw your darts, cross your fingers, good luck.
We have Sea The Stars ante post at 25/1 and I added Gan Amhras at 16/1, and Lord Shanakill at 22/1 yesterday. I may also have a place bet on Monitor Closely who stays and will be ridden to grab a place late and this is a race where a big-price one usually hits the frame.

Bet of the day for me though is in the 4:55 – Palavicini – who had a nice pipeopener, and with Dunlop's improving for the run, in a race he likes, against a couple I think are over-rated, 6/1 looks worth a swipe.

At Thirsk Fantasy Land will win a maiden soon enough – whether it's today, with a couple of decent sorts in opposition who knows, but he should step up enough to get competitive.

I'll build some get rich quick bets around these and throw in Ramona Chase (dog but a jockey who may just get the bets out of it), and Chief Editor (going places and fit, but not really backable singly at the price in a big field ultra competitive race).

Football:
No draws today, but I've finally given in and taken a couple of stand out value end of season bets:
Millwall and Bristol Rovers, half of yesterday's four fold.

Sea The Stars £25 at 25/1
Gan Amhras £50 at 16/1
Lord Shanakill £50 at 22/1
Monitor Closely £20 place at 9/1

Palavicini £120 at 6/1 guaranteed
Fantasy Land £40 win at 7/1 and £80 place.
Palavicini/Fantasy Land – £10 trebles with Chief Editor. Ramona Chase. Sea The Stars. Gan Amhras. Chief Editor/Ramona Chase £10 trebles with Sea The Stars. Gan Amhras

Millwall £80 beat Carlisle at 11/4
Bristol Rovers £80 beat Hartlepool at 7/5




Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £2255 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)

That golf bet looks well dodgy now! (Kim not looking so shabby though, John)

Friday, May 01, 2009

Friday 1st May


2009 Challenge Fund (£12120 - £200 in play unaccounted)

Current stake - £120

Hyades hardly drifted yesterday – wish I'd taken that 11/8 early doors now!

Tomorrow's football throws up all of those ridiculous odds. I'm still not playing, though I will do an accumulator just in case, focusing on the bottom of the third tier.

Racing. I made a note months ago to back Muirhead for the race today. The problem is Meade's form, and a few other horses! Still, the price somewhat compels me to give it a go.

Muirhead £60ew at 8/1 (quarter odds)


Bristol R beat Hartlepool
Millwall beat Carlisle
Leicester beat Crewe
MK Dons beat Hereford
£40 to win £2k





Barking Bets (Banked £1375/Current fund £2215 – 1 bet in play unaccounted)


Made a big mistake yesterday – I've given myself the ritual kicking and it's now gone and forgotten so I won't comb through the ashes.

The price is truly horrid but does anyone seriously think the US golf is anything but over, with Woods and Mickelson so well set? 1.4