Racing - Saturday 31st March

Ascot 3:05
Boychuk 4/6
Gentleman Jimmy 9/2
Always Waining 9/2

Gentleman Jimmy always seems well backed. He jumped badly when I backed him at Ascot last time, but he does have a big weight advantage. I can't get excited but may dabble late on.


Ascot 4:15
Bishops Bridge 5/1
Tamarinbleu 6/1
Bohemian Spirit 7/1
Kalca Mome 16/1
Magic Sky 16/1
Misty Dancer 16/1

A right bunch of dodgepots (and I'd include Tamarinbleu in that). Bishops Bridge is solid, but at the prices yet again I'm rowing in with Bohemian Spirit. He has collected once this year, but cost me others. Rose Davidson always likely to pull defeat out of the claws of victory as well, so will also find an ew double.

Bohemian Spirit 5pts win at 14/1 (12/1 ok).


Ascot 5:25
Warningcamp 4/1
Motorway 6/1
Predator 11/1
Earth Man 11/1
Romany Prince 20/1
First Row 20/1

The front two look unexposed and fresh and that's good enough for me to at least play late on them both.


Newcastle 3:55
Rio Riva 7/1
Gentlemans Deal 7/1
Very Wise 11/1
Tanzanite 11/1
My Paris 16/1
Raptor 20/1
Bolodenka 20/1
Crooked Throw 20/1
Granston 20/1
Rain Stops Play 20/1
Zero Tolerance 33/1
Yarqus 33/1
Blythe Knight 33/1

Typical Lincoln. I've been with Pricewise in being all over Rio Riva for this ante post (16s and down). And despite worries about the draw I'm still keen. 8s is still fair if you missed bigger so I'll put up a mythical 5 pointer.

Rio Riva 5pts win at 8/1

Racing - Ascot 30th March

Ascot 2:55
Royal Shakespeare 5/4
Lord Henry 5/4
Woodhouse 11/1

I've been against Royal Shakespeare all season and it's paid dividends. This may be the end of the road but if Lord Henry can get into a decent rhythm in front he could get Shakespeare at it. I'll keep Woodhouse on-side with a point.

Lord Henry 8pts win at 13/8 (6/4 ok).



Ascot 4:05
Rakalackey 7/2
Ballyfinney 4/1
Kitski 9/2
Dream Alliance 7/1
Bengo 7/1

The Irish raider merits attention. In fact there's an Irish raider in each of the first three races covered here - I'll do a 1pt treble just in case they wipe the floor with us. Ferdy Murphy is very hard to pin down but taken at face value he wants Kitski to win here to get him into the Irish National. His Thyestes Chase form is noteworthy and despite being in and out, and weak this morning, I'm inclined to play.

Kitski 4pts win at 13/2+


Ascot 4:40
The Dark Lord 8/1
Supreme Catch 8/1
Eljays Boy 8/1
Free Gift 8/1
he's The Gaffer 8/1
Stern 8/1
Sky Warrior 8/1
Forest Leaves 8/1

Ok, so really I should have tweaked these around the margins to make it look like a proper tissue. Tough - they all have chances and failings. I'll probably play 3pts on the race taking the double figure priced horses.


Ascot 5:15
Abragante 4/1
Minella Tipperary 11/2
Mikado 9/1
Nobel 9/1
Make it a Double 9/1

Another sketchy tissue. Not keen on the race. May dabble with the last two, depending on how I'm feeling by the end of the day.

Weekend Football

Burnley 5pts beat Luton at Evens

Wolves 5pts beat Southampton at 5/4 (11/10 Ok)

Bristol City 5pts beat Nottm forest at 5/4

Millwall 5pts beat Swansea at 6/4 (7/5 ok)

Boston 5pts beat Bury at 6/5

Racing - Ssaturday 24 March

Not an inspiring day.

Newbury 2:25
Alderburn 8/1
Out The Black 8/1
Brumous 8/1
Kenzo 111 12/1
Nirvana Swing 12/1
Alexanderthegreat 12/1
latimers Place 25/1
Avitta 25/1
Merchants Friend 25/1
Harrycone Lewis 25/1

Open race. Prices suggest no action. May dabble at late odds, but for here, no bet.


Lingfield 3:15
Alfie Flits 11/2
Blue Bajan 11/2
Gentlemans Deal 11/2
Cimyla 9/1
Cusoon 9/1
Illustrious Blue 11/1
Orchard Supreme 12/1
Grand Passion 20/1
Mighty 20/1

I took the 12s on Alfie Flits earlier in the week. He looks short now for a horse with a lot to prove over the distance! A sand-playing friend likes Gentleman's Deal if he grabs the race by the scruff of the neck, and Cimyla should there be no pace. Orchard Supreme is in my stable and has done well by me this winter. I'll play 1pt ew or maybe place only betfair on him nicking a place. Can't really recommend anything this morning though.


Lingfield 3:50
Border Music 6/1
Maltese Falcon 6/1
King Orchisios 6/1
Fyodor 7/1
Qadar 9/1
Exccusez Moi 9/1
Woodnook 9/1
Celtic Mill 20/1

There's definitely a way into this race if you believe King Orchisios and Maltese Falcon are going to cut each others throats vying for the lead from wide draws. Finding a horse to profit isn't obvious to be honest. However my eye keeps being drawn to Woodnook, if Egan can conjure up a late run from the inside draw. Qadar could also stay on late but it would need to be carnage up front for him to get there in time over 5f.

Woodnook 4pts win at 16/1+

Racing - Friday 23rd March

Newbury 3:15
Petitjean 6/4
Black Hills 11/2
Pretty Star 8/1
Art Virginia 8/1
Always Waining 8/1
Monteforte 12/1

Petitjean is in my "stable" and has done really well this year. Up a stone on a course that I'm not sure ideally suits and he could be vulnerable here. I'm not keen on deserting him but can afford to miss him winning at 6/4. I'll play in some small way, concentrating on my front two to my normal 3pts, but for here - no bet.


Newbury 5:00
Fleet Street 6/1
Priors Dale 6/1
Kanad 7/1
Ellerslie Tom 9/1
Iffy 9/1
Anticipating 9/1

The front two look vulnerable and indeed all the runners have some doubts about them. 2m on good ground suits Kanad perfectly and his Ludlow form shows up well. On the other hand this track may be a bit galloping and he was pulled up last time. Even so, he looks long this morning if you're of a forgiving mind. I think I'll play.

Kanad 5pts win at 14/1+

Weekend Football - 23-25th March

Friday:
Mansfield 5pts beat Macclesfield at 11/10 (best football bet of weekend - Evens acceptable)

Saturday:
Bournemouth 5pts beat Tranmere at 13/8+

Millwall (away) 5pts beat Port Vale at 11/5 (2/1 acceptable)


Sunday:
MK Dons 5pts beat Walsall at 5/4

Welcome

I've noticed an increase in hits this week, so welcome to any old Reigatians who have popped in for a look around after my article the other week.

I imagine to a non-gambler a lot of what is here appears to be in a foreign language. Indeed, someone e-mailed me to ask me what they should be doing if they wanted to follow the recommendations.

I'd say there's three approaches normally adopted.

1) The fun approach. Some people drop in on the bigger days. The Grand National, Derby, FA Cup final and such like. Just to see what I'm backing as an aid for their annual flutter.

2) The "intuitive" approach. Plenty of people use this as another source of information. They wander the internet collecting as many opinions as possible and take or leave what I offer. Some close friends like to back what they consider to be my strongest bets. They seem to decide on this in a rather haphazard way but some of them do extraordinarily well at picking the winners and avoiding the losers!

3) The methodical approach. It is certainly possible and profitable to follow the selections blind. Somebody asked me how much they should be staking per "point". That is of course entirely up to them, their savings and attitude to risk. I suggested to one friend who wanted to have a daily flutter that she set aside a modest £500 and bet £1 per point. That's actually a slightly more aggressive stance than I take (taking stake as a proportion of the fund). It's also pretty much where I started from 10 years ago - small acorns and all that.

To profit you need to take at least the price recommended. I can't stress this enough. The picks in themselves at any price WILL NOT make you a profit. The margins in this game are tight and you need to be getting as close to the best price available as possible. For a small-time player this can be difficult. I have access to well over 30 betting accounts all over the place to get best prices. Probably the best solution is to sign up to www.betfair.com Unfortunately the place is very confusing and not a little daunting for the novice punter. Instead try www.oddschecker.com as a site to direct you to best prices. Or just open a Ladbrokes account but only bet if you can get at least the price I recommend. This will reduce the bets you make.

I nearly always post in the mornings, so lunch-time is probably the best time to drop in.

From now on, to help any novices I will add two things to my recommendations. Firstly I will indicate where I think this is a really good bet for the fun bettor, or where I think it offers exceptional value. And secondly, I will suggest a minimum price for those unable to shop around.

Any questions, leave a comment. Or if too embarrassed to do that, drop me a line.

Finally, remember that I have some terrible losing runs!

Racing - Weds 21st March

Lingfield 4:00
Bible Lord 3/1
Gentleman Jimmy 11/2
Coach Lane 11/2
The Hardy Boy 9/1
Dunsfold Duke 9/1

Bible Lord may not have beaten much last time but he did it well. He looks to be up against some dodgepots here, and Coach Lane who you'd have to worry about the trip, though the fact that Venetia perseveres is interesting. He's weak this morning and may drift. I'll play nevertheless.

Bible Lord 6pts win at 4/1+

Racing - March 20th

Exeter 3:20
Maljimar 7/4
From Dawn to Dusk 11/2
Bring Me Sunshine 10/1
Bowleaze 10/1
Idris 10/1
Wild is the Wind 10/1

A lot of these seem to be coming back off breaks ready for a Spring campaign. They may or may not be tuned up for this. The solid one is Maljimar who I backed when winning nicely at Newbury and I'm inclined to follow him until beaten, even if he isn't strictly value on my tissue.

Maljimar 5pts win at 7/4



Warwick 2:40
Dream Alliance 9/4
Classified 3/1
Patman Du charmil 3/1
Rowlands Dream 4/1

An unsatisfactory tissue. I'm not mad about the favourite who I've backed a couple of times only to see him fly off far too fast and run himself to a standstill. This is probably the day he'll be ridden sensibly and the going will help but I'm not interested at the price. Not helped by Hobbs's record round here with his chasers (0-19). Rowlands Dream hasn't looked up to much and I couldn't back an Alner horse at the moment. Which leaves us with a topweight who looks too old to take to chasing but down in class, and a dodgepot over a distance too far but receiving buckets of weight. Mmmm. The race screams 'leave me alone'! I have a feeling I'll play Classified and Patman as the outsiders of a dodgy bunch of four.

Golf - Madeira

We've been quiet on the golf front, and can't see much reason to get heavily involved this week either.

However, we will throw one name into the hat in a very low-key event.

Robert-Jan Derksen 1pt ew at 28/1

Also, this event has gone to someone who finished in the top 25 the previous year in 7 of the last 8 years. I'm not one for slavishly following stats, but I will be looking at that in-running.

Six Nations

Our only bet on the rugby - Italy to kick most drop goals at 10/1 - looked dead and buried until this afternoon. Then for a while it was a great winner, and then a late England drop gave us an honourable dead-heat and a very decent return on one of the best value bets of the year.

The only downside was the limits placed on the bet by the bookmakers involved!

Racing - Saturday 17th March

Back to normal today!

Uttoxeter 3:15
Nil Desperandum 13/2
Jaunty Times 9/1
GVA Ireland 10/1
Newbay Prop 10/1
Keepatem 12/1
Jaqouille 12/1
Parkinson 16/1
Ladalko 16/1
Take the Stand 16/1
Garryvoe 16/1
In Accord 20/1
The Outlier 33/1
Baron Windrush 33/1

The national fave and some Irish raiders, an interesting renewal. A race I struggle with and looking at my tissue I can see why! What I know about Jaunty Times is he stays and stays and stays and this should be right up his street. Intriguing that Johnson's on the other Daly runner though. I'll do a small forecast and keep In Accord on-side. I can't be doing with my price for Take The Stand. On the other hand he is tumbling down the weights. Umm, let's go for:

Jaunty Times 3pts win at 14/1+
Take The Stand 1pt ew at 66/1


Wetherby 3:35
Loulou Nivernais 9/4
Theatre Knight 11/2
Kerry Lads 9/1
Silver Knight 9/1

A race that revolves around the favourite. I have a feeling that today's the day people are going to get after Loulou, up 40lbs since starting his winning run. But if you saw his last run at Newcastle you'll see he had tons in hand. It's one of those calls and at the price I'm happy to take the chance on him, especially as the contenders are not the type I ever consider backing.

Loulou Nivervais 5pts win at 10/3


Lingfield 4:25
Very Wise 3/1
Happy as larry 7/1
Pagan Sword 11/1
Fusili 20/1

This looks a much weaker race than the one Orchard Supreme won last time. Very Wise was heavily backed that day before getting stuck in the stalls. He was shorter than 3/1 by the off, so I can't help but be drawn by the 3/1 on offer here.

Very Wise 5pts win at 3/1

Cheltenham - Friday

With the losses of January and February well behind me after yesterday's happenings, I have a spring in my step for the last day of the festival. Need to be careful I don't fritter. Luckily I have the two main races well covered ante post.

2:00 Triumph
Lounaos 5/1
Katchit 6/1
Degas Art 10/1
Duty 10/1
Liberate 10/1
Punjabi 10/1
Mountain 11/1
Convincing 33/1
Counting House 33/1
lightning Strike 33/1
Poquelin 33/1

I have the front two nicely tucked away at double figures, and Degas Art and Liberate covered also. I even have a voucher on the winner having had his first start after Jan 1st which looks to cover most the rest. So no need to play this morning. The ground may be the making of Degas Art.


2:35 Brit Hurdle
Wichita Lineman 3/1
Flight Leader 9/2
Black harry 8/1
Hairy Molly 12/1
Chief dan George 25/1
Leading Run 25/1
Head Held High 33/1

I was going to have a real good thump against the favourite here unti the ground dried. Not that I have anything against him, just that I thought Flight Leader should be at least joint favourite. My enthusiasm is tempered slightly, but that run against Inglis Drever and Blazing Bailey doesn't look shabby this morning.

Flight Leader 5pts win at 13/2


3:15 Gold Cup
Kauto Star 2/1
Exotic dancer 4/1
State of Play 7/1
Forget the Past 20/1
Monkerhostin 25/1
My Will 25/1
Idle talk 33/1
Turpin Green 33/1
Cane Brake 50/1

I've been prepared to back Kauto Star at odds on all his races this year. He's the Roger Federer of chasing as far as I'm concerned. The problem is this looks like being his French Open. Track, trip, field-size all conspire to make this a real challenge for him. If I wasn't loaded up on some of the others I'd be really hoping for him to win anyway.

If you think he'll fall there's some juicy each way prices about some of the forgotten horses and plodders. Personally I have a pretty large ante post ew double running onto Exotic Dancer from Inglis Drever, and most the rest of the field well covered.


4:40 Grand Annual.
No prices. I read that Henderson thinks he's left Greenhope a bit short, which is a shame as I took him earlier in the week to repeat last year. I stillthink 20/1+ looks big.

5:20 County Hurdle
I can see why Pricewise is trying to fire his way out of trouble with Arcalis. I all but foresaw that last night and had a piece before the fancy prices went. 20/1 plus is still available though. Pedrobob and Papini at a big price are a couple of many I also like.

Football - Weekend 17th March

I've been struggling to keep on top of the football (and golf) this week. Still, here are 5 for Saturday.

Middlesborough 5pts win at Evens

Norwich 5pts win at 6/4

Preston 5pts win at 8/11

Crewe 5pts win at 2/1

Port Vale 5pts win at 7/5

Cheltenham - Thursday

Not exactly flying so far - a late bet on the drifiting Burntoakboy saved my bacon yesterday and that Ezabayin bet is all that's keeping me ahead. Today isn't exactly the day to get going either with four ridiculous races. - which I won't bother to bore you with the tissues - suffice to say they are wide open.

2:35 Ryanair
Monets Garden 3/1
Taranis 7/2
Racing Demon 8/1
Our Vic 7/1
Too Forward 10/1
Thisthatandtother 20/1

Given my antipathy towards Racing Demon and Our Vic here there should be juice and I think it lies in the form of Taranis. These horses that love the track and trip are always worth siding with. Trying to give 10lbs to Exotic Dancer looks good now too, and he gets the allowances here as well. Monets Garden is a good horse but his popularity always counts against him value-wise, especially as he's failed on the big occasion a few times now.

Taranis 6pts win at 9/2


3:15 World Hurdle
Inglis Drever 4/1
Mighty Man 4/1
Black Jack Ketchum 7/1
Blazing Bailey 7/1
Kasbah Bliss 9/1
Overstrand 16/1

Just as well I'm not a bookie on those prices. BJK could make me look silly but I'm used to that - ask Denman! I've always been a big fan of Inglis and despite his weakness will stick with him - on ante post also, as I am with Kasbah Bliss, (and Temoin - a piece of nonsense I blame Pricewise for). If an outsider were to spoil the party Overstrand's trainer has proven he has something up his sleeve. Anything but Black Jack then!


The other races:
2:00 I can hardly cross any out so competitive is this. That said New Little Brick looked a wonder horse at Sandown and only has to give a stone or so to the "plot" horses. The one lurker I'll throw a dart at is L'antartique ew at 28/1

4:00 Opera Mundi, as Nicholls says, looks like an unexposed chaser taking on thoroughly exposed horses. 5/1 looks skinny enough though. I can't get excited about anything else though. Gallant Approach looks to have been laid out for another crack at this.

4:40 Gungadu - it doesn't look like Harry's playing up his million. Good horse, can jump left or right or indeed through, but has an engine. Ground probably quick enough. I thought he was struggling to get home at Newbury last time. Enough chinks. Finding anything to take him on with isn't easy though - Nine De Savola, Miko De Beuchene and Not Left Yet possible.

5:20 Pertemps isn't my race but I get stuck in every year anyway. This year's two are at least both genuine and proven on the course. Monolith and Material World.

Cheltenham - Wednesday

2:00 Ballymore Novices
Aran Concerto 5/2
Catch Me 7/1
Silverburn 7/1
Du De regniere 8/1
My Turn Mow 8/1
Scotsirish 9/1
Tidal Bay 16/1

I won't be finding another 400/1 winner in this one, but I am on Willie Mullins again, having taken Scotsirish at 25/1 a while back. He would also set off a big Mullins treble for today so here's to travelling hopefully! The ground is good and getting faster. Ex-flat horses are back in the game. If I was to add to my portfolio late on Catch Me and Duc De Regniere would be most likely. Scotsirish is still just about backable this morning though so I'll add a fictional bet for the blog's sake.

Scotsirish 3pts win at 14/1


2:35 Royal Sunalliance Chase
Denman 9/4
caillan Alainn 7/1
Snowy Morning 8/1
Ungaro 8/1
Dom D'Orgeval 9/1
Turko 9/1
Aces Four 25/1
Patsy Hall 25/1

I've been opposing Denman all season. And am now regretting it! Harry Findlay has forced the price down to an absurd level - good luck to him, but I had to play my prices. I now have a stack of vouchers on most of those named. At this morning's prices there are still two that look too big to me. Turko I've liked all year, despite the jumping, and Ungaro for me has just about the best form on show and the ground looks to have come right. I don't need to go in again, but as above I'll pretend I have for the blog.

Ungaro 3pts win at 12/1
Turko 3pts win at 20/1



3:15 Queen Mum
Well chief 6/4
Newmill 7/2
Voy Per Ustedes 6/1
Ashley Brook 12/1
Dempsey 16/1
Justified 20/1

Newmill owes me nothing and I'm on at 6s. Dempsey was actually my bigger bet last year before his fall, and I've kept him on-side again at 40s. Ashley Brook also sems to be in my portfolio at worse than this morning's odds and to be honest I can't see it. Well Chief probably has this sewn up though so I'm in no rush to go in again oppsoing him. And if he fails Alan King does wonderfully well preparing his stable stars.


4:00 Coral Cup
No worthwhile tissue. However I'm going to play the Henderson horses here. I thought All Star would be the third-string, but he looks first-string on jockey bookings which is intriguing, and the way Henderson fires them in year after year at Cheltenham, and with the ground coming right... Forecasts and tricasts and all.

Rose Davidson makes me smile every time she rides and made me a small fortune a couple of seasons ago so who am I to desert Rayshan at 66/1 each way?


4:40 Kim Muir
Again no worthwhile tissue - something like 20/1 each of 14, but I do have Darby Wall as clear favourite based on his two course wins on good going. He's been kept to shorter since and will do for me with Nina up in a hopelessly open race. I have a small sum on at 50/1 and think I'll top up this morning.

Football 12th March

Not sure how I've found time to do this and it may have been a rushed mistake but there are four Championship matches tonight worth playing in.

Leicester 5pts beat Leeds at Evens

Luton 5pts beat Hull at 13/10

Preston 5pts beat Ipswich at 10/11

Southampton 5pts beat Cardiff at 11/10

Cheltenham - Tuesday

A strange first day. Two rubbish races at the end and solid markets in the first three where I am already pretty much committed.

2:00 Supreme Novices
Amaretto Rose 3/1
De Soto 9/1
Granit Jack 9/1
Hide the Evidence 9/1
Tipperary All Stay 11/1
De valira 12/1
Kicks for Free 25/1
Orbit O'Gold 25/1
Rindoon 25/1
Tyson 25/1
Wins Now 25/1

It'll be interesting to see just how tired they get here. I have an antepost voucher on Amaretto Rose at 8s, Hide The Evidence at a disappointing 10s, and Osana at 33s (oops). I also have Tyson for pennies at 70s and Ebazaiyan at 400s for all the good it will do me!

Looking at this morning's prices there does seem to be a play on one either side of the water, on horses who need forgiving a run, which I've pretty much done in my pricing.

De Soto 3pts win at 16/1
Tipperary All Star 3pts win at 20/1+


2:35 Arkle
Fair Along 3/1
My Way de Solzen 4/1
Don't Push It 7/1
Buena Vista 11/1
Lennon 20/1
Twist Magic 20/1
Tidal Fury 20/1
Jack the Giant 20/1

I have Fair Along at 10s, (and Twist Magic and Lennon at prices that look average now). As long as the ground isn't too bad I don't see a reason to desert Fair Along. He bounded up the hill when he beat My Way de Solzen at Sandown and all being well he'll repeat the feat here. I think the 7/2 available is fair and you may yet get better if he drifts. I'll admit in my mind's eye I see something coming and beating him on the run-in which is why I'll probably stick with my 10s and hope rather than diving in again.


3:15 Champion Hurdle
Detroit City 9/4
Hardy Eustace 11/4
Brave Inca 9/2
Iktitaf 20/1
Asian Maze 20/1
I won't tell you what price I have Iktitaf at, suffice to say it's single figures. And I still think he could surprise them! In reality this race's been done to death. I priced this up a week ago like this, which meant I was able to have a decent bet on Hardy Eustace at 5s, which was definitely too long. He's the best hurdler, has the T-shirt and was giving a strange ride in the non-race against Detroit City. The latter may well beat him today and I'd cheer him if he did. No bet this morning.



4:00 WH Chase
Little Brick 7/1
Juveigneur 10/1
New Alco 10/1
Rambling Minster 10/1
D'argent 12/1
Heez a Dreamer 16/1
Irish Raptor 16/1
Heltornic 20/1
Distant Thunder 20/1
Lacdoudal 33/1
Commercial flyer 33/1
Mon Mome 33/1
Gallant Approach 33/1
All in the Stars 50/1

All the old faves here. New Alco is in most of my each way multiples. The only price that stands out this morning is D'argent. Taking New Alco's price as a guide you'd have to say he's wrongly priced. Of course you have to forgive last time out, but frankly I thought that was just too far. He was strong in the betting when he won and is noticeably weak this morning. It may be that he was primed for just the one run. Still, at 33/1 I can afford to have a throw. I think I'll avoid each way - 13 short-listed and he was pulled up last time. May live to regret it though!

D'Argent 3pts win at 33/1

The calm of the evening.

In the eighties and nineties, when I was still a mug or enthusiastic amateur, and lived in Bristol, I used to attend all three days of the festival. And do all the usual stuff. And at the end of the week I'd work out in horror how much money I'd lost. And then start planning the following year's attendance.

I worked in an office in those years and I'd usually take the week off work, and I can safely say today - the Monday - always used to be one of my favourite days of the year. The beauty of travelling hopefully over the reality of arriving. I'd carefully arrange all my ante post betting vouchers - full though they were of dead runners, non runners, runners in the wrong race, and just hopeless runners. And dream of what was to come.

There was a Tuesday ritual as well. After the Champion Hurdle each year I would offer up all those (now losing) slips to the god of Cleeve Hill.

In the early nineties I once went three whole years without backing a single winner. Not one. Which I think you'll agree is a pretty impressive effort. One year I had three sphincter-tightening bets on one Wednesday (always my favourite day). They all came second. And I had busted a bank it had taken me all year to amass.

I was staying with my brother-in-law in a house on Cleeve Hill above the racecourse, and for two hours I sat in the darkness with a hipflask. Shaking. I then threw my notebook away - the one I'd started in October the year before - the one that contained all six winners of the Sun Alliance by November. I hurled it off the hill towards the track, and vowed there and then that I'd stop betting like a mug and learn how to beat the game.

And here I am nigh on 15 years later. Full-time. Not attending as I need to be here picking the prices; not enjoying a day's holiday and its sweet anticipation; not getting ready to bet like a fool and party like an irishman. Is it worth it? Of course it is!

For what it's worth I think I probably attended during the golden years. The addition of the fourth day was based on greed and has thrown the festival off of its perch as the almost perfectly designed sporting experience.

After the horrors of January and February, this week is looking pretty critical to my year's profits. I already have plenty (too many) vouchers in play. Some races I look to be in a good position - Supreme Novices and the Arkle for example, whereas in others I'm already in a mess (The Royal and Sun Alliance - historically my best race).

On Wednesday last year I had a day to remember. Nicanor was a small winner to set me off, I then collected on two 33/1 vouchers when Star de Mohaison and Newmill won, and followed it up with You're Special at 40/1. Not a day to come around again any time soon. But here's hoping!

Racing - Weekend 10th March

I think I'll keep my powder dry Saturday for Cheltenham.

I have some fancy ante post vouchers but I have to say I don't have any strong feelings about any horse this year. Looking at current prices I do seem to keep on looking at the same names as decent each way shouts. With non runner no bet concessions, let's have a fun foursome, at prices with a pleasing symmetry.

Osana - Supreme Novices 10/1

Scotsirish - Ballymore Novices 10/1

New Alco - WH Chase 10/1

Monolith - Pertemps 10/1

6 x half point ew doubles
1 x half point ew treble

Football - Weekend 10th March

I think I may well play Blackburn and Plymouth in the FA Cup, but will stick to the ratings for on here.

Millwall 5pts beat Carlisle at Evens

Scunthorpe 5pts beat Nottingham Forest at 5/4

Rochdale 5pts beat Darlington at 6/4

Wolves 5pts beat WBA at 6/4

Racing - Wincanton 8th March

Wincanton 4:25
Petitjean 13/8
Le Rochelais 9/1
Supreme Catch 9/1
Alphabetical 10/1
Gastornis 10/1

Rock solid favourite. Very impressive winning over the course first time out, and caught two tartars thereafter. The remainder all have doubts.

Petitjean 6pts win at 2/1

Monthly Summary

February wasn't as brutal as January, but still a major disappointment on the racing front. Cheltenham is shaping up as a critical week. Given that racing stats have only been serious on here since the start of the year, when I left escorial, they have had a terrible effect on the blog's profit line. That golden 10% looks a distant memory, and it'll take some work to get back there.


Football - overall
Out 1584
In 1701
% returns 107%


Racing - jumps season
Out 888
In 776
% returns - 87%


All bets since inception
Out 2948
In 3008
% returns 102%


All bets 2007
Out 494
In 416
% returns 84%

Racing - Saturday 3rd March

I have only listed the races where I've found early morning bets.

Newbury 2:10
Officier De Reserve 6/4
Maljimar 3/1
Glimmer of Light 9/1
Wake Up Smiling 9/1

The Nicholls horse was impressive enough Monday and you get the feeling he fully expects to win this. The prices overly reflect this confidence though and Maljimar looks the one who should be shorter. There is a hint that he may keep something for himself but I haven't seen that as yet personally.

Maljimar 6pts win at 4/1


Newbury 3:15
Flying Enterprise 4/1
Kalca Mome 6/1
No Full 7/1
Nozic 7/1
Supreme Prince 8/1
Marcel 8/1
Madison du Berlais 20/1
Fundamentalist 20/1

A race to get stuck into - given Nozic's price and that I took Flying Enterprise mid-week at 8s. He remains my (and everyone else's) idea of the winner, but with that in the bag, I am now able to play again on the remaining two who look stand-out prices. Kalca Mome looks to me to be in need of this extra distance now and if this turns into a slog as per the Racing Post Chase last week he looks like the Simon in the pack. No Full only needs to be forgiven his last run and his trainer may finally be putting some consistent form together.


Kalca Mome 4pts win at 9/1
No Full 4pts win at 13/1


Newbury 3:50
Orcadian 9/2
French Saluaie 11/2
Paddys turn 11/2
Picot de Say 11/2
White on Black 7/1
Blaeberry 9/1

I wouldn't normally back early in a race like this, that looks very open and tricky. However I kept looking at the 8/1 Ladbrokes put up on White on Black. He's not run this season, but the trainer is in top form and says he's raring to go. The challengers aren't exactly frightening. Paddy Power have a guaranteed best price, so I'll dive in early.

White on Black 3pts win at 14/1


Kempton and Kelso both look difficult and the lower grade Nationals have never been good to me. I'll have a go at a very winnable Scoop6 instead.

Football - Weekend 3rd March

Fulham 5pts beat Aston Villa at 11/8

Liverpool 5pts beat Man Utd at 7/4

Plymouth 5pts beat Stoke at 13/10

Port Vale 5pts beat Yeovil at 7/4

Hartlepool 5pts beat Hereford at 8/13

Sunday - Birmingham 5pts beat Cardiff at 10/11

Monday - Preston 5pts beat Southampton at 5/4