27 January 2015

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014 - 2015

The combination strategy paid dividends again in Saturday double-header from Cheltenham in the latest round of races in the GBR Fantasy Jumps Series.

172 points were earned through the combination of Many Clouds (4/1), jockey Leighton Aspell and trainer Oliver Sherwood in the BetBright Cup Chase. This was followed up later on the card with the trio of Saphir Du Rheu (3/1), Sam Twiston-Davies and Paul Nicholls earning over 90 points in the Cleeve Hurdle.

So, with nearly 300 points earned overall from the two races, our stable has moved inside the top 100.

07 January 2015

The practical realities of in-running betting

A link to the Racing Post's special report into the realities of on-course in-running betting operations and the pursuit of "as live" racing pictures:

Boxed in but ready to strike
http://www.racingpost.com/news/horse-racing/special-report-boxed-in-but-ready-to-strike/1802313/


05 January 2015

GBR Fantasy Jumps Series 2014-2015

Paul Nicholls and Unioniste (5/2) earned us 75 points for their win in the handicap chase at Sandown Park on Saturday. We missed out on the jockey's points because Noel Fehily was in the saddle and not Sam Twiston-Davies.

But a third place for Nicky Henderson's Triolo D'alene at 16/1 was also clearly a popular selections and our stable slipped around 50 places after all the points were totted up.

The series rolls on to Warwick next Saturday and the Betfred Classic Chase.

04 January 2015

Horseracing - sport or just a good day out?

In the New Year's newspapers one sports journalist listed his 10 hopes for sport in 2015.

One of the items on his list was the hope that "racing promotes itself as sport, not just a good day out."

He stated the statistic that the Jockey Club estimates "80% of racegoers have little or no knowledge about what they are seeing."

There was more to a day's racing than a few beers and bets.

It's an admirable hope but one that is likely to go unfulfilled this year. Getting fully immersed in horseracing takes a lot of time and effort: understanding the different types of races, the peaks and toughs of the racing calendar, the terminology, the equine form, the characters (equine and human) etc.

The fact that there is racing nearly everyday of the year makes it difficult and time consuming for all but the most dedicated enthusiast to keep up with daily racing developments.

In addition, unless you subscribe to the satellite racing channels, it is also hard to watch racing on a regular/daily basis (even if you weren't at work during the day) as a means of improving your understanding when you go to the racecourse.

It is, therefore, inevitable, that most racegoers will be at the racecourse for a good day out rather than a passion for the sport of racing. They maybe visit their local track a few times per year, seeing completely different horses (and possibly jockeys) on each occasion and perhaps watch one or two other days of racing on television (Grand National, Epsom Derby) throughout the rest of the year. Under these circumstances it is hard to improve one's real appreciation for the nuances of the sport of racing or build up an affinity for certain horses, jockeys or trainers.

One suggestion: display information around the parade ring at racecourses as to what to look for in a fit and healthy racehorse, such as suggested in the article below.

http://turfaccounts.blogspot.com/2013/11/go-racing-and-get-edge.html