Even missing the family fun days

Easter weekend and it is the Plumpton 'Easter Festival'.  I have been going for the past 30 plus years, but for the second year running there is no trudge from the station along the footpath covered in dog shit (it's against the law to pick up in Plumpton - dog owners there do not even put their hound's poo in a pink plastic bag and hang it from a bush) but absence really is making the heart grow fonder. 

Yes the 'family fun day theme' is irritating, with longer queues for the face paintings, trampolines and the roundabout than for the tote. I will even miss trying to get your monkey on the shortening favourite as the bookie patiently explains to the woman (yes sorry it is always a woman) in front of you that having £1 each way on the even money favourite is probably not a good bet , and no £1 is not enough.

The quality of the racing has improved a bit over the years, with the Sussex 'Champion Hurdle' attracting a  good class of horse, but is still generally of lower grade than in mid winter.

I remember winning a fair sum backing Stormhill Pilgrim to win a 3 runner novice chase at this fixture back in 1997. I cannot however now remember why I fancied him to beat the 1/7 on favourite Lively Knight, who it subsequently turned out had been doped! 

Apart from that success (which obviously was not down to any skill - or honestly gov and for the record inside information -on my part) the races at Easter at Plumpton have tended to go to favourites who I could not bring myself to back. 

I will watch this afternoon's action - after a traditional leg of lamb for Sunday lunch - but with only very limited punting interest with small stakes bets on outsiders Gibraltarian (2.26) and Sacre Coeur (3.26), and  a mad combination trifecta Andapa, Clonusker Lady and Sixties Secret (4.31). Just for an interest you know.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

5 for tomorrow - Grooveur has given me too much confidence!

2.05 Uttoxeter - Oski  is an utter dodge pot but is surely an each way bet to nothing? Maybe put in the forecast with Beaufort West? 2.40 Uttoxeter - Barney Bateleur is going to win over fences and this is a hurdle race so small stake only but I think Stormy Flight is handicapped to win it. Again maybe dutch them and a small dual forecast. 3.10 Uttoxeter- Susy Smith has gone all the way to the (north) midlands to run Animal. I think this horse will win again one day. Currently 6/1. 5.10 Ffos Las- Saddlers Quest. Came 5th at 100/1 under a "quiet" ride at the same track on 4 February. Should be of interest in a handicap (which this is). Sorry some of them are in the same races.
Read more

Restricting - Sorry Sir we do not want your business

Last year - before 'lockdown' obviously - I was invited by Racing UK (Racing TV as it is now) to a kind of focus group. We probably did not meet the usual diversity criteria. Basically we were all white men aged in our 50's and 60's, which I suspect makes up a considerable portion of the Racing TV subscribers. We were asked to introduce ourselves and detail our interests in racing and betting. What then followed was each of us in turn describing how we watch and bet - followed by tales of how various bookmakers restrict us. To be honest there may have been a small bit of boasting going on - "I've been banned by more bookmakers than you" - but there is little doubt that our collective experience was that if a punter shows a degree of skill in his wagering then the bookies do not want your business. I thought it might be interesting to report my experience of being restricted. My local Ladbrokes betting shop were promoting their Grid card (similar to a super...
Read more

How to bet on freemasons with sticks

Ok golf is not exactly my favourite sport - better than motor racing and ice skating maybe but apart from the Open and the Masters I struggle to take much interest. Those clothes, the saloon bar image, the rather old fashioned attitudes to women, shorts and wearing jeans, and now players and clubs which enable the top players to hit the ball so far that the best courses are no longer a challenge. In my previous job there were always a significant number of keen golfers who took every opportunity to play the sport which us non-participants called 'freemasons with sticks' (as it happens with some justification. I do though occasionally have a bet on it though. It is one of the few sports where there are regular 100/1 winners and even Tiger Woods in his pomp would go off 3/1 plus. Obviously at those prices picking the winner is difficult but there are some factors which can help. Golf is very much a form game with players having hot (and cold) streaks). The trick is to spot the pl...
Read more