My punting week - episode 1

He is not everyone's cup of tea but I admire Richard Birch's honesty in his column describing his punting week published in Racing and Football Outlook. He is an eccentric chap. I will never forget the extraordinary strides, a kind of extremely baggy set of beige combats, combined with black slip on shoes, which "Birchy" wore to present the prize in the race he sponsors at Footwell in memory of his parents. In his little speech he spoke movingly of his love for his mum and dad and his love for gambling, hence the sponsorship of the race and my respect for him.

With the Guineas only nine days way, and Mark Howard's terrific 'Ahead on the Flat' arriving through my door, it seemed the right time for me to produce a weekly round-up of bets and thoughts on gambling, for my own amusement and discipline - and maybe someone else will like it.

It was great to see racing at Brighton back with an evening fixture last Saturday. I am not sure that late kick offs suit the track, as it ensures none of the public areas are in the sun but with no crowds to freeze this time perhaps it did not matter.

I had feared that the Convids might be the excuse some were looking for to close the track. It is owned by the local council, which has a Green Party Administration, many of whose councillors think horse racing should be banned. However ARC who run the track in a long term agreement with the local authority have reiterated their commitment.

The racing is low class. I remember watching a horse Andrew Balding had described as the worst he had ever trained, leading at the furlong pole but appearing to be running on the spot. I thought he was sure to be overtaken but looking at the other runners they appeared to be going backwards and he hung on to win - and I am pretty sure was never seen again. 

But against that the track's unique switchback, dips, road crossing, very fast 5 furlong to 1 furlong and then uphill final 100 yards produces course specialists who regulars really take to - Belper (with his one eye), the great and recently departed Roy Rocket and the still going strong Pour la Victoire to name just three. 

My favourite punting strategy is to oppose any horse at a short price (no matter its form or the high profile of its ownership/trainer) if it has never run at Brighton before, and to back any horse with winning form at the track even if it has been running badly elsewhere.

One course I have never been to is Windsor. By all accounts the Monday evening fixtures are lively affairs (unlike at Brighton the sun does shine on racegoers). Racing resumed again there this week on 'the famous Windsor loop' according to the commentator. This made me sorry to have not gone there when there was still jump racing over a figure of eight. Only Fontwell still has that set up and I never get my punting right there.

Charlie Mann the trainer has retired. I saw him once at an airport in central France dressed as what I can only describe as a 'dandy.' He gave a most amusing interview to the Racing Post last weekend and I would certainly buy his autobiography if he wrote one.

Boy did I enjoy the controversy over the Rab Havlin ride on the Gosden second string in a maiden at Lingfield on Wednesday. It was a non-trier and would have won if Havlin had made any sort of effort. John (or was it Thady?) Godson's defence was that the horse has a high leg action and needed tender handling and a hands and heels ride - so that's ok! The twitter warriors claimed we should have been told this beforehand but it was obvious - in hindsight of course - as the horse drifted dramatically. The lesson is that it is impossible to make a profit in maiden/novice races backing any horse from the big high profile stables - they are overbet anyway because of their connections and if it is a world beater then then 100 plus stable staff know long before us humble recreational punters.

And finally - before the bets - I am adjusting my punting strategy. I think I have been too conservative, with too many lower priced each way bets. This last year I have tended to go each way if a horse is 4/1 or bigger. But my records indicate that I would have won far more if I had gone win only - so my new approach is to only go each way if the price is 10/1 or bigger (apart form those occasional 'dirty' each ways in novices and maidens with at least 8 runners and only 3 horses with any apparent chance of winning).

This week started badly. Cherry Cola at Windsor was disappointing again, despite wind surgery, and Romeo Brown was beaten a short head at Market Rasen having looked a sure winner (at 9/2 so was win only under new tactic). Silent Film at Epsom could not repeat his last time win and Wind in my Sails was handicapped to win but lost.

Fast Medicine, despite being leased in controversial circumstances, came second at Catterick, and hopes that Suzy Smith's yard was back in form were dashed by Strike the Flint and Lightening Bug at Taunton.

The relief came in the form of World Trip at Perth (a 11/2 win bet under the new strategy) which kept losses fairly small and was a timely boost to confidence for Sandown this weekend.

Happy punting folks.