The Recreational Punter

I do not entirely agree with all the criticism of the Indian cricket authorities for producing two "unplayable" bunsens in the last 2 tests. All countries tend to produce "homers" which favour their bowlers. England have done it in the past. India may have gone a bit further and been a bit more blatant perhaps but their spinners are much better than ours, and England have batted poorly. What intrigues me is the impact the furore will have on the pitch prepared for the 4th test? If the cynical view is correct then surely India will prepare the blandest pitch possible as a draw will give them victory in the series. Equally they could respond to the criticism over the poor pitch by preparing a good one which does not take spin until the 4th day.  It seems to me that whichever way you look at it there is a fair chance that we will see a road, which must finally bring the draw into the equation. Best price 7/1 with Boylesports and Skybet.

Friday's bets were ok. There was money for Alexandra Romanov (returned 12/1 SP, having been widely available at 33/1 in the morning). Looked like winning a furlong out but just out battled to finish a promising 2nd. She's going in the tracker and should be well capable of winning a novice hurdle at Plumpton or Fontwell. As for Maazel he ran ok. I got the distance wrong, and it appeared to me so did the jockey! I think he can still win at 9 or 10 furlongs and is worth backing at small stakes a couple of more times. As for Saturday a mixed day. It started well with another Lee Carter horse, Enough Already in the 11.45 at Lingfield. I noted him with the comment "Now trained by LC. Fat at Kempton 16 Dec. Could win a handicap when fit". It appears the horse did not take umbrage at my body negative comments because he came from behind to win by a short head at a rewarding 14/1. I fancied GA Law in the 1.50 at Kempton, because of his Fontwell form when he had beaten Getaway...

Some good racing today, especially at Warwick and Exeter. The Devon National is a real marathon at what is probably the toughest track in the country, now Towcester is no more (except for the dogs).  Indeed today's fare looks more enticing than the rather rather dreary cards for Saturday - too near to Cheltenham syndrome. After an hour spent studying the 15 runners in the Devon National (3.10 Exeter) I have narrowed it down to 14 and that's only because Head to the Stars has been withdrawn. It's a 'sit back and try to enjoy without having a bet race' for me. Just 2 small wagers today then.  In the bumper at Warwick (4.53) I cannot resist a small bet on Alexandra Romanov. She's an unraced Sixties Icon filly and has some relatives that have done ok on the flat. The trainer, Sheena West, does well with her Sixties Icon horses. She buys most of them direct from Mick Channon. This one is owned by the trainer who will presumably be looking for a buyer so hopefully the...

I am pretty sure that I am not the only punter who finds not backing a winner worse than backing a loser. The agony when the horse that you have followed 3 times and then abandoned only to see it hack up the first time it runs without the burden of your money on its back. Even worst the bet you intended to have but for whatever reason (beer sometimes features) you did not have. I even cheered a horse home once only to check my account afterwards and find I had backed a completely different horse in error. Well for - with hindsight - stupid reasons I had decided to back the draw in the current 3rd test between India and England. Even with the 2% commission the 7.2 available on Betfair was the best odds available (it was 13/2 with most bookies). I placed my £20 assuming it would be matched. As I type the Indian 1st innings is about to end (England have already been all out) and it is only the morning of the 2nd day. The draw is now available at 490! Then I noticed that my bet had not bee...

India v England in a floodlight test match - so start at 9am GMT. My only bet is Jasprit Bumrah to be a man of the match. His bowling action is certainly unique (and would have been coached out of him had he been English) and is ideally suited to the swing which should be generated once the lights take effect. Incidentally the stadium where the match is taking place can accommodate a crowd of 132,000. There is little doubt where the centre of the cricketing world is now - and it is certainly not Lords. As for yesterday's bets The Widdow Maker was very impressive and looks a high class prospect now he has shown he can settle. The SP return at 13/8 was also better than expected. One to be followed. In contrast Foxey was very disappointing. Looks like he may need two more wind operations, the previous two having clearly not done the trick. NB - whenever I type Bumrah my auto-correct changes it to Burma. Thought we were not allowed to call it that anymore?

Betting shops may be allowed to open on April 14. The Grand National is April 12. Foreign holidays may be allowed from May 19. My trip to Greece is booked for May 17.

The match statistics for last night's Brighton v Crystal Palace were much as expected- Possession Brighton 75% Palace 25% Shots Brighton 25 Palace 3 Corners Brighton 11 Palace 0, and the result Brighton 1 Crystal Palace 2. Roy Hodgson did look a little embarrassed when Benteke scored at the end. But at least Roy was not wearing shorts, and I had backed Palace to small stake comfort bet. Brighton maybe 18th in the Premier League but in the competition which matters (the one judged by expected points) they are 4th.  Animal ran ok in the 2.20 at Southwell yesterday- there was money for ... the animal - 25/1 available in the morning. Returned at SP of 8/1. He can win a handicap - especially at Plumpton. Just 2 bets today- Foxey 2.45 Wetherby. His bumper form worked out well. Today is his first run after 2nd bit of wind surgery. If he does not win today I expect him to next time.  The Widdow Maker 1.30 Taunton. Will be favourite (you might get evens). Ran a weird race at Wincanton ...