The most influential sire of a generation has passed away aged 30...
Rm (Mark)
Tuesday 26 April 2011
My Golden Rules....
Dear all...
... in truth everyone's golden rules....
1. A betting bank is a must with a points system probably based upon 20 bets of 1 point each or 40 of 0.5 points each.
2. Value is essential - the bet must be at odds greater than the true chance of the selection. Identifying value comes with betting experience. Always learning! Suggest that you assume a sub-rule; say no shorter than 2/1 or 5/1 in handicaps.
3. Don't expect any horse to do something it hasn't done before; so avoid maidens and hype! Missing a winner is better than backing a loser!
4. Read as many experts views as you can. Accumulate knowledge about horses preferences, trainer preferences and jockey bookings, gallops reports; how to read form, understand RP ratings, speed ratings etc. Read every word written by Nick Mordin. (Genius!)
5. Have as many bookmaker accounts as you can; take advantage of free bets, best odds guaranteed concessions, non runner no bet and other concessions.
6. Learn how to use Betfair effectively - back and lay!
7. Use GG.com Alerts to track eyecatchers plus jockey bookings and trainer entries...
8. Don't be loyal to a jockey, trainer or horse unless you haver identified a profitable angle...
9. I prefer to back horses that won or were placed 2nd last time out and especially those to have won their last two starts. In form horses win most races...
10. Be disciplined and stick to your rules...
Not too many original ideas there I know but essentially these apply to us all with one or two tweaks here and there...
Rm (Mark)
... in truth everyone's golden rules....
1. A betting bank is a must with a points system probably based upon 20 bets of 1 point each or 40 of 0.5 points each.
2. Value is essential - the bet must be at odds greater than the true chance of the selection. Identifying value comes with betting experience. Always learning! Suggest that you assume a sub-rule; say no shorter than 2/1 or 5/1 in handicaps.
3. Don't expect any horse to do something it hasn't done before; so avoid maidens and hype! Missing a winner is better than backing a loser!
4. Read as many experts views as you can. Accumulate knowledge about horses preferences, trainer preferences and jockey bookings, gallops reports; how to read form, understand RP ratings, speed ratings etc. Read every word written by Nick Mordin. (Genius!)
5. Have as many bookmaker accounts as you can; take advantage of free bets, best odds guaranteed concessions, non runner no bet and other concessions.
6. Learn how to use Betfair effectively - back and lay!
7. Use GG.com Alerts to track eyecatchers plus jockey bookings and trainer entries...
8. Don't be loyal to a jockey, trainer or horse unless you haver identified a profitable angle...
9. I prefer to back horses that won or were placed 2nd last time out and especially those to have won their last two starts. In form horses win most races...
10. Be disciplined and stick to your rules...
Not too many original ideas there I know but essentially these apply to us all with one or two tweaks here and there...
Rm (Mark)
Monday 25 April 2011
Milan - again!
Good morning. Back so soon.
I am fascinated by the pricing up by the bookmakers of Rio Milan. From the relatively unheralded, but intelligent yard of AW Carroll this one is another beautifully bred son of stout stayer of Milan out of a Be My Native mare. On debut, is not an atypical Carroll profile horse but one or two have bucked the trend recently.
My interest is especially stimulated by having seen Darlan (another son of Milan) win impressively, on debut, at Haydock on Saturday.
There is a Henderson hotpot running here also; an Alan King entry and a Lucy Wadham contender with some semblance of form. I backed Rio Milan at 11s this morning and laid off at the same time to small stakes.
Interesting!
Rm (Mark)
I am fascinated by the pricing up by the bookmakers of Rio Milan. From the relatively unheralded, but intelligent yard of AW Carroll this one is another beautifully bred son of stout stayer of Milan out of a Be My Native mare. On debut, is not an atypical Carroll profile horse but one or two have bucked the trend recently.
My interest is especially stimulated by having seen Darlan (another son of Milan) win impressively, on debut, at Haydock on Saturday.
There is a Henderson hotpot running here also; an Alan King entry and a Lucy Wadham contender with some semblance of form. I backed Rio Milan at 11s this morning and laid off at the same time to small stakes.
Interesting!
Rm (Mark)
Sunday 24 April 2011
Whipping up a storm...
Dear All
At this time of year, it always feel like an old friend has disappeared over the horizon not to be seen again until the shortening days are filled with the red and orange of autumn. The Lambourn Open Day on Good Friday was a last opportunity to see some of the equine jumping heroes before their summer slumbers so the opportunity was taken to visit Seven Barrows...
Spirit Son is a magnificent specimen - a wonderfully intelligent head; knowing eyes and a gorgeous bay hue to his coat. Beaten only once - by Al Ferof (in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival) - it was an eyecatching performance at Aintree when beating Cue Card by 13 lengths. Of all the 2010/11 novice hurdlers he seems the most likely to challenge for Championship honours next term.
At every turn there was a superstar; Finian's Rainbow, Oscar Whisky, Binocular and Long Run amongst them; later Fondmort, Monsignor, McCoy and Francome , Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen. Mick Fitz (miked up) told us how brilliantly McCoy presents his mount at a fence prompting AP to immediately fluff his lines!
Saturday, and having celebrated the season's final day with a nice winning punt on Poker De Sivola in the Whitbread following a typically masterful hold-up ride by Timmy Murphy, I think we witnessed a pretty smart performance by Henderson's Darlan. He beat what was probably a weakish field. However, for one so inexperienced he ran all the way to the line positively eating up the ground to finish 27 lengths clear.
One for the notebook maybe? The problem is that being a Henderson inmate he will inevitably return a short price in a novice hurdle when next he appears. Darlan is steeped in Aga Khan's stout bloodlines. He is a son of the prolific Sadler's Wells (himself a son of the equally prolific Northern Dancer) out of a Darshaan mare. His first dam, Darbela, is a daughter of the Guineas winning Doyoun who, in turn, was a son of the outstanding champion Mill Reef, another Guineas winner. A pedigree packed with stamina; certain to stay well beyond 2 miles and with a touch of class. Early days I know but this one could be the real deal. Keep the name in mind. Hope he can jump!
Another name to keep an eye on is Charlie Longsdon's Hidden Keel. Progressive, he has won his last two starts, both at Exeter, (I like horses that win at Exeter) and now runs off a chase mark of 149 - maybe a tad high for what he has achieved but a player in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham's highly informative Open meeting next November nevertheless. If only Longsdon can correct a propensity to jump right-handed he might have a chance. I hear he will be prepared for a seasonal debut in an Intermediate Chase at Carlisle; the same route used by Exotic Dancer in 2006. His last run acheived his best winning RPR of 153; he has won six of his thirteen starts and the yard's breakthrough into the big time might just be a matter of months away.
Having finished a pleasing eighth in last year's Tote Ten To Follow Flat Competition, I must complete this year's list. I will let you know my choice shortly. The key with these competitions is not to be too clever as inevitably a number of expected contenders will grab the most points. Wait though until the Guineas declarations have been published before submitting an entry. Must get off to a good start.
I am a punter not a student of horses; I have never ridden nor trained a racehorse. My inclination has always been towards the view that it is important to listen to those who argue resolutely that racing does not lend itself to the welfare of the horse. However, it is apparent to me that owners, trainers and jockeys alike love the horses in their care, have the horses' best interests at heart at all times and that if a horse does not want to compete it will do a Chaninbar and refuse to do so. The whip is necessary to educate and protect both horses and jockeys and does not, I believe, cause any significant harm to the animal. If it could be proved it had a detrimental effect then my view might well be different. Let us hope that these differences of opinion can be resolved.
Congratulations to all the recipients of awards at The Lesters on Maundy Thursday evening and to AP for his 17th Jump Jockeys' title. It all started again today - Lava Lamp the season's debut winner at Plumpton. Paul Moloney leads the Jockeys' race to the title. Enjoy it while you can Paul!
Speak soon
Rm (Mark)
At this time of year, it always feel like an old friend has disappeared over the horizon not to be seen again until the shortening days are filled with the red and orange of autumn. The Lambourn Open Day on Good Friday was a last opportunity to see some of the equine jumping heroes before their summer slumbers so the opportunity was taken to visit Seven Barrows...
Spirit Son is a magnificent specimen - a wonderfully intelligent head; knowing eyes and a gorgeous bay hue to his coat. Beaten only once - by Al Ferof (in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival) - it was an eyecatching performance at Aintree when beating Cue Card by 13 lengths. Of all the 2010/11 novice hurdlers he seems the most likely to challenge for Championship honours next term.
At every turn there was a superstar; Finian's Rainbow, Oscar Whisky, Binocular and Long Run amongst them; later Fondmort, Monsignor, McCoy and Francome , Robert and Sam Waley-Cohen. Mick Fitz (miked up) told us how brilliantly McCoy presents his mount at a fence prompting AP to immediately fluff his lines!
Saturday, and having celebrated the season's final day with a nice winning punt on Poker De Sivola in the Whitbread following a typically masterful hold-up ride by Timmy Murphy, I think we witnessed a pretty smart performance by Henderson's Darlan. He beat what was probably a weakish field. However, for one so inexperienced he ran all the way to the line positively eating up the ground to finish 27 lengths clear.
One for the notebook maybe? The problem is that being a Henderson inmate he will inevitably return a short price in a novice hurdle when next he appears. Darlan is steeped in Aga Khan's stout bloodlines. He is a son of the prolific Sadler's Wells (himself a son of the equally prolific Northern Dancer) out of a Darshaan mare. His first dam, Darbela, is a daughter of the Guineas winning Doyoun who, in turn, was a son of the outstanding champion Mill Reef, another Guineas winner. A pedigree packed with stamina; certain to stay well beyond 2 miles and with a touch of class. Early days I know but this one could be the real deal. Keep the name in mind. Hope he can jump!
Another name to keep an eye on is Charlie Longsdon's Hidden Keel. Progressive, he has won his last two starts, both at Exeter, (I like horses that win at Exeter) and now runs off a chase mark of 149 - maybe a tad high for what he has achieved but a player in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham's highly informative Open meeting next November nevertheless. If only Longsdon can correct a propensity to jump right-handed he might have a chance. I hear he will be prepared for a seasonal debut in an Intermediate Chase at Carlisle; the same route used by Exotic Dancer in 2006. His last run acheived his best winning RPR of 153; he has won six of his thirteen starts and the yard's breakthrough into the big time might just be a matter of months away.
Having finished a pleasing eighth in last year's Tote Ten To Follow Flat Competition, I must complete this year's list. I will let you know my choice shortly. The key with these competitions is not to be too clever as inevitably a number of expected contenders will grab the most points. Wait though until the Guineas declarations have been published before submitting an entry. Must get off to a good start.
I am a punter not a student of horses; I have never ridden nor trained a racehorse. My inclination has always been towards the view that it is important to listen to those who argue resolutely that racing does not lend itself to the welfare of the horse. However, it is apparent to me that owners, trainers and jockeys alike love the horses in their care, have the horses' best interests at heart at all times and that if a horse does not want to compete it will do a Chaninbar and refuse to do so. The whip is necessary to educate and protect both horses and jockeys and does not, I believe, cause any significant harm to the animal. If it could be proved it had a detrimental effect then my view might well be different. Let us hope that these differences of opinion can be resolved.
Congratulations to all the recipients of awards at The Lesters on Maundy Thursday evening and to AP for his 17th Jump Jockeys' title. It all started again today - Lava Lamp the season's debut winner at Plumpton. Paul Moloney leads the Jockeys' race to the title. Enjoy it while you can Paul!
Speak soon
Rm (Mark)
Sunday 10 April 2011
Time For Reflection...
Our thoughts go to Peter Toole and his family and friends...
Get well soon!
Rm (Mark)
Get well soon!
Rm (Mark)
Saturday 9 April 2011
National Fever...
Good morning folks!
Not much opportunity to blog recently - quick thoughts on today's feature contest! Yes I know for the purist it's Binocular versus Peddlers versus Oscar but we cannot ignore the Grand National; the BBC will not allow it! It is, to their naive eyes, the only horse race of the year! Slightly tongue in cheek but you know what I mean.
I have backed and laid Ballabriggs sometime ago (don't think he will win today!). The public love a good story so anything from the McCain yard is precious! Not good enough; may not stay.
Backstage - small win bet some time ago also. Gordon Elliot is de rigueur at the moment and anything he runs is of interest. Mon Mome apart dreadful race for the Frenchie-breds so my enthusiasm is tempered.
My four fancies are:
Silver By Nature - decided that the ground will not be an issue over extreme distance which he is certain to stay; a Welsh National victory behind him; excellent profile, capable trainer and jockey, in right odds bracket. Get on!
Tidal Bay - this trip may be just what this quirky character needs; course form; trainer may have been cute in readying for today; touch of class - the downside is the weight on his back. May be a tad too much! Race profile is changing though.
West End Rocker - because he's on my list of horses to follow and the trainer fancies him. Oh and he's 33/1.
Oscar Time - Nick Mordin says so and he is God!
Good luck all.
Hope all the horses come back safe and sound in every race today and every day!
Rm (Mark)
Not much opportunity to blog recently - quick thoughts on today's feature contest! Yes I know for the purist it's Binocular versus Peddlers versus Oscar but we cannot ignore the Grand National; the BBC will not allow it! It is, to their naive eyes, the only horse race of the year! Slightly tongue in cheek but you know what I mean.
I have backed and laid Ballabriggs sometime ago (don't think he will win today!). The public love a good story so anything from the McCain yard is precious! Not good enough; may not stay.
Backstage - small win bet some time ago also. Gordon Elliot is de rigueur at the moment and anything he runs is of interest. Mon Mome apart dreadful race for the Frenchie-breds so my enthusiasm is tempered.
My four fancies are:
Silver By Nature - decided that the ground will not be an issue over extreme distance which he is certain to stay; a Welsh National victory behind him; excellent profile, capable trainer and jockey, in right odds bracket. Get on!
Tidal Bay - this trip may be just what this quirky character needs; course form; trainer may have been cute in readying for today; touch of class - the downside is the weight on his back. May be a tad too much! Race profile is changing though.
West End Rocker - because he's on my list of horses to follow and the trainer fancies him. Oh and he's 33/1.
Oscar Time - Nick Mordin says so and he is God!
Good luck all.
Hope all the horses come back safe and sound in every race today and every day!
Rm (Mark)
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