31/12/2011
0
On December 31, 2011
Night Alliance jumped slowly yesterday and kept losing ground at his fences. The horse did not look to be travelling well. We haven’t spoken with Dr Newland yet but do know that the stewards ordered the horse to be routine tested after the race, hopefully all is ok. Bellflower Boy came back to form after showing nothing for six runs and being beaten nearly 200 lengths. Maybe a change of tactics worked but we don’t have any further information at the moment.
30/12/2011
0
On December 30, 2011
We backed Douglas Julian who required the whip after just one hurdle due to a lazy performance. The horse was being pushed far too quickly in the race and for whatever reason was not on a going day. Henry Oliver soon used up all the whip allowance after the fourth flight and he could not keep the horse interested. It was a strange run and an opportunity lost as the winners finished legless only for Douglas Julian to then stay on fast from an impossible position finishing 4th. A switch to hurdles did not suit not sure, but it was a disappointing effort in a race he could have won on any other day.
27/12/2011
0
On December 27, 2011
We backed Cross Appeal for 1 point E/W. It was just a small bet but you don’t need much on at these big prices. The 16/1 was available with Bet365 for a good hour & a half after bet details were sent out. We should have all been able to take that price. The horse eventually went off a 7/1 shot after being heavily backed. The market eventually cottoned on that 16/1 was a silly price compared to the second favourite.
As we mentioned in the email, Cross Appeal raced handily within the first 5 places from the off through a combination of jumping & travelling well.
Very little changed until 5 out where Carberry made his move and asked Cross Appeal to hit the front. For the next three fences it was a question of holding your breath. Everything that has happened this month meant that we were used to disappointment when on a good thing, but the horse continued to jump and progress well.
On the turn for home, P Carbery committed and kicked on taking 4-5 lengths out of the field. We soon went clear approaching two out and all looked good.
Jumping the last Cross Appeal was being hard ridden but jumped 6-7 lengths in-front. It was a long run home with the horse tiring late-on.
No doubt we were all willing Cross Appeal on and thankfully the line came just in time. Cross Appeal was out on his feet at the finish but clung on to win by half a length or so. I’m not sure that we could have taken another second!
We landed a great 16/1 winner; this puts things back into perspective and ensures we finish the year with just one losing month (October).
Betting is all about long-term profits, not what happens over a few weeks. The last three bets have all returned a profit and have put us in profit for the month.
26/12/2011
0
On December 26, 2011
We backed Captain Chris ante-post on Thursday 22nd December 2 points E/W at 8/1 with Ladbrokes.
There has been some confusion regarding the payout but providing you did back the horse on the above date you should have now been paid. We have received many emails informing us that Ladbrokes had the bet down as a loser; this was an error with their automated payout system.
When we place ante-post bets we always go in the day before the final declarations close. This way we ensure we get the terms advertised on the website no matter how many horses run. On Friday Ladbrokes went non-runner no-bet on the race, this is where the confusion happened as the system changed all placed bets to this feature as a gesture from Ladbrokes. This also brings in a rule 4 though that we certainly did not want, the race only paying first two.
We backed Captain Chris on Thursday before the NRNB came into force resulting in a winning bet. The Ladbrokes system could not distinguish between bets placed on Thursday & Friday and hence it automatically turned selections placed on Thursday into NRNB. This normally would be great but in this case was not for us.
Ladbrokes have now corrected the error and paid winning funds into your account.
Any problems please get in touch, the one important rule when placing ante-post bets before the final declaring stage is:
Each-Way Ante Post bets are settled according to the Each-Way terms advertised at the time the bet was placed
The above rule can be found on any bookie’s website.
Captain Chris ran a strange race. He was not travelling well from the off and Richard Johnson had to slightly niggle him from the third fence. The horse did jump a little sticky; this was also out of character as he was foot perfect in the Arkle. I thought the horse was going to be pulled up at one stage as Captain Chris lost a good 6 lengths just before the turn for home and looked in big trouble. On the turn itself Captain Chris made up a good 8 lengths and came back on-the-bit to take third place in-running. For a furlong or so it looked like we were in business.
The horse then stayed on at the one-pace and eventually finished 3rd. We did mention that the horse missed a few weeks works on the build up to the race but it was still a strange run. We think that there is more to come from the horse. It’s possible that his breathing is still bothering him. At least we got the E/W money. I was under the impression that Captain Chris would have gone much closer.
As for Kauto Star, what can you say? He ran a cracker etc. but we still stick by our original comments; an 11 year old winning the top three mile races suggests more about the calibre of its opposition.
19/12/2011
0
On December 19, 2011
Sorry for no review message on yesterdays account bet, we did not get back from Bangor On Dee until late.
We backed Rowan Tiger for 4 points win. At the time of sending the message we did not have access to prices, but from texts that we’ve since received it appears that 13/8 was available; we also got that price at the track form the first-show.
It was great being in the ring with Dr Newland before the race when he gave A P McCoy his riding instructions. A P did not think there would be any pace in the race and Richard thought it would be best leaving it simple; race handy or make all. Rowan Tiger led from start to finish and won easily by a good 8 lengths on-the-bit.
It was a welcome winner for us whilst being able to cheer the horse home with Richard made it a good day.
