How to bet on Horses - A guide to betting on Horse Racing
June 12, 2008
HOW TO BET ON HORSES
Profitable betting on horses revolves around an effective betting strategy. If a profit cannot be made by backing to level (i.e. the same) stakes, there is no way to turn the loss into a profit. Many punters seem obsessed with “magical” staking plans. These include betting a certain percentage of the betting bank, doubling stakes after a loser, doubling stakes after a winner etc. These strategies are A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME! The following pointers seek to make backing horses a profitable and hence more enjoyable pastime.
Betting Bank
The initial consideration should be setting up a “Betting Bank.” Most gamblers fail to appreciate that the best way of achieving a healthy, sustained long term profit from betting is to separate a sum of money away from your main finances, purely for betting. This should be money that you are prepared to lose. A “Betting Bank” has many advantages. By being independent from your own personal finances it can remove much of the emotion which can sometimes cloud judgement when deciding bets. The size of your betting bank should be decided by your individual financial circumstances. Most punters fail to use any form of betting bank. They bet randomly with whatever money they have at the time and often gamble substantially more than they can afford. With a fixed sum of capital available this problem should be avoided. It is also necessary to establish exactly what you seek to achieve in terms of profit. For example, if you originally deposit £50 into an online account and manage to reach say, £250, withdraw £200, leaving the original £50 in place for further betting. In this way, the benefits of your efforts will be obvious.
Maintain Several Betting Accounts
By opening and maintaining a number of betting accounts, punters are able to avail themselves of the “sign-up” bonuses associated with online accounts. Furthermore, such a strategy allows for the pick of early prices and promotional offers. About 5 or 6 online accounts should be adequate. Whilst choice of bookmaker is a matter of personal preference, it is strongly recommended that the following online layers be considered:
1. Stan James
2. Ladbrokes
3. Paddy Power
4. William Hill
5. Victor Chandler (vcbet)
6. Bet 365
Other good inclusions in a “portfolio” of bookmakers would include Blue Square, Boylesports, Sky Bet and sportingbet. For anyone considering “laying” horses to lose, accounts with the major betting exchanges, Betfair and Betdaq would also prove useful.
Discipline
Keep a record of every bet struck. At the outset this may seem to be overdoing things but will encourage a far more disciplined approach to betting. Furthermore, it will identify the most profitable areas of your betting. In the ongoing struggle against the bookmakers, one of a punter’s most potent weapons is self-control. Good gamblers, upon winning, don’t start to take irrational risks. Similarly, having hit a losing run, the good gambler will remain calm and continue with the betting strategy. Ill discipline can be a huge barrier to becoming a successful gambler. Rather than choosing bets with care, some punters prefer to bet simply for the thrill of it, aimlessly draining their betting bank. Professional gamblers know when and how to bet. More importantly, they know when to shy away from a bet, through lack of knowledge or poor odds. Although sometimes an effort, this type of discipline will improve your chances immensely.
COMMON BETTING MISTAKES
Greed
Too many punters expect betting to be a “get rich quick” process. Frequently, bookmakers take advantage of this desire by promoting various multiple bet options, promising the chance of instant wealth. However, as much as there is chance of great winnings, the bookie will rarely lose as the chances of winning decrease with every successive bet. Seasoned professional gamblers will rarely put money on multiple bets, preferring to select safer single bets. N.B. - Avoid multiple bets like the plague. The only way to make long-term profits is by backing horses in win singles.
Loss Chasing
For some this seems a sensible way to make a profit - by constantly raising the stake so that winnings exceed previous losses. However, this frequently results in punters betting in races in which their knowledge is limited. A far more sensible approach is to wait for races about which you have a greater understanding and therefore a greater chance of striking a winning bet.
The Derby Betting - Latest news from Epsom
June 7, 2008
THE EPSOM DERBY - LATEST BETTING NEWS
KEY RUNNERS / RIDERS / NEWS
The 2008 Vodafone Epsom Derby (Group 1) will take place at Epsom racecourse in Surrey, and will be contested by 17 3-year-old thoroughbreds over a distance of 1m 4f. The Derby rarely produces a real shock as the main contenders have established themselves in the ante post betting prior to the race.
Dermot Weld’s Casual Conquest (4/1, Bet365) became the ante-post favorite for the Epsom Derby before he was even officially entered in the race, having been an impressive winner of the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, at Leopardstown recently. Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle outfit field four runners, Alessandro Volta, Bashkirov, King of Rome and Washington Irving. Based on jockey bookings, the “stable selected” is unclear, but appears to be either Frozen Fire or King of Rome. Neither have the apparent class to win a Derby, but O’Brien’s runners can never be completely discounted.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Tartan Bearer (5/1, VC Bet) won York’s Dante Stakes, a race that has yielded three of the last four Derby winners. Doctor Fremantle (8/1, Blue Square), from the same yard, was supplemented to the Derby after winning the Chester Vase. It is worth noting that the stable has won the race twice in the last five runnings, once with a supplemented runner. Tajaaweed (12/1, Bet 365), a narrow winner of Chester’s Dee Stakes, also represents the mighty Stoute yard. Henry Cecil has trained four Derby winners and his Kandahar Run (20/1, Ladbrokes) is expected to run well at Epsom Downs. Winner of a strong 10f Listed race at Newmarket, his pedigree suggests that 1m 4f may be stretching his stamina.
New Approach (6/1, BlueSq) was recently beaten into second place in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas. Undoubtedly a talented runner, he may struggle though on Epsom’s fast ground and run out of steam in the closing stages of the race. Saeed Bin Suroor’s Rio De La Plata (20/1, Ladbrokes) ran very well to be second in the French 2000 Guineas. He has Frankie Dettori doing the steering, but definite question marks regarding stamina for the 1m 4f trip. Luca Cumani’s ex-Irish-trained Curtain Call (5/1, Blue Square) won a Nottingham conditions race, as he was entitled to do. His lack of a run since does not inspire confidence.
Paul Cole’s River Proud, supplemented for £75k on Monday is an non-runner, being found to be partially lame on Friday morning.
LATEST BETTING
21/5 Casual Conquest (sportingbet), 5/1 Curtain Call (Paddy Power) 11/2 New Approach (sportingbet), 7/1 Tartan Bearer (William Hill), 9/1 Dr. Fremantle (Stan James), 10/1 Tajaaweed (sportingbet), 14/1 King of Rome (Ladbrokes), 20/1 Kandahar Run, Rio De La Plata (both William Hill), Frozen Fire (Ladbrokes), 33/1 River Proud (Paddy Power), 40/1 Washington Irving (Ladbrokes), Alessandro Volta (sportingbet), 200/1 Bouguereau (Ladbrokes), 250/1 Alan Devonshire (William Hill), 500/1 Bashkirov (Ladbrokes), 1000/1 Maidstone Mixture (William Hill). Each-way terms ¼ the odds a place 1, 2, 3.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
The Epsom Oaks - Latest Betting Preview
June 5, 2008
THE EPSOM OAKS - June 6th
The Oaks Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. It is run over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs and 10 yards at Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, currently on the first Friday in June.
Latest Betting News
Ante-post favourite Lush Lashes (3/1, totesport) heads a list of 18 fillies left in the 2008 Epsom Oaks at the confirmation stage of 31st May. Although Jim Bolger has yet to totally commit the Musidora Stakes winner to the race, she stands her ground, along with stablemate Prima Luce (40/1, Blue Square).
Ireland holds a particularly strong hand in this year’s race, being responsible for 11 of the fillies still holding the engagement. Along with Jim Bolger’s pair, Aidan O’Brien still holds a strong hand, led by Cheshire Oaks victor Sail (10/1, Blue Square), as he chases a fourth win in the race. Adored (16/1, Ladbrokes) and Tiffany Diamond (50/1, William Hill) who filled the first two places in the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas, Ice Queen (100/1, VC Bet), Moonstone (14/1, Bet365), Savethisdanceforme (50/1, 888sport)and Kitty Matcham (25/1, Blue Square) could all run for Ireland’s champion trainer. Dermot Weld has left in Chinese White (9/2, Bet365) after she pleased in a gallop after racing at Leopardstown, while John Oxx relies on Katiyra (5/1, Ladbrokes).
For the “home” contingent, Cape Amber(11/1, William Hill), trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, who finished second to Lush Lashes in the Musidora, has been confirmed, along with the Roger Charlton-trained Clowance (10/1, 888sport) and John Gosden’s Michita (10/1, totesport). Both horses claimed wins in their respective trials - Clowance in the Swettenham Stud Stakes at Newbury and Michita, impressively, in the Listed “Height of Fashion” Stakes over 1m 2f at Goodwood.
Clive Cox-trained Miracle Seeker (33/1, Blue Square)and Ralph Beckett’s Look Here (33/1, VC Bet), respectively winner and runner-up in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, also stand their ground. Sugar Mint (25/1, skybet), narrowly beaten by Sail at Chester, represents the Barry Hills yard. Willie Muir has paid £20,000 to supplement unbeaten Pretty Polly Stakes winner Saphira’s Fire (33/1, Paddy Power) to the Oaks field, but that race looked weak, and she is unlikely to have sufficient class to figure.
2008 Epsom Oaks Entries
5-011 Adored (Ire) Aidan O’Brien Ire
1-2 Cape Amber (Ire) Peter Chapple-Hyam
1-1 Chinese White (Ire) Dermot Weld Ire
4-11 Clowance Roger Charlton
6-6714 Ice Queen (Ire) Aidan O’Brien Ire
1-2 Katiyra (Ire) John Oxx Ire
44011-00 Kitty Matcham (Ire) Aidan O’Brien Ire
1-2 Look Here Ralph Beckett
1-061 Lush Lashes Jim Bolger Ire
1-01 Michita (USA) John Gosden
23-31 Miracle Seeker Clive Cox
-24 Moonstone Aidan O’Brien Ire
5510-1 Prima Luce (Ire) Jim Bolger Ire
0-21 Sail (Ire) Aidan O’Brien Ire
11 Saphira’s Fire (Ire) William Muir
41-206 Savethisdanceforme (Ire) Aidan O’Brien Ire
246-12 Sugar Mint (Ire) Barry Hills
055-02221 Tiffany Diamond (Ire) Aidan O’Brien Ire
Each-way terms ¼ the odds a place, 1, 2, 3. Non-runner, no bet.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
Horse Racing Preview May 29th
May 29, 2008
RACING PREVIEW – Thursday May 29th – AYR, YARMOUTH, GREAT LEIGHS
AYR
3:50 Burns Mall Kilmarnock Handicap, Class 5, 1m
Osteopathic Remedy (2/1)
Took advantage of a 9lb drop in the weights to score readily over 1m at Thirsk last time. No obvious reason why he can’t be competitive back up 4lb so ought to go well with conditions to suit.
Pianoforte (3/1) has been consistent since landing seller on AW in January and reproduction of battling second in 1m1f handicap at Hamilton two starts ago would give him claims; excuses when too keen at Carlisle latest so considered back over a trip he’s won at.
Of Jim Goldie’s pair Darfour (9/2) has a long absence to overcome. Esoterica (12/1) is effective on fast ground up to 1m, but yet to fire this year and well behind Osteopathic Remedy at Thirsk latest; needs to bounce back.
YARMOUTH
4:40 Mouchel Handicap, Class 5, 5f 43y
Desperate Dan (9/1)
In frame twice off this mark in handicaps at Brighton this term (slightly unlucky penultimate start), though not easy to know quite what he achieved in Chepstow claimer back on softer ground on Tuesday without usual blinkers; all wins remain on AW, not the most straightforward and others more appealing.
Dragon Flame (6/1)
From the stable that won this last season and finished well ahead of stablemate Bold Minstrel at Newmarket, more than confirming the improvement shown in a C&D maiden on reappearance; 6f did not play to strengths here yesterday and capable of better.
Millfields Dream (8/1)
Creditable efforts back in cheekpieces on consecutive days at Newmarket (good to soft ground) last two starts, out of handicap both times but racing much closer to proper mark second occasion; revised mark is justified and form ties in with a few others, so entitled to be thereabouts again.
Raccoon (7/1)
Has run creditably both starts this term and should remain competitive despite being 2lb higher, but may not be able to dominate and draw possibly not ideal; all wins on good ground or firmer so significant rain would further diminish chances.
GREAT LEIGHS
4:00 StanJamesUK. Com Handicap, Class 3, 1m 2f
Art Man (5/2)
Hasn’t always looked the most straightforward but really good efforts to win the last twice and has deserved his hike in the weights; conditions ideal and should make a bold bid for the hat-trick.
Invasian (12/1)
Front-runner who is effective on Polytrack and comes here on the back of a decent effort at Newmarket; has to race off higher mark on the AW though and vulnerable giving weight away all round.
Scamperdale (10/1)
Good record for this rider and 1m2f on Polytrack no problem; high enough in the weights judged on last two runs and others preferred.
Dado Mush (16/1)
Had a great winter on Fibresand but found a penalty too much to overcome in modest event at Southwell last time; should stay this far but more on his plate in this grade on a different surface.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
Horse Racing Preview May 28th
May 28, 2008
RACING PREVIEW – Wednesday 28th May – CARTMEL, GREAT LEIGHS, YARMOUTH
N.B. – Any prices quoted are intended as a guide only
YARMOUTH
4:25 TotesportCasino.com Handicap, Class 5, 6f 3y
Paul Howling’s Tamino (5/1) makes a quick reappearance following his Brighton fourth. Beaten, but still disputing third, when running out of room close home. John Gosden’s Cape Cobra (7/2) was well beaten in a similar race on the AW at Southwell. However, may not have taken to the surface. Won an ordinary Redcar maiden last backend and is evidently not a stable star.Efisio Princess (6/1) showed some decent form at this level and should go close if wound up for her seasonal return. Christine Dunnett’s veteran Gone’N'Dunnett (10/1) won nicely at Great Leighs last time. 4lb out of the handicap, but this is offset by Amy Baker’s 7lb claim. The old-timer must have a squeak. Dragon Flame (8/1), raised 12lb for winning here last month, ran well enough at Newmarket subsequently to suggest a race of this type is within his compass.
GREAT LEIGHS
3:35 New Holland Conditions Stakes, Class 3, 1m 2f
Henry Cecil’s Many Volumes (5/4) ran as if something was amiss in Newmarket’s Suffolk Stakes, but turned out again 6 days later to run far better over 10f at Lingfield with Pinpoint (5/1) some 5l behind. Mutajarred (3/1) boasts some useful winning form from last season and must go close if tuned up. Secret World (7/1) ran a close 4th in Newbury’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at this time last year. Floundered in the heavy ground at York, and last of 7 on softish ground at Salisbury. Not one to write off just yet. Frank Sonata (20/1) has only had three starts since October 2006, when he beat Scorpion at the Curragh. Has cut little ice in top-class company since and is difficult to assess. Impeller (10/1) has run respectably for Jane Chapple-Hyam since leaving Stan Moore, but may find one or two of these too good.
CARTMEL
4:00 Burlington Slate Cartmel Grand Veterans Handicap Chase, Class 3, 3m 6f
The booking of Tony McCoy for Peter Bowen’s Mr Ed (8/1) is of interest as he is well handicapped over fences compared to his hurdles mark. Croc An Oir (4/1) was a wide margin winner on fast ground at Uttoxeter, but now has a 13lb higher mark to contend with. Dickie Lewis (4/1) arrives in good form, having won four times this season, but may find the ground too fast. Last year’s winner, Chabrimal Minster (7/1), has won a claiming chase and a hunter chase at Chepstow this spring. Perhaps a little high in the weights at present. Innisfree (14/1) ran a sound race at Kelso, after a break, making the running, jumping well and was only collared after the last. Although it wasn’t a strong contest, he ran well enough to suggest he can win in similar company this summer.
All odds correct at time of writing. Please click here for the latest odds
