Judicial Law, 3/1, gave me immense satisfaction when beating odds-on Gamaret at Catterick on New Years’ Day and realistically that’s what this column is all about, chancing against ‘shorties’ with a view to profiting with little risk attached.
On the time-handicap Judicial Lady was the only possible serious rival to high-profile ‘bumper’ winner Gamaret but had the experience which so many fail to understand and appreciate even though with profile yards much schooling is effected before they jump for the first time. On the betting front I’m keen to lay ‘shorties’ but always trying to get good-priced winners for readers/punters who would rather back winners.
Despite colossal experience, of the ups and downs of racing, a first day success always settles me down because there are plenty who prefer betting level stakes and Judicial Law gave such followers profit.
My modus operandi is about selecting non-favourites and playing each-way trixie’s/patents but points profiting suits the majority and for those I’m offering the best advice imaginable, NEVER bet less than 3/1!
It’s based on solid mathematics and reduces the number of bets; so often juicy median criteria fancies are available but aren’t matched with starting prices which means, abhort.
In my prime long journeys backing horses involved rules of never betting less than the ’tissue’ price I’d fixated upon; I once drove more than a hundred miles to Beverley intending to bet a ‘cert’ but after watching it go down to post scratchily I turned on heel and walked into the press room to have a cup of tea. It finished sixth!
Serious betting is definitely all about control and I’m mindful of those who want to make money from my selections when analysing prospects; never ‘gamble’ just think about this column as investment. Sometimes, if you follow the rules rigidly, there is ‘no bet’ all day but, is that a problem?
Al Marmar and Pink Crystal are likely short-priced winners on Lingfield polytrack today; I’ve not found semblance of a danger to either and so have concentrated on the tapeta all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton where Love Mystery second (of 12) on a similar Southwell surface four weeks ago should recoup losses in the Novice Stakes over an extended mile. Ian Balding’s charge, making his debut, was favourite and it will be extremely disappointing if the Frankel colt fails to go one better.
Two jumpers, Salvino and Havanella tick enough boxes at Musselburgh/Southwell respectively and comprise an EWD!
Selections, Musselburgh, 1.30 Salvino (e.w); Southwell, 1.50 Havanella (e.w); Wolverhampton, 4.30 Love Mystery.
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019