New Flat Season

[Alastair]

The turf flat season begins on Saturday as usual at Doncaster with the Lincoln taking centre stage.

What are you especially looking forward to ? In particular, do you have any new ideas regarding betting on the flat ? For me, something I have taken notice of in the last few years is the way that the quality of form from countries outside the UK, Ireland and France is underestimated by punters in this country. We have seen horses with form from the US, Germany, Italy, even Norway, win at decent prices - Tepin, Con Te Partiro, Artistica, Dylan Mouth, Easy Road- and this is something that I will continue to give particular attention to again in 2018.

[BillyHills]

Its a good point Alastair, I'm not sure the foreign raiders are underestimated as much as just ignored due to the difficulty on getting a grip on the form.

Some punters will just back what they are familiar with and skip the odd German runner for instance and just pretend its not there. Its a very dangerous game as these horses are having an impact more and more.

I can remember when Wesley Ward started having runners at Ascot, it was so difficult trying to weight up the form from Santa Anita, for example. Nowadays many of his are at the head of the market and maybe the value has gone out of his runners, especially as Dettori rides them.

I like French runners at Newmarket, I just think they act at that track for some reason.

To be honest i'm a jumps fan so will take it easy on the flat until May.

Good luck for the season