bowles10 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Thought its about time that we understood a bit more about each other & what makes us tick. i have conversed with a number of you guys at various times but know little about you. I am not after personal information here just a few lines on what you are about & your betting preferences etc. I will kick it off, & feel free to generally add comment where you want to & raise any questions to whoever! I turned 40 this year & have been gambling since i was in short trousers.... the reason is my great grandad was a bookmaker from the 1930's through to late 60's. its a pity that i never heard all the stories as both he & his son (my grandad) died when i was very young. My dad has some great tales of the days before photo finishes when he used to stand on the winning line & know who had won so his old man could lay one off against the other! they mostly traded at the London tracks - epsom, sandown, ascot, kempton, hurst park & of course our local dog track - White city which was 10 mins from our's. In the Racing post last year on Derby day, they printed a photo from 1938 & my old man spotted his grandad's pitch in the photo. They blew up the photo for him & sent it to him. we also have some great photo's & also his betting association badges/shields etc I grew up betting on the ITV7's etc & then ventured into betting shops from about 16 when we used to sit in the local ladbrokes on a satuday all day doing 10p win yankees etc I was offered a job on a newspaper when i was 19 as i knew a fella who left the sporting life to become a tipster on this new daily rag. I was in my first job at the time & doing well & didnt want to leave it. I would only have been teaboy but it would have been a stepping stone, that fella now is the racing correspondent for one of the main daily broadsheets & its my sole biggest regret in life! :$ I change my staking plan every day, month, year & that is where i fall down. If i am in poor form i reduce my stakes so much that when i have that big winner, it doesnt make a dent into the debts! I must be more stable & thats my aim. I set up a website last year & i enjoy doing that in my spare time. One day i hope that will go further but my ambition is still to work in the industry. My asset is that i dont always read form & would rather take the trends into account first. Those of you that know me over the years, you know that is the case at Cheltenham which produces some excellent results. There is more to know.... but thats it for now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RussP Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? I'm Russ, aged 34 (& a half). I've been gambling since the age of 16 and basically got into it because my Dad is a keen gambler too. Before PL, I used to have a Lucky 15/31 every weekend but now I am much more focused, mainly EW singles. I specialise on handicap races as that is where I have the most success, and I generally back EW at bigger prices. I use a set staking plan now, which has enabled me to make a decent profit this year (that has not always been the case, let me tell you!). Memories that stick out for me include:- a) an incredible summer this year where winner after winner was going in b) winning £100 when I was young as my Nan & I went halves on a placepot. She took my advice on the first 5 legs but disagreed in the 6th. She said "I like that name, Niche". Bloody hell, it was something like 25/1 but where did it finish....yep, you've guessed it...2nd:nana c) backing Lammtarra for the Derby after it had won its maiden. Took 33's and it won at 14's. Didn't have enough on it though. d) backing Arcangues for the Breeders Cup and it returned something like 120/1. Again very small stakes. e) Red Rita for the Lincoln, asked my Grandad to take the price. He didn't! It opened at 40's, won at 16's Biggest disappointment:- a) having a Goodwood placepot up (paying around £500) except for one leg. I had Grand Lodge in it but it got withdrawn, putting it on the fav. The fav being Turtle Island from Chapple Hyams yard, unbeaten on soft ground but terrible on good ground. Yep, going was firm and it finished down the field.:@ Favourite horses of all time are Istabraq, Arazi and Lyric Fantasy, the pocket rocket. My local track is Haydock Park, a cracking course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyHills Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Ok, here we go; (deep breath) First memory of Horse Racing was watcing the 1968 Grand National, my dad put me 2 bob (10 pence was a lot in them days!) on Red Alligator at 100/7, these days that would be 14/1, loved the race ever since. First meeting i went to was a couple of years later at Docaster where my dad was born and bred. As soon as I was old enough - or maybe before- I was reading the Sporting Chronicle and The Sporting Life and always wanted to work in the industry. Me and my brother applied for a bookmakers license in 1979 and worked the Point To Point scene for a couple of years around the Midlands. You learn fast in that type of racing, no stewards, no photo finishes, no rules basically and some very shrewd farmers!! I have a good story to tell but i'll leave that for another thread. Anyway, we couldnt get on the main courses because of the huge waiting lists, i think we were number 100 at Cheltenham, that means 100 bookies have to go out of business or die before we could stand there, so we gave up in the end. We did stand at the Epsom Derby in 1980, thats public land and anyone with a permit can try their luck. Henbit won the big race and we won £65 on the day after L.Piggott had a treble and nearly skint us. It wasnt the money that mattered, it was just being part of it, we stood next to a guy that had been to the last 38 Derby's, thats history for you. These days the highest bidder gets the pitches so it might have been different if we had kept going? 10 years later I joined William Hill and for another 10 years enjoyed being in the business, ran the shop on Statford Racecourse, a brand new shop in Melton Mowbray and finally the biggie in Coalville which took 3 thousand bets on a Saturday! also got involved in Odds Compiling and the Raceroom at Leeds head office. It was ok and then one day i just got fed up of the way Racing and Betting Shops was heading. They got computers in to settle the bets which took half the fun away and was more interested in how much the Roulette machines made than the bets, I just gave my notice and left, hardly been in a betting shop since. That was 5 years ago. I could write a book on the things ive seen! Since then i've ran a newsagents and now as many of you know I'm a Photographer, finally making a hobby pay for itself. As far as Racing goes today, I follow NH Racing closely but not the flat so much, hate the AW but also understand its place in the game. Used to like the Dogs too, had Greyhounds at Sunderland, Brough Park and Leicester before it was closed down, like to get back into that at some stage. I dont bet that much anymore to be honest, I play around on Betfair and mainly back horses for a place and dont back odds on. Like to seek a bit of value and watch as many races as possible, in fact I record all meetings every day and watch them back, your eyes are the best form book in the world, racereaders nowdays miss so much in my opinion and can mislead the betting public. Trust your own opinion. BH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRat Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Joe aged 24. Been gambling now for about 18 months Used to gamble for a laugh before I watched a footie game or whatever, but was extremely bored at Uni and was skint so started betting on horses for a laugh and just looking at the form really. Started getting into it and learning more, then stumbled accross this place and been gaining more knowledge ever since. Even ended up writing my dissertation on The effect on online gambling on the industry as a whole! Managed to turn 2 quid into 70 at uni which helped a lot at the time! Mainly helped by a tip on here, Klasson to win the darts at 100/1. Wish I put more than a few pence on it! Don´t really lay horses, will bet EW if 5/1 or more as a rule. Still learning but feel I´m improving each month Bigges tthing I have learnt is what not to bet on I think this year. Used to make too many bets but over time you learn what races you are not as strong in, and what you are, although I would not say I have a specific strength or favourite race. Prefer the flat and Im annoyed its nearly over, but still like the jumps! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZuluWarrior Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? My names Danny, I'm 26 and been gambling (properly) for about the same time as TheRat, I used to bet for fun with my old man on the big races and stuff and thats where the interest sprouted from. I'm a computer programmer and data analyst by trade and so you can see that the horse racing, with all its form, facts and figures was like a candy store for me! Still learning this game, and have yet to get beyond small interest stakes, but have build up alot of good info from this forum and these guys:ok Some of the big things I've learned are not to bet every day, ignore those short priced favs, the going is the most important thing in racing and pay attention to everything! I went to my first race meeting only 2 weeks ago with the PL Uttoxeter meet up, really enjoyed it and it has encouraged me to go again! Being quite 'young' in the game this is pretty much the biggest gambling related memory I have (thanks guys for making it such a good one :cheers), apart from beating my dad 2 consecutive years on the grand national with big priced selections (I was a kid, he used form, I used the names, lol). As you can imagine, systems is where I'm at, while I'm still learning the form and trend game, but I am always looking for a way to 'computorise' what I learn and develop better systems for finding winners (or as this year has provven a few times, losers!) I love watching the jumps (not as keen on the hurdles, prefer chases and NH) but prefer to bet on the flat, with the sprints being my fav betting arena really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mileni4uk Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Milen 24 aged, from Bulgaria. Started betting at school on the football. Wasn't staking much, but always been a gambler. Friends say it's in my blood. Had some nice hitss, but lost plenty of quid back then and stopped doing it. Started it again last summer and this time online. Found this place and the thing that brought me to horse racing was Slapdash's system. Then I started visiting ATR and started following the sport. My first love are the jumps and that's why it is impossible to likethe flat. I just don't like it. Or at least not as much as the jumps. Flat is still entertaining, but I'm not that interested in it :) My 2 biggest wins are 2 saturdays with some e/w doubles from tips in here. Won 2 times 1000 Euros and this is actually my betting bank right now :) I remember some nice winners from there. My biggest winner is one Frisky's fancy at 85s' at Betfair. Never been on a horse course in my life, but I'll soon come to one of these PL meetings :ok Currently getting ready for the jumps with a list of 30-40 horses to follow. Cheltenham festival is just amazing. I can't describe you where I was hidden in my office to watch the races :lol This year I won't be working for sure during the festival week ;) I think the most entertaining race is the Grand National, but probably the most unpredictable too. Starting to do things more professionally lately with betting banks for every thing. Using percentages for my bets. The only way to win from betting is to have enough bank for the bets in the long term. So actually when the losing run ends I have to be sure I'm still betting nice ammounts that can make up for the losses. The best jockey for me is AP, but my favourite ones are N Schofiled and David England and I predict very very bright future for them. 2 horses that might do a great season are expected to be Don't Push It and Twist Magic. Remember where you heard it first :loon Otherwise I'm in the IT branch and I work for HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slapdash Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Started it again last summer and this time online. Found this place and the thing that brought me to horse racing was Slapdash's system. Then I started visiting ATR and started following the sport. Well, glad I've done something for ATR. :ok Good thing you didn't find my system this year, otherwise you'd probably have moved on by now. :lol Otherwise I'm in the IT branch and I work for HP. Small world. My partner works for HP. I've not been very active in ATR, but I do read what the rest of you post, so I hope you don't mind me adding my bit. I've just turned 45, and I'm a mathematician for a living. I developed a passive interest in betting as a child. My Dad's main hobby was horse-racing. I doubt he made any money at it, but I doubt he lost much either. It's a pity he died before Betfair and internet betting forums took off, as I'm sure he'd have loved them both. I can't pretend to know much about racing, certainly compared to some of you lot, and I think my edge, if any, in betting (not just on horses) is understanding the maths of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoodyTHFC Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? I am James and I turned 19 last month and I am student of politics at Queen Mary University in London. I have always been interest in sport and many kinds of sport from a very young age and even watched Klinsmann at Spurs first time live when I was 5. Since the turn of the century I have had a season ticket and get to all the home games and some away although not too many and I will be off in an hour tonight. As for horse racing i have always followed it but only in the last year have I legally bet on it and with a fair bit of foolish decisions to start with but I feel I have improved with experience but being a student funds are not brilliant. My Dad put on a fair few bets in the past notably Rough Quest in the 1996 National which is the only time I have won that race and I think I got £7 for a £1 which was a lot for me then. Cornish Rebel was my first bet in the 2006 Gold Cup and I thought I was dead unlucky that day as it was cruising until a mistake four out and I won the Derby for the first time this year. Generally if I have a forumla whish I do not really it is to have a collection of horses I see and put them in the Racing post notebook and add to it, sometimes it works, I remember Boscobel first time at Kempton last winter and thinking that will go on and it ended up winning at Royal Ascot, a lot of times it does not. I am probably still very raw in the betting world but hopefully I am and will get even better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devil tish Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? e) Red Rita for the Lincoln, asked my Grandad to take the price. He didn't! It opened at 40's, won at 16's. our rita? russ. this went 33/1-16-1 about 30 seconds before the start of the race m8, i was on it too:ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devil tish Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? by the way im ian 36 from bradford. used to work at hills in the head office raceroom in leeds while at college. learnt how to settle bets, and do security checks on betting slips before the advent of computer/scanning technology. worked with a group of 20/30 lads in an office, with 20 tv screens showing live racing/footy/rugby u name it.. and we would bet on it.! used to get some proper hot tips as we would get betting shop managers ringing up with large bets that had been placed or faces backing certain horses. this was 1992ish. been dipping in and out of racing ever since, when having the time. 1st ever winner was sayyedati in the 1000 guineas, but have a soft spot for sprint handicaps. from memory the best winners i have had have been, like russ lammtarra in the derby for walter swinburn. i only got 20's day of the race..lake coniston for the july cup in 95, khayrapour at 16's golden mile goodwood 95, superior premium stewards cup, hidden dragon/perryston view great st wilfred, wow could go on and on. since i stumbled across this forum from playing poker against the lads on s.o, i have found the atr forum, and must admit am getting the bug for racing again....but i definately prefer the flat, so maybe going quiet for a bit. horse to follow from me for next season..bruges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheerluck Holmes Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Hi everyone, I'm Lee, 27 and although I'm not as regular as I'd like to be (on ATR - not in the bowels!) but I thought i'd stick my two penneth in as i love contributing here when I have time (seem to have a distinct lack of at the moment, despite my best efforts!) and have done OK . . . My first bet was Wimbledon v Liverpool in the 88' cup final!! Obvioulsy Liverpool were strong faves but with me being only 8 i didn't really have a clue and I had a £1 bet with my Uncle that the dons would win!! When they did I can remember having this WHOLE pound in my hand and thinking "WOW - This is easy!". :lol Despite my early (misplaced!) optimism I didn't have another bet until 5th October 1999 when I was at Uni. It was my birthday and me and my mate went into Ladbrokes bookies on Percy Street in Newcastle as we had some time to kill before meeting people for drinks (no idea why we went into the bookies) anyway, we had £10 each on Red Guard and it won @ 5/1!! I was over the moon and got into horse racing and football betting pretty heavily. . . . and things have just progressed from there. Learning a little more with each bet (and massively due to this place) I think I have become a "sensible" gambler and solely bet ONLY on the horses and football. Ideally I would like a pot of £1000 to use to gamble, making it a nice (hopefulyl profitable) hobby but as I have alluded to in many of my posts, i just don't have the time (and the money actually!) anymore . . . one day, one day. I try to get to as many racecourses as I can and have probably been to about a dozen - my favourite by a long way is Hexham. A wonderful, wonderful course!! My local track (1/2 a mile away!) York is great too but i can't be doing with all the people and the a$$holes. I much prefer the jumps and I love doing the placepot, a daft bet perhaps but I only play with small stakes and i've had a few nice returns. There's nothing like cheering a couple of horses home on the 6th leg after you've had a placer in each race! I firmly believe that one of the best tools for a new punter is YESTERDAY'S Racing post and an inquisitive mind. Looking back at the results of the day with the RP in hand and figuring out HOW and WHY a horse is invaluable for picking winners (and losers for that matter) and something i should still be spending more time on than I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowles10 Posted October 31, 2007 Author Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? . . It wasnt the money that mattered, it was just being part of it, we stood next to a guy that had been to the last 38 Derby's, thats history for you. BH Might have been my old man, he has been to every derby since 1948 give or take 2 or 3 when he lived abroad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodie Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Ok, here is my little bit.. 21 in May, been gambling for about 4 years now but only the last year I've learnt the art of being disciplined with my bets. I used to have anything up to ten bets a day but now I'll be lucky if I find ten bets to be had a week! Since being more selective with my bets I've found that I'm making a consistent profit. Most of my betting is now done on betfair got into that about 2 years ago when I was on holiday one year and this guy all he did all day was sit in the bar on his laptop watching the racing, asked what he was doing and he showed me how to bet in running and I was hooked after that as soon as I got home I signed up to betfair the rest is history :) Been following racing for ages now been watching it since I was like 8 best sport in the world in my opinion even if I haven't had a bet on it I can watch it all day even the US racing. Also follow greyhounds quite a bit usually at Wimbledon a couple times a month. Wouldn't mind one day getting a job as a bloodstock agent that would be awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete10 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Hi My Name is Peter iam 38 , Been watching racing since i was a kid in the 70's . It was just a passing interest on a Saturday , But fun trying to pick some winners. Anyway i was mainly into watching Reading Fc play , But then through a lad that I gave a job to ,I meet his dad and i blame him for getting me into it . The horse in question is Soviet Song , She didn't win her race that day but after that i was hooked. I dont really bet much these days just try to work out some winners on any given day , Just like a big jigsaw puzzle getting it all to fit , Anyone who trys to solve it is respected by me as it can be dam hard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyHills Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Some great posts here guys, fascinating how we all have different backgrounds and come from all over the place yet still meet up on a regular basis, keep em coming and dont be shy in posting in other threads in the future. Just archiving my rules Reasoning is STRICTLY required for all bets (All reasoning must be the authors original copy) STRICTLY no editing of posts containing tips, if you need to correct something do it in another post, any late edits will result in disqualification from the competition. 1 Bet per day, Max. If more than one is posted they will be void unless a main pick is specified by the poster. Reserves will be allowed in 2011, reasoning must accompany any reserve selections just as the origional. All bets posted must be at least 10 mins before the race time (no exceptions)and include the Time, Course, Price and Selection Early prices can be taken but must be available at the time of the post in the competition thread, these will be checked and if the price was not available SP will be used, any constant infringement of this rule will result in elimination from the competition. Layers can also take prices in the same manner. Prices cant be changed once posted and must be in the origional post, the first price taken is the only one that will count, all edits can be seen by moderators. Any Bets with no price quoted or Bookmaker stated will be taken at SP The prices can be taken at the following bookmakers only; 88sport. No Exchange Prices are allowed. R4 5p and 10p will be waived for the purpose of the competition. Best Odds Guaranteed is allowed at the following Bookies only; >Bet365, Tote, >Boyles, >Betfred, VCBet, >Paddy Power, Laddies, Corals and >Hills You may choose a 1pt Win bet, a 0.5pt Each Way bet or a 1pt Lay bet. If you do not state a bet type, it will be entered as a 1pt Win bet. The following rules apply for Lay and Each Way bets: Each Way Bets The following terms will be applied to all each way bets: Non-Handicaps 5-7 runners = 1/4 odds 1-2 8+ runners = 1/5 odds 1-2-3 Handicaps 5-7 runners = 1/4 odds 1-2 8-11 runners = 1/5 odds 1-2-3 12-15 runners = 1/4 odds 1-2-3 16+ runners = 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4 Lay Bets All lay bets are lay to win only, and can be on any race at any price. All Lay bets are to be calculated to 1pt Liability basis. All races and race types listed in the Racing Post Cards and Results with an SP are acceptable, no conditional bets are allowed, ie; enhanced place terms, without the fav etc.. In all cases, the Forum moderators agreed decision is final The BBOTD Competition will be sponsored by Stan >James, £15 to the winner and £10 to the runner up each month. The winners will require a Stan >James account to accept these awards, these prizes can not be withdrawn. The free bet prizes must be used within 30 days or they will be deleted from your SJ account. 12 bets must be placed each month to qualify. "Best Bet of the Day” Award Rules, each month an award will be given for the top tipster. You must post at least 12 bets in compliance with the above rules within a calender month. For strike rate purposes, any bet that makes a profit will be declared a winner, any EW bet that is placed but returns less than the 1pt stake will be marked up as a loser. The Tipster with the best profit overall at the end of Dec 31st 2010 will recieve a Trophy. Minimum 100 bets throughout the year must be posted for this award. Greyhound Bets are allowed but must be named, no trap numbers allowed. :clap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowgli77 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? I’m Phil, 30 years old and been gambling/backing horses since about 19yrs old. I was walking past my local bookies when my uncle was on his way in and said he’d had a bet on four horses. He asked me if I wanted to buy into his bet and go half stakes. I gave him £5 and got about £120 in return as all his horses won and thought easy money. Started going in the bookies regularly and used to do all my betting there till a few years ago. It’s very tempting to back in every race when you are in there and the £100 you just won has soon gone on a load of donkeys you had no intention of backing. I would normally say I prefer the flat racing but I really enjoyed last jumps season and watching the racing at the weekend from Aintree made me realise that there were probably more exciting finishes than in the whole of the flat season, those last hurdles and jumps add something to the sport. I prefer to stick to the better class races, there is less fiddling and more incentive on the horses winning than losing. As most people already know I like to select a number of horses that I will follow through the season and they have to show a genuine attitude or some level of ability. If a horse I fancy is beaten fair and square by a better horse it’s fine but if it has not run to form I like to find out why, whether it be race tactics, ground, trip, injury or being just poor on the day. This has paid off for me numerous times, mainly at Cheltenham when I suddenly hit winner after winner last year and took the bankers thread into profit with my usual suspects like My Way De Solzen, Voy Por Ustedes and Inglis Drever. I also really fancied Chief Dan George at Cheltenham and it didn’t perform. I gave it another chance at Aintree soon after and tipped it up on here at 33-1 and it won, also being matched in running for one lucky punter at about 300-1. Boscobel and Silkwood were others I put in the PL notebook from our trip to Wolverhampton races. I don’t personally like AW racing very much but those two horses have paid me back big time after their Royal Ascot successes. I think everyone should have a notebook, either paper notebook or virtual notebook as you are then testing your ability to pick future winners or future stars. I wanted to prove myself in the ATR forum and gradually got noticed after putting up plenty of reasoning with my selections. I don’t know why anyone would back a horse without it, if you are willing to put your money on it then know why you are backing it. Would you a buy a car from Auto Trader if the advert read "Ford Focus - £3,000" but had no other details? Always like to hear other people’s opinions and have only used Betfair recently. I have started to do more place betting now too. If I fancy a horse ew but I’m not too confident on it winning I might put more on the place part of the bet and back win/place on betfair instead of ew with a bookies. I used to use bet365 mainly but their early odds are often poor. One of my best selections on here was 3 horses against the fav in a sprint (my least successful type of race) and they came in in the correct order at 20-1, 20-1 and 50-1 with the winner being my nap that day. I try get to the local courses like Pontefract, York, Doncaster, Wetherby, Ripon etc and also try get to the Punters Lounge meetings but I’m definitely leaving the Mrs at home next time as she picked 5 winners and I couldn’t pick my nose at the last one. I like this thread because it gives some background to a user name. I’ve met people off punters lounge too and it is weird because suddenly a user name is a real person in front of you and you feel like you already know them. If you haven’t been to any PL race meetings yet you should try get to one, just don’t ask me for any winners. Finally, for the jumps season I’d say keep an eye on Star De Mohaison. I really like this horse and if Nicholls has it fit and ready to go it will win some big races this season. The other would be Katchit, saw it last season at Wetherby, followed it and was really impressed. Bowles is the man for the trends and I’m sure he will pick out following Ferdy Murphy’s horses at Cheltenham, the man can’t be ignored. 33-1 and 50-1 winners for a trainer who does really well there. One horse I won’t touch is Detroit City, for me it looked like it was fed up of racing; it was lacklustre and uninterested and will be one to swerve in my opinion. Don’t forget to get an entry in the PL 10 to follow for the jumps season too, the more the merrier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socky1 Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? I’m Andy 29, I have been into horse racing pretty much since I was 16. Having tried my hand at every conceivable form of gambling over the years, Horse Racing is probably the only one I can honestly say I’m any good at. The love affair started for me way back in 95 when I was mentored by one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met called Wilf. At 16 years old I think it’s very difficult to listen to somebody when they are trying to give you useful information but this guy had a charisma to him that made that made everything he said interesting. Over the next few years despite the fact he was in his late fifties we became very good friends from our time in the bookies and stuff and I even went racing with him a few times. Basically he taught everything there is to know about reading form, but unfortunately one thing he couldn’t pass on to me no matter how much he tried was discipline. I had to learn that lesson the hard way, many a time I’d spend all day studying the form to pick out one really good winner only spunk it all on the 6:06 at Monmore. Eventually my attitude towards gambling changed. I started working in the industry about 4 years ago which really opened my eyes to a lot things since then despite the odd lapse occasionally I manage to enjoy racing more than ever. What do I love most about horse racing? Well I’ve have to say actually going to the races; you cannot beat a day out at the races with the lads although I get just as much enjoyment watching a winner in the comfort of my own home. My PL experience so far, joined up about two years ago and although perhaps not as active on the tipping front as I used to be I still very much enjoy lerking about reading some of you other guys views. As some of you may know I don’t bet on flat racing, which is why I have been rarely about over the last 6 months but expect plenty more of my views again as the jumps season really gets itself into gear. Socky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedthewolf Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? 34 or is it 43 yo extremely good looking ulster man who speaks his mind.My 1st bet was like a lot of people in the grand national.I was 13 this horse ran very well the 4(i think) years it ran in the race no not Red Rum THE PILGARLIC i backed it e/w every year it ran.My uncle loved to back fav's he would then go to the pub to watch them with his 1/2 pint of bass and a whiskey chaser(black bush)it was he who tipped me my 1st winner CHARLIE MUDDLE that was me hooked.I like the jumps best and my fav was DAWN RUN.I love going to the track it gives me a buzz.I hate cheating in racing/sport. I have been to the dogs a few times and also horse trotting when in oz.I enjoy most sports and i am proud when someone from our we country does well. :cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socky1 Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Trust your own opinion. BH Simple advise, but the key to being sucessfull in this game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowles10 Posted November 8, 2007 Author Share Posted November 8, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? more from me............ we owned a few racehorses Clarendon (IRE) - bought from Vic Soanes yard to go jumping with Philip Hobbs. Won 3 on the trot before failing badly in the Lanzarote hurdle when favourite on tacky ground. Went novice chasing but was injured when falling at the last in front at Newton Abbott. never recoverd fully & wasnt the same horse again. Oudalmuteena (IRE) - raced on the flat with Vic Soane before a couple of noovice hurdle attempts before we sold it on. Never reached any major heights during the 2 years we had it. A couple of placed efforts only. Stanford Rose - our first horse probably bought around 1988. we took it off the flat to go hurdling with a trainer named Angela Knight (her husband George rode them). They lived in a caravan in Cullompton devon! Great scenary from thier gallops & the day we went to see it make its debut, the horse looked an absolute picture. It never developed into a hurdler but it won a couple on the flat for us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmac Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Well, I guess it is my turn... After an enforced absence from this place I am back, and looking forward to the jumps season. My name is Alex, am 24 years old and live in Reading. I am first and foremostly a Geography teacher, but also teach Rugby, Football and Cross Country to the lads at my school. I get to travel aswell, having set up a partnership with a school in Oman in the Middle East. Thats enough about me, now onto my 'background'... I first started gambling with my little brother when I was 15 and he was 13. We were both tennis players, and we used to sneak into ladbrokes and put on ridiculous tennis accys. These things came in a few times, making us what seemed like a fortune back in those days. From there, I started to regularly punt on football, rugby, tennis and cricket. I stumbled across the PL when I was a first year uni student and I wanted to know what a 'Super-Yankee' bet was. I typed something into Google and found a link to this place - the rest is history. As horses go, I was never really into them until 2nd year at Uni. I studied at Newcastle, and one day went up to Gosforth Park for a distinctly average flat meet. I instantly fell in love with the sport, and have not looked back since. I would say that racing is now my number one past-time. I regularly back horses, and have now reched the stage where I take an interest into how racing 'works'. This summer I tried to get to as many race meets as I could. I got to Royal Ascot, The Eclipse, The Champons Meeting at Newmarket and a good 10 other meets. I simply love it, I love the atmosphere, I love seeing the animals parade, I love chatting to the jockeys... I even treated myself to a VERY small percentage in a horse called DESERT LIGHT. He is a 6 year old gelding who runs on the all weather tacks in the midlands and the south. Last year he won 2 races from 13 and was placed another 5 times. I am hoping for a bit of fun with the 'ownership' lark this year. As for my bets - I am not a terribly good gambler. My problem is I have no discipline. I chase losses and have on more thanone occasion had to take a break from the game to sort myself out. I now know however, that I have fixed any 'problem' I may have had. I have become very disciplined, using level stakes E/W bets only. I have a 'stable' of about 30 horses I always back, and have become far more successful after employing this tactic. Saying that, gambling is not the reason I love horse-racing. I only ever back my horses with small bets (I simply do not have the money to place larger bets). I just love everything that comes with the sport. My favourite memory of horse racing was seeing my favourite horse 'Ouija Board' in the flesh, at last yeasr Eclipse. Sadly, she did not win on that occasion, but I still will never forget 'meeting' her. Other highlights include seeing Kauto Star win the Tingle Creek last year and backing Numberixvalverde at huge odds ante-post for the National a few years ago. Placepots seem to be my nemesis... I have lost count of the number of occasions I have go to the 6th leg and not had a placed horse! Well, thats my 'story'. This year I will be posting up comments on my 'stable' of horses as, and when they run. I am hoping to come out the over end of the season 'up', but if I don't I know I will have had alot of fun along the way... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexmac Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Oh yeah, and I worked in a bookies for 2 years in Newcaslt ewhere I saw some very funny, and often very sad sites... Thats what now keeps my head screwed on... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Hedonist Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Hello folks. Unsurprisingly my name is Tom. I'm 38 years old. I think my first ever bet was when I was at school, about 14-15 yrs old. I bet several friends that I could go the whole day without speaking, although I was allowed to answer teachers. I almost made it as well, until with about half hour to go someone tapped me on the shoulder and I turned round and said "Yes, mate?" I ended up paying out about £7, which was more than my paper round earned me in a week :sad I make the occassional trip to Romford Dog track, as I live quite close by, but I've yet to get to a horse meet. I like the madness of dog racing. A quick gander at the form for the next race whilst queueing at the bar, stick a bet on, rush track side and yell "Come on the f*cking four dog!!!" for a minute. Then back to the bar and repeat the whole process until the last race has finished. I've been betting regularly for about two and a half years. Generally I bet just at the weekends unless i have a day off during the week, which doesn't happen too often. Initially I put on lots of Lucky15s. Like most people I had the occassional big score, but in the long run I gave it all back and more. Now I like to take a far more disciplined approach. I bet for small stakes, with the theory that if I'm any good at it my bank roll will grow and so the stakes will slowly increase. I study the form for each race and use the Sporting Life site to base my initial selections on the going and whether the horse has previously won/placed at that distance and/or course and whether the jock has previously won on the horse. I then use the Racing Post website to check the BHA, Topspeed and RPR. I try to avoid short odds (2/1 and under) and prefer to try and find an outsider to back each way. I much prefer the flat and have ended up in profit for the past two seasons. However I feel like a complete fish out of water during the jumps season and last year gave back what I'd made during the summer. :cry I use the same 'formula' for making my selections, but I just don't seem to be able to crack it. I don't post enough of my selections on ATR, although now the flat season is over, I'm not sure they'd be of any use to anyone in any case. On a side note, when I started gambling my Mrs was worried I'd lose everything (addictive personality:$). Now whenever I have a winner at decent odds, she says "Why didn't you tell me, I'd have given you £100 to put on it" :rollin "Cos it might have lost, luv!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mileni4uk Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? On a side note' date=' when I started gambling my Mrs was worried I'd lose everything (addictive personality:$). Now whenever I have a winner at decent odds, she says "Why didn't you tell me, I'd have given you £100 to put on it" :rollin "Cos it might have lost, luv!"[/quote'] Not only you, mate :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoneedsrio Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Must be my turn then. I'm John & in late February next year I shall knock up the half century :eek I've always liked watching the horse racing, I can remember watching Grandstand in black & white in the 60's with my Dad & trying to pick the winner. He was never into gambling, other than a couple of lines on the pools so I can't blame him for my interest. When I left school in 1974 I started as an apprentice printer, one of the printers liked a bet & on most Saturday mornings we worked over, I'd pick three out & Vic would put them in a round robin. One Saturday he says "what we got"? I showed him my three picks. "Theres that crackerjack Irish horse in that race" he says so I dropped my choice & picked another. Of course the sub gets beat, the other two win at decent odds & my original choice turns over the Crackerjack :sad At first I was more into the jumps, this was the time of Night Nurse, Monksfield & the horse that was, still is & probably always will be my favourite Sea Pigeon, twice champion hurdler & the best handicapper on the flat that ever walked the planet. Over the years though I became more interested in the flat to such an extent that during the 90's I bet very little over the sticks. Like most I staked small on yankees etc for a good few years till the late 80's. By now I'd started working shifts which is where the money was in printing. I'd saved up a betting bank & started betting mainly in win singles. 1987 was a breakthough year for me, I kept a record of my bets & made a profit, that was the year Mtoto won the first of his two Eclipse's. Things continued pretty much in the same vein till around 1999. I moved house that year & as part of the new mortgage I had to open a current account, so there I was with a seperate debit card. I'd had a little dabble with the odd internet bet but now I could stick my betting money in there & keep it apart from the normal account & it's very rare I go in a betting shop now. When it falls right for my shift pattern I do go racing, mainly to York where the standard is nearly always good but I have been to most of the Northern tracks. In terms of staking, at the start of each season flat & jumps I reset the bank to 1000pts. My maximum bet would be 10% of the start bank & the minimum 1%, the average bet is around 30pts or 3%. It wouldn't increase or decrease as the bank goes up or down it would stay the same for the season. At the end of the season the bank is reset either up or down & it all starts again. Betting this way if you are sucessful allows the bank to grow steadly till you arrive at your "choke point" this is the level where your maximum bet is the most you are prepared to stake. At this point you bet to this level & even if your bank increases you do not up the stakes Selection wise I tend to follow the same pattern year in year out, I know the races I like & the ones I don't. I use the reverse selection process, looking to see why a horse can't win, if I can't chuck it out it goes on the shortlist. Sometimes I will back more than one in a race, it depends on the odds. I always take a price & most of the time I better or equal the SP. I still mainly go for the win single but will go ew or for a forcast or the odd multiple bet from time to time. ATB. John (Rio) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Hi guys,:) dont often venture into ATR ;) Errmm well ive been betting on the horses properly since 2005 but ever since I went to Wetherby races in 1991 I was hooked on the whole betting lark. Like I said only got into it properly via my mate who I sometimes bring to PL meet ups. I read the form etc and scour the internet for any clues to races but as you might have noticed Im a bit of a Godolphin fan so sorry for the boys in blue tips that havent come in:( One thing I have learnt from guys on here that in this game you never stop learning and just when you've found the 'key' to spotting winners other factors come into it, but Im more of a " Why is such a such a trainer taking 1 to such a such a place" or why is a jockey booked for 1 ride in the 12.40 and his next/last ride at 5.00. I like to read between the lines but recently Ive looking more into the stats of racing ie why 1 trainer targets a specific race. plus as you know I do own Farbets.co.uk which mainly gives out Football tips and Racing tips for free. Errm thats about it really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtw1 Posted November 28, 2007 Share Posted November 28, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Hello out there ;) Name - JOHN Age - 46 A brief history ------------- Been following the Horses since i was knee high to my Uncle George who took me to AYR races where he was a member . Started betting when bookies shops were dark and dingy holes , your betting slip in those days was not unlike an old fashioned bus ticket and it was up to you to remember how much you'd bet and who you'd backed !!! In the in-between years i've seen plenty old good /great racehorses and tried to visit as many racecourses as i could . Nothing beats a day at the races and for quite a few years i was a regular at KELSO ,even though i stayed in EDINBURGH at the time. Saturdays were as follows - Out of bed , dressed , down to buy the SPORTING LIFE [ now that was THE best racing paper , It was the Bookies and the Arab money behind the RP that forced it out of business :cry] Study said SPORTING LIFE for a couple of hours , make selections , go to bookies with my bets + old mans , sit and watch ITV 7 / Grandstand [ Then along came Channel 4 ] , after telly racing finished along to bookies to Listen on the old blower to a few more races , back for football results , tea time , Dr who and then if Dad had won a few bob and Uncle George was visiting we'd be off to POWDERHALL dogs to lose the lot !!!! AH GLORY DAYS. Something strange happened after a few losing visits to KELSO ; now i don't wish to sound big-headed but i usually came back winning /level more often than not throughout the season ] but as i say the losing days started to outnumber the rest and i basically fell out of love with the game . Remember one meeting where if it wasn't odds-on shots winning it was 20/1+ shots with absolutely no chance on paper of winning and i distinctly remember the Fav [ decent odds] in a Seller [ i know :\] drifting like a barge but your's truly lumping on and left scratching my head when it trailed in about 40 lengths behind a supposed no-hoper. Ever since then , as the regulars on ATR will have noticed , i have long periods where i'm just not interested but then that little bug that bit soooo many years ago has a bite again and the good memories come back and once again i'm hooked [ for a while any way] Nowadays i tend to try and NOT study form too much and prefer to follow the statistical approach which has it's ups and downs but its what i prefer to do now and it can find a few winners , until the losers start and i go into hibernation again :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billboard Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? I'm John....31 next week, live in Dublin (from Kent)...work for an ad agency. Horse racing has been in my family for years....a huge oil of Desert Orchid dominates my parents living room. My 1st bet was Dessie when I put half my days pay from my Saturday job in the local bakery when he won the 1989 Gold Cup....had to beg my Grandad to put it on for me. 1st trip to the races was the 1995 Derby....had 30 quid on Lamtarra at 14/1. Love flat racing, jumps I can take or leave. Horses are the only sport I bet on and I've been playing poker for money since I 15. Royal Ascot is my Christmas and the Derby is my birthday!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuleBritannia Posted December 8, 2007 Share Posted December 8, 2007 Re: ATR - Who are we? Hi Im assuming I qualify to post here, even with my part-time status on the board. My name is Allan, live in Glasgow and an avid Glasgow Rangers supporter, 28 years old, happily married with 2 kids and another on the way. Enough of the personals..... Had my first bet when I was 16/17, scored a 12/1 winner with £2 and that was me hooked as they say. Not a great lover of the big horse race meetings but more the smaller, trappier meetings. If I had a specialist subject with regards to horses, it for some reason would probably be Irish racing as I tend to solve the heats there much much easier than UK, also like a bit of AW. My favourite horses in training are Harchibald, Detroit City, Fair Along and Al Eile. My favourite horse of all time is Azertyouip, and I personally feel that the era of the "Holy Trinity" was the most exciting in the modern era of Jumping. Think thats about it........ anything else you want to know or think I have missed, feel free to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cassius Marcellus Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 Re: ATR - Who are we? No Sky telly (poor bastard) so I never watch racing unless it's on terrestrial telly. I'm John, and 56, but being older doesn't necessarily make you wiser in this game. My first bet was on the flat and was on the sprinter Jukebox, because my grandad said it was going to win. I had half a crown each way and it won at 100/8. My first classic winner was Sleeping Partner, who won the 1969 Oaks at 100/6 (I think it was 100/6, can't be arsed to check) I was taught block settling systems etc etc, by a bloke who worked for the bookie I work for now. I managed shops for him, (an east London independent) in the early 70s. I went away for a while, and while I was gone he sold them all bar one to Labrokes. I still work Saturdays for him now, though this one shop is all that's left of what we used to jokingly refer to as 'The Empire'. I suppose working for bookies you realise that laying is better than backing, and that's what I do most days on Betfair. I still bet now and again, but the lays make more money than the bets, which are generally no good, apart from (like Carl) following the patterns of a certain jockey. I've had my disasters, but manage to just stay in front, but I'll never be rich, not with my daughters and a Mrs who could shop for England in the Olympics, and the Gold medal would be a mere formality. My best ante-post bet. Me and my mates had got stuck into Dramatist for the Schweppes, about 1973 (?) at around the 20/1 mark. Come the Friday, the day before the race, he was 2/1 favourite. How I wish Betfair had existed that many years ago. It was a Saturday spring morning and I woke up, looked out of the window and my jaw dropped to the floor. It had snowed heavily overnight and the meeting was abandoned. Used to go to West Ham dogs until it closed in the early 1970s, and our favourite hurdler, Sherrys Prince, was unbeaten there. He won three back to back Grand Nationals at White City, despite losing part of his tail when it got caught in the fence in a semi-final. Funniest night at West ham was a Gala Night, just before Xmas, with 12 races, not long before it closed down. Every favourite won. Some bookies had given up and gone home by race 8 and trying to get a bet on for the last few races meant queuing in the freezing cold for what seemed like fcuking ages. But who cares about the cold when the winners are going by. Fcuking hell, just re-read it, I didn't realise that post was so long. I could go on for days... :dude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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