Have Decided To Pack Up

Last season was a bore. Midweek racing is becoming a joke as there are too many horses just running for the experience and a handicap mark. At times last season, with nothing to bet on, was regularly falling asleep in front of the television during the afternoons. The trouble is there are not enough good days to compensate. Also with too many horses avoiding each other many trials are far from interesting or informative. To my mind, the heavy emphasis on the Cheltenham Festival and big handicaps for the rest of the season is slowly killing the sport. The official handicapper is doing his job but is probably being to harsh to triers. Who wants to spend £100k+ on a jumping prospect, win a £3k novice then find that you are handicapped from winning for the next two seasons? Consequently too many shrewd trainers are all wanting to get a horse well in. Well winning races is what they are paid to do. So can not argue. Do not have to watch either.

Had considered getting a job and doing it weekends only but there is too much work. To do time ratings properly I have to time the races myself from the point they cross a starting position. Too many races are started from well behind the tape. At Newcastle last season there was a race where they must have started at least 80yds behind the line. The leader taking over 11 secs to get to the start as they the field ambled along. Officially this was a slow race which made other races look better on the day. In reality it is a nonsense as my adjusted race time was good. Using my own measured times. Am finding that deviations from official racetimes of 4-5 seconds are quite common. Which can mean that by using my times rather than official, ratings can vary by around 20lb or so.

Another problem is the alteration of the course layouts. It is quite understandable from a racecourse management perspective. The problem comes from using a fixed standard time for a particular race distance, when that distance may vary by up to a furlong during the course of the season. I know the problems and can cope, it is just too time consuming. Sitting down and measuring races from a race video, when television angles are not the most convenient. One thing I do not see is anyone else making the adjustments I'm doing.

Being a time person and not being aware of anyone that does the task of time-rating jumps as painstakingly as me. Have decided that if I'm not going to do my own times. With also not being happy with the general state of Jump Racing. May as well pack the sport up altogether. There is more to life than Horse Racing. Have decided to go out and enjoy it while there is still life in me.

Would just like to thank you for your support

Racing Books

Have got a large collection of racing books including Timeforms, biographies, form books, nearly all of the last century for flat I believe. Some fairly old volumes in about 20 boxes. Have been too busy to look at in recent years. I am moving to Central London in the next couple of months and do not want to take them with me. Therefore am happy to let a buyer have the lot for £100. From a logistical point of view, am based in Northwood Middlesex.

Therefore if you a racing fan or just a dealer get in touch by text to 07972117823 asap. Just texts only please. Enquiries will be dealt with on a first come first served basis. That particular phone is set to silent no point in ringing. Voicemail will not be responded to.

Links

Please do not request for links as the list is now closed.

Betdaq

Imagine a world where there is only one pub group, where the price of a pint is the same everywhere and could be cheaper. Or only one supermarket chain with only one brand of coffee at a higher price. Would be frightening to me.

You want to back a horse early in the 2.00. Do you ring up the same bookmaker or do you look around to see who is offering the best price? Why then in the world of betting exchanges do you always use the same outlet?

Is it not time that you used another exchange as well and created some competition in the market place? Help to make Betdaq stronger and boost liquidity by putting the odd bet on there regularly. It may not seem like it in the short term but a stronger Betdaq will mean a better market place for all. Now is a good time to start with the Jumps Season proper about to begin. Click here. to join