Tales From The Betting Ring – Salisbury 03/05/15 @Betfred City Bowl Day #Bettingtales

I enjoyed a very pleasant evening meal after Goodwood with the Pickwick-Bevan organization, gentlemen all, not forgetting one glamorous wife.  Suitably content as is the way after a great night I was very much looking forward to this year’s first day’s racing at Salisbury as I set off this morning.

There was a tremendous crowd for the opening day of the new season too. Many of them were dressed in their Sunday finery trusting the weather forecast that the deluge of the morning was over for the day. Some of the bookmakers on the other hand hadn’t made the same effort. At least that was the observation of one seasoned racecourse regular who was appalled at the fall in standards of on-course bookmakers’ attire. He had a point too, one bookie on a prime pitch was in, wait for it, jeans and scruffy trainers. ‘He wouldn’t be allowed in dressed like that years ago’ sniffed the miffed veteran.

Identity hidden to avoid embarrassment, a flash back to when blue suede daps were all the rage? Oh hang on, were they ever?

A glance along the line did confirm that suits were hardly in evidence, let alone ties. It’s all a far cry from the days of the likes of Harry Metcalfe dressed in a whistle and flute that could have come from Saville Row stood on their pitches calling the bets. Blimey in the old days you could even buy a suit from a shady fellow who beckoned you into the toilets to try on said bargain-priced item of dubious origin and legality.

Rocky and Paul of the Kelross team keep standards on the rail.

Time to wipe those misty eyes and get back to the present where the season kicked off with the Betfred ‘Home Of Goals Galore’ Maiden Stakes. The bookmakers were busy for a good half an hour before the race and reported stakes as modest but brisk. One prominent firm have a secret weapon at this time of year, their paddock judge. She is mustard at picking those with and without chances in maidens on their looks. She comes back from the parade ring with her ‘circles’ on her racecard and they are ignored at your peril. 3/1 runaway winner Harbour Watch was one with a plethora of circles and backed accordingly. I shouldn’t really mention who with so won’t but I doubt Peter Houghton cheered up much from the last time I mentioned him.

Dapper punters show some of the bookies how to tog up for the races.

Second race of the day was the Betfred ‘City Bowl’ Handicap which is a special treat for racegoers as they got to witness at close quarters a flag start down in front of the members’ rail. 10 went to post and betting was brisk in an open market with William Of Orange ans Spectator going off as joint-favourites at 7/2. There were a couple of decent bets. One firm laid a bet of a monkey each-way at 6/1 Rockfella, another of £2750-£500 each-way on Fun Magic. The bookie who laid it was resplendent in a pair of Elvis circa 1972 sunglasses and cool with it joking that ‘The punter didn’t even ask for fractions’. Huh huh you really should ask for fractions when battling on course bookies for maximum value, if you haven’t a clue what I’m talking about check my blog on the subject here. https://simonnottracing.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/value-seeking-on-course-punters-ask-for-fractions/

‘Money Honey, Uh Huh Huh’

Maybe fate was bound to bite ‘Elvis’ on the bum as not only did Fun Magic win, but it won by 11 lengths. The cautious punter who didn’t ask for fractions clopped the lot, savvy to value or not.

The third race on the card was the Betfred ‘Racing’s Biggest Supporter’ Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (Plus 10) and featured a short-priced jolly in Great Page who was backed from 4/7 into 1/3. Touted as a ‘Royal Ascot’ filly the price tumble appeared largely exchange driven but there were a couple of three and four figure cash bets too. Luckily these days when a holiday crowd makes it hard for the ring to ‘get’ the favourite the bookies have the option of laying it on the machine. Those that did and the lucky ones that got the cash in the hod had a result. Pretty much to a man they cheered 8/1 shot Illuminate as she put the favourite in her place in no uncertain terms. It wasn’t all great for the layers though, Bo Brown admitted the winner was his worst in his book, unorthodox at that might seem you can’t get it right all the time.

Glorious at Salisbury.

The Betfred ‘Supports Jack Berry House’ Handicap had a dead-eight field and saw some spirited betting with decent money reported for several horses. Soluble was sent off the 6/4 jolly but could only finish third behind 7/1 into 11/2 winner Maxwell. ‘Elvis’ had laid a lumpy each-way bet St Georges Rock which finished out of the frame so he was all smiles again after a race which was another good one for the busy bookies despite the clipping in price of the winner.

The rails they bet (sans ties)

The fifth race on the card was the Betfred TV EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes. While there didn’t seem to be much in the way of chunks about in the ring Michael Bell’s Fabricate was all the rage backed from 11/4 into 15/8. Bookmakers were keeping their eyes open for the owner or maybe a royal footman wielding a regal wager but none was forthcoming. Maybe her Majesty was too busy visiting the newest great-grandchild. The gamble was landed with some ease despite her absence and to rousing cheers, though not from the bookies. There were stories of big money rolling up on the winner though without details to back that up. Further rumours of the winner being the first leg of a substantial double, the second part being on the baby’s name market are thought outlandish and dismissed by this blog.

The betting ring got the result that they were looking for in the penultimate  Betfred Racing ‘Follow Us On Twitter’ Fillies’ Handicap. ‘Elvis’ was bubbling with enthusiasm enthralling that ‘I’ve never known business like it’ before toning down slightly adding ‘On a Sunday’. He’d laid a couple of ‘rouf’ (£400) bets on Ishiamber at 7/1 and 13/2. Lucky for him then that 16/1 winner Saucy Minx was a neck too good for her at the line. There had also been notable money for Forest Maiden (11/4 into 2/1) and Goodnightsuzy at 7/2 and 4/1. I’m told one sharp-eared bookmaker’s workman copped a nice few quid backing the winner after hearing a connection backing her. Bearing that in mind there must have been a book or two with the shine taken off it.

The ‘lucky last’ was the Betfred Mobile Lady Riders’ Handicap (Lady Amateur Riders) and was won by 8/1 shot Two In The Pink. One punter had a £2000 – £250 that’s 8/1, if he’d asked for the fractions he’d have won the same money for a tenner less. I doubt he was too worried though given the result. Form student and bookmaker’s clerk ‘Q’ Comber backed the winner. One cheeky layer suggested that the winner’s name was slightly risque given it was a ladies race. I’m confused by that one, if anyone could help me out there! Whatever he meant I doubt that’s the reason ‘Q’ the shrewdie backed it.

Either way it rounded off a great day’s sport with a huge enthusiastic crowd which augers well for the new season at Salisbury. With that I’m off to Kempton…..

(c) Simon Nott

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#Bettingtales From The Betting Ring – @bet365 Friday @Sandownpark 24/04/15

Just like at Exeter on Tuesday Sandown enjoyed an afternoon of racing bathed in sunshine with an excellent crowd. A large crowd didn’t necessarily translate into big bets though business was reported as brisk, apart from in the second line where Peter Houghton was decidedly grumpy and described his turnover in language too rude for what is a family blog.

If you want it all you have to do is put yours where your mouth is!

The opening race was the  bet365 Esher Cup (Handicap) and boasted nine runners and flip-flopping favourites. The accolade of market-leader eventually went to Yeenaan who had been backed from 5/1 into 7/2 though not to any lumps. The lumps (lump) were reserved for Spring Offensive who attracted a bet of £4500-£1000. That punter must have rued the decision to invest because his fancy never looked like getting involved. In fact once Mutarakez took the race by the scruff of the neck a furlong out it was all over bar the shouting. There was plenty of that as Frankie Dettori still appears to be the champion of the novice punter, when in doubt have it on the only jockey you recognise the name of. Those that did were rewarded with A 7/1 winner, 8/1 if you were on early.

Ian explains the ‘Blue Light Safety System’ and strenuously denies ever calling ‘Money Without Work’!

Only five went to post for the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) with Postponed (15/8) and Cannock Chase (2/1) attracting all the lumpy bets though even those were monkeys rather than grands. While the big punters got stuck into the market leaders the more modest backers stuck with ‘their man’ Frankie on Western Hymn. It was no surprise to see the gelding backed from 5/1 into 7/2 though a welcome one for the ring to see it win and land a quick-fire double for his jockey. So far the books were more than happy for their oft cursed nemesis to enjoy a brace of winners with the results in their favour.

Joe O’Gorman explains to Channel 4 that despite only being established in 1925 they are still better in every way than Jack Bevan (est 1897).

Peter Houghton was still grumpy, but not quite as bad as he was apparently.

Frankie didn’t have a ride in the bet365 Mile (Group 2) reduced to six runners. The warm order for the race was Shifting Power backed from 9/4 into 15/8 after bets of £4500 – £2000, £1000-£500 and so on. Once again those that backed the jolly did their money when it could only finish third behind 4/1 shot Custom Cut. Peter Houghton even nearly smiled.

Glorious in the sunshine at Sandown.

The fourth heat on the card was the bet365 Classic Trial (Group 3). Only four went to post with Frankie Dettori on the odds-on favourite Commemorative. Given that Frankie had already ridden two winners and that the jockey has form for racking the winners up in one afternoon it was supposed that the ‘firms’ might get involved backed the jolly. There were some decent bets for the colt, mostly at 8/11 including £1600 – £2200, but not the deluge of money that might have been expected, but still enough for the price to be clipped to 4/6 at the off. If the bookies were just scraping a few quid so far they were roaring when the race went to 12/1 outsider of four Master Apprentice.

The post-race banter was very illuminating. Barry Dennis asked if I’d been to the paddock before the race, I hadn’t. He then went on tell me that the favourite looked ‘fat’ and even went to the lengths of illustrating just how around his own not unsubstantial girth. There was also a tale that had gone around the ring prior to the race that a punter had supposedly walked into a betting shop at 11am and asked for £2000 at 14/1 the eventually winner. The story went on the relate that the customer was obliged with just 10% of the requested stake and sent on his way. You can assume that it was only seconds later that the word from those in the know got around eventually to the ever listening ears of the on-course bookies. Needless to say the outsider of four had been ducked, that task appeared to be made easier that hardly a Denar was seen for the winner on course hence the 10/1 to 12/1 drift. Maybe the word from the paddock and money for the ‘rag’ accounted for the off course firms being conspicuous by their absence.

Peter Houghton was now beaming.

Amazing what a result or two will do.

Of course as we all know it’s foolhardy to get too excited before the fat lady has sung. The ring were brought back down to earth with a bump when Waady won the bet365.com Handicap. When I say won, I mean hosed up after several decent bets were struck at 5/2 and the SP of 9/4 favourite.

Business was reported to have ‘picked up’ by the penultimate, the surge in turnover attributed to corporate guests finally finding their way into the ring and bringing their £40 and £50 bets with them. Strangely very little of that money was seen for Frankie Dettori’s mount Brandybend. The punters latched onto jolly Moonlight Sonata at 6/4 and Leading Design backed from 5/1 into 4/1. Racegoers should have kept faith with the man in form. Frankie did it again and landed his treble by a hard fought head from 16/1 shot La Boheme with the jolly back in third. The winner had been allowed to drift from 11/2 to 8/1 which you’d imagine would have really looked nasty in that plethora of off-course Yankees, if of course they existed.

Peter Houghton was bracing himself for an off-course plunge, with some trepidation too, he’d been Gary Wiltshire’s right-hand man when Frankie rode his industry-busting magnificent seven back in 1996. To make things worse for those bookies facing roll-up bets the four-timer was a real possibility with Dettori riding one of the day’s bankers, John Gosden’s Jack Hobbs who opened up at a shade of odds-on at 10/11. That price touched evens when support poured in for Stravagante backed at all rates down from 7/1 into 4/1, none of that was to ‘noted’ money but the even money attracted the biggest bets of the day with several four-figure sums reported on the rails. Much to the surprise of much of the betting ring the off-course money stayed off course. Maybe people don’t do Frankie Dettori multiples any more. There was another bet worth mentioning, a punter had £250 each way on 33/1 shot Prince Of Paris, what was he thinking, he should have asked for the fractions, don’t understand fractions? See here https://simonnottracing.wordpress.com/2013/05/04/value-seeking-on-course-punters-ask-for-fractions/

While some of the ring may have hoped that the off-course market would inject some cash into the on-course it didn’t take them long to thank their lucky stars that they hadn’t. Jack Hobbs absolutely trounced his ‘opposition’ and won what was supposed to be a handicap by a very easy 12 lengths. Frankie got his four-timer up, hopefully a few Yankees were landed and the on-course bookies gave some back. That impressive victory brought Friday to a close with one legend and whetted our appetite to say goodbye to another tomorrow, no need to tell you who is there.

(c) Simon Nott

If you found this blog via a link on Twitter and enjoyed it,  it would be great if you could re-tweet, thank you.

My  (Award Nominated but sadly unplaced) book ‘Skint Mob – Tales From The Betting Ring’ is a book about the bookies, punters and other wonderful characters I have met in my time on racecourses. There have been some nice reviews. 

If you’d like one you can buy a signed copy  direct  from me via paypal here 

http://www.simonnott.co.uk/?page_id=315

It’s also available on Amazon and on Kindle.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skint-Mob-Tales-Betting-Ring/dp/0992755409/ref=aag_m_pw_dp?ie=UTF8&m=A21IPGCYKI6061

Available on Nook

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Tales From The Betting Ring – A Wet Weekend At Newbury and Exeter

My weekend’s racing action had to survive two inspections, and survive it did. Your (waterproof) hat has to go off to ground staff at Newbury and Exeter who defied not only the elements but the odds too, ‘It’s a million to one that Newbury will be on’ proclaimed one bullish Press Room regular earlier in the week. I would have had a life-changing quid on despite the rain pouring as he  prophecised a weekend washout of biblical proportions but sadly it seemed the odds he was touting weren’t actually available.

Scarf anyone, anyone?

Needless to say I didn’t become a millionaire just before 8am on Saturday morning when racing was given the go ahead. I did get to go to Newbury though so still not a bad outcome. Despite being on, the weather was atrocious for most of the day. Umbrellas were flying about again in the howling wind, the ones that got loose were the lucky ones though because for more than one mush Saturday would be its final day. My bookie mates who occasionally mark my card with their speed-figure inspired selections were loathe to advise anything today. It seems that the going horses have been running in the past few weeks have been unprecedented. They told me that for their own benefit they added a ‘very heavy’ going a few years ago but times in the last few weeks have even been off that scale.

If they aren’t confident enough to tip anything you’d imagine they’d be hoping the dire conditions would come to their rescue with a few ‘funny’ results. Sadly for those layers enduring a literal battering from the elements three of the first four jollies went in. There was a small boost for the ring to discover that a  building had been previously housing the Tote at its entrance had been transformed between meetings into a fish and chips emporium. ‘It was a credit office anyway, only the potless in there so no benefit to us’ dismissed one grumpy bookmaker.

The best plaice for a bet?

Some delightful looking ladies clad in yellow appearing in the maelstrom to dish out Betfair scarves did brighten proceedings. Racegoers keen for something for nothing, but possibly less cynically something to keep the wind out, clamoured to relieve them of their loads. Well they did for a bit but it seemed supply exceeded demand. The bookies did look in need of scarves but the vast majority of them appeared less than keen to don something advertising arguably the catalyst of the betting ring’s downward spiral.

Having said that, a lot of the on-course layers didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory betting to 1/5 the odds in the 20-runner feature hurdle. They were doing nothing wrong of course  but there were grumbles from punters who could easily stand a few yards away in a warm betting shop and get 1/4, that of course was a very inviting option on a miserable day like today. Skinny place odds aside I for one couldn’t begrudge the ring their 33/1 result with Splash Of Ginge, those layers looked frozen out there. You’d have to hope they got their whack out of the race because there was little other respite though they did get the well-backed 5/4f beaten in the bumper. 6/1 shot Definitly Red won the race but I was more interested in  Mountain Of Mourne finishing third at 25/1. The gelding won at Wincanton last time out for Tiverton trainer and second cousin once removed Linda Blackford and local owners. This was a great run in a step up in class so a real thrill for the handler and connections.

Those connections were still buzzing at Exeter, yet another meeting that defied the weather and the odds to be on, though I didn’t hear a million quoted this time. ‘We’re going to Cheltenham with him’ enthused part-owner Bill still hyper over the Newbury third, impervious to the driving sleet and freezing wind. There was more buzzing when it transpired TV celebrity Jeremy Kyle was in attendance to see his Paul Nicholl’s trained Dormello Mo run in the opener. Luke Harvey got to interview the owner before racing who seemed very happy to be at the course despite the weather. While being regaled by Leglock the horse’s odds tumbled from 9/4 into 13/8f, let’s hope Jeremy was on before he was collared by Luke or he might not be so keen to be on the receiving end of a microphone pre-race again. Sadly the favourite went from going very well to appearing to get stuck in the mud eventually finishing 4th.

Haldon Hill does its best to batter the bookies.

By the second race it was snowing, then the sun came out for a bit before we were treated to some rain, this was Haldon at its best. People have often said it’s possible to get all four seasons in one afternoon at Exeter Racecourse and this afternoon was the proof. There was some great racing action out on the course and decent betting in the ring too. There was an excellent crowd despite the initial doubt about the meeting taking place. ‘It’s not been bad, there’s not a huge quantity of bets but there are some decent punters out there’ was Richard ‘Tall Boy’ Watson’s summing up of the day’s business, with a ‘Well worth coming’ top up.

I suppose it depended on which weather forecast you saw really.

By the last Luke Harvey really did deserve an award of some sort, he had stood out in all that the elements could throw at him all afternoon. He’d interviewed owners, celebrities or otherwise, presented prizes and talked to trainers  and all with a smile while looking like he’d just been pulled from a swamp. Back in the ring Philip Hobbs’ Trickaway was being smashed into for the concluding bumper. Some punters got on at 7/4 but those who had dawdled got the crumbs, the gelding went off at 11/10 and landed the gamble despite running all over the track. It was probably lucky I talked to Richard Watson before the last not afterwards, after all, nobody likes to hear of poor beleaguered bookies soaked, freezing  as well as losing money, do they?

(C) Simon Nott

If you enjoy stories about bookmakers and punters I have written about which has been getting some nice reviews. For more information maybe have a look here and see if it might be up your street. http://wp.me/p1dLbd-9n

From the Sunday Independent

Tales From The Betting Ring – Kempton Park 25/11/13

It’s always a pleasure to witness jumping at Kempton. It seems I’m not alone in that opinion with a very healthy crowd turning up for the 7-race card. Given that four of the races were likely to feature an odds-on shot the number of punters may have been a pleasant surprise for some of the layers. The opening race provided the longest odds-on jolly of the day with West Wizard expected to win and sent off at 1/6 accordingly. With 8 runners and a well odds-on favourite the ring was split into win and each-way markets with only the short-one bearing any resemblance to both. Some punters were grumbling about the place market and the fact that bookies betting each-way were not offering win only odds but had no reason to quibble. Even with the each-way market betting to a healthy margin the bookies were still betting to much less than 100% on the places. It wasn’t the places that the punters were interested in, well to be honest most people didn’t seem interested in the race as a betting medium at all but a couple did get involved. One punter waded into Peter O’Toole with £550 hoping to nick £100 off him. Peter took the bet and stuck it in his hod, then confided it’s the biggest bet he’d ever taken in 49 years. Well maybe he should get stuck into the short ones a bit more often because he got it turned over. Not one for over-indulgences Peter and his amiable companion celebrated by putting an elastic band around the monkey, pouring a cup of soup (that looked like tea) and tucking into a sandwich.

Get the Thermos out, we’ve copped!

I’m pretty sure Peter was still munching when odds-on punters got some back when Bear’s Affair justified odds of 3/10, one bookie laid a £300-£900 but it wasn’t him. It wasn’t him who laid the £800-£1100 and £800-£1300 Highland Retreat in the third either, the latter made backing the short ones look a good idea again but not before supporters got a real scare with a clumsy jump at the last. Despite the noted bets the ring wasn’t really alive, nor did it seem was the crowd with the last last two winners called home by isolated punters and polite applause rather than a roar.

If people had been keeping their money as warm as Peter had his winnings waiting for a good betting heat they unleashed it in the fourth. There were chunks for three horses including on Mentalist at 5/1 despite it going on to drift alarmingly. Giorgio Quercus won at 9/2 but hardly unsupported being a Henderson/Geraghty combatant. The fifth race looked competitive but was won with some ease by Dreamsoftheatre who was sent off the 7/2 favourite.

The Kempton market has surprised in the past and it gave the bookies a start again in the penultimate. There were just four runners with Royal Boy a shade of odds-on. There were a couple of monkey bets for the jolly but then the layers got a real shock. A punter appeared on the rails and also appeared to think he was at Cheltenham or Royal Ascot judging by the bets he was asking for, not on the jolly but Baby Mix. Some firms ducked for cover while others took him on, to the tune of over £6000 in noted bets forcing his fancy from 7/2 into 5/2. Whoever the punter was the books need to remember his face because he was right on the money, the layers that accommodated him endured having to sit and watch as the horse drew further away and hoping for the miracle that never arrived coming to their rescue. That situation is of course, nasty.

Did the punter get to Peter O’Toole? I’m not sure he did but to be certain I’ll ask him at Newbury.

(C) Simon Nott

My book ‘Skint Mob – Tales From The Betting Ring’ is out now, it’s available worldwide on eBay, for further information please click

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Tales From The Betting Ring – Newbury 17/05/13

Decent weather and what appeared to be a larger than average Friday crowd was the reward for the bookies that turned out for the Scope and SIA Charity Raceday. Getting to the racecourse was harder from some than others. Full marks to Paul Metcalfe, the fourth generation bookmaker that bets under the name of Jack Bevan (a name that has been seen on racecourse betting rings since 1897). He broke his ankle just a few weeks ago but is already back and betting albeit with the aid of a wheelchair. Of course his fellow layers were full of admiration for his gallant refusal to shy out of work. They showed this admiration by christening him ‘Angel’ after the name of the firm that provided his conveyance proudly displayed on the back of his chair. Sick of that moniker he seemed quite relieved when offered the alternative of ‘Ironside’, though only those over a certain age got that one.

The result of the first race wouldn’t have eased his various discomforts. The favourite, Championship, managed to win despite drifting from 15/8 to 5/2. Worst still one layer was reported to have run into a top-priced £5500-£2000. Even worse than that, the main gamble of the race, Man Amongst Men supported from 33/1 into 14/1, was second, only thwarted in the shadow of the post. The second race result was even worse still. Winsili was backed from 5/2 into 2/1 favourite and fair hosed in. The 14/1 winner of the 5/1 the field handicap third race at least stopped the jolly-winning rot.

Armaloft Alex went down to the paddock prior to the fourth. He came back with a spring in his step and quite bullishly announced that the odds-on favourite Oriel didn’t look too special and he certainly wouldn’t be backing her. It was a surprise then to see that at least one firm appeared to be supporting the filly. I rubbed my hands in anticipation of a paragraph belittling my mate’s lack of prowess as a paddock judge when the jolly won by half the track. I should have had more faith, Armaloft was right, Oriel was a big disappointment, at least for her backers, only managing third. One rails bookie appeared to have made a stand against her financially and was soon packing up to go home.

Ninjago was well-backed in the next including a couple of two grand and grand bets. He was another that could only manage third place. That was another rails firm upping sticks and heading home. They were not alone. right down at the other end of the ring another layer was off, they had been offered a £1000 bet all down there, decided to take and stand it and copped the lot. They too were thanking their lucky stars and making a break for it. The winner Zanetto looked to have landed a bit of a touch from around 5/1 into 10/3 but nothing lumpy was reported on course. Prairie Ranger appeared to  landed another nibble, 9/2 into 3/1 in the next but in doing so beat the favourite so not all bad for the bookies.

As is often the case you could see the thinner crowd and feel the apathy by the seventh race. It didn’t help that it was a hard-looking handicap. You could almost hear the bookies snapping  metaphorical  elastic bands around their winnings too. Nobody was going to stick their neck out in a couple of races where field money was going to probably be minimal. Just as well as a second favourite and a favourite obliged for those jolly-backers who had any money left to play with.

Bookies West End Racing from Southampton stuck it out until the end and couldn’t report having done any good on the last two. They did have some good news though. Lewis Brown who stands for his long-standing family firm told me that he is taking part in a run around Fontwell Park to raise money in memory of his Uncle Matt who recently passed away suddenly aged just 45. Anyone who would like to sponsor Lewis can read more about his effort by following this link justgiving.com/westendracing 

It’s back to Newbury tomorrow for their nine-race card. Proper job.

The show must go on for Jack Bevan and Co.

(c) Simon Nott

Tales From The Betting Ring – Wincanton 09/05/13

It was all a bit confusing arriving at windswept and rainy Wincanton for their penultimate meeting of the season. It had definitely been May at Exeter on Tuesday but it did seem Wincanton had rewound to one of the nastier days of February. The bookies were up against it from the start setting up their gear. Most decided against taking on the wind and preferred to risk their computers getting wet rather than getting airborne. That wasn’t a bad decision when you consider the bin-liners handed out by the racecourse for rubbish were blown up like demonic air-bags all along the rails. The clash with Newton Abbot and Goodwood wouldn’t have helped the numbers of bookies in attendance in any case but they were thinner on the ground than expected. No doubt some deciding to sit at home and relight the fire. Those that did brave the elements got their reward in the opener with a 20/1 winner, but most reported business being terrible, so although a skinner for many the result was hardly a bonanza.

News on the rails from Festival Racing, Andy Smith’s daughter Jessica  reported that the weather conditions for his charity bike ride were worse than THAT Paddy Power Sunday at Cheltenham a few years back. He was cold and wet but determined and looking forward to the rest and relative comfort of the ferry crossing. For those that don’t know about his ride please check my last blog here. http://wp.me/p1dLbd-4E 

The second race of the day featured a very short-priced favourite that opened at 1/6. Captain Kelly looked a certainty, certainly to one intrepid punter who braved the wind and rain to invest £300 at odds of 2/11. He never had a moment’s worry but it wasn’t the best bet in the world as the jolly touched 4/11 for a second or two on the rails before sauntering home at 1/4.

A couple of real enthusiasts made their appearance just before the third. One of them, no less than ‘Armaloft’ Alex was talking of a speed-camera busting time from Newton Abbot. That’s just ‘allegedly’ for any policemen that may be reading. It has to be hoped that he didn’t pick up any speeding tickets because he had been hurtling up the A303 in order to see a horse he has a leg in, Addiction, run only to discover it had been a late withdrawal. All was not lost.  Although he managed to keep his arm down he may still have been tempting fate when he shouted ‘Call the police, it looks like I have backed a winner’ to nobody in particular when Hadden Frost scooted in on Bold Perk completing an across the card treble.

Things didn’t improve for the ring when the next two jollies went in and the weather got worse. You also had to feel for the hardy souls that traipsed into the parade ring in their sodden fancy dress to be judged for the prize of a couple of annual members badges. Chris Down’s Nothing Is For Ever won the last, the 7/2 joint favourite, followed home by the other one. Most of the bookies were already dismantling their kit before they looking up to see that they had done their money again.

As the Grease tribute band kicked off down in the bar the course announcer reminded racegoers that next Tuesday is Ladies Day and that he could guarantee better weather. That was a lofty promise. True it would be hard to imagine worse weather in the middle of May, however, unless he has friends in very very high places you have to hope he’s not related to Armaloft tempting fate like that!

(c) Simon Nott

Tales From The Betting Ring – Exeter 30/04/13

The first of two evening meetings to close the season at Exeter attracted a very decent crowd. Though there was one familiar face missing, bookie Paul Metcalfe who bets under the name of Jack Bevan. His right-hand man Ian was there with a brace of young ladies but no sign of the boss. It turned out that he’s laid up for some time after breaking his ankle. Ian said that he came back from doing his cobblers at a point to point (6 out of 7 jollies went in chipped another layer), marched into the kitchen and promptly slipped on the freshly mopped floor. He immediately felt that his ankle hurt a bit, but was quite taken back to see on further examination that his foot was pointing in the opposite direction to what it really should have been. Nasty. Let’s hope it heals in double-quick time, meanwhile Ian is holding the fort and will keep us all informed. It was also pointed out that as ruggedly  handsome as Paul may be, the girls are easier on the eye, so it’s not all bad for the punters.

Talking of which, there has been a change in the ring, well several to be honest, one bookie has changed his trading name to ‘Billy No Mates’. I’m told in reaction to a heated argument over several beers with fellow layers over place terms that have been well documented in these blogs. Billy no mates or not there was no evidence of anyone at all in the ring betting to anything other that traditional place terms today which is a right result for everyone especially the betting ring. Let’s hope that’s a corner turned.

50 years of going to Exeter races may have passed Badger by but that’s more than can be said for any stray note. He has long been the undisputed king of the ‘scoops’. For the uninitiated that is stray money floating around the betting ring dropped by clumsy punters. It is said that in his prime he could hear a note hit the floor from 20 paces. He told me he’d bagged his first scoop of the day before racing. He copped a score in the street so thought his luck must be in. It dawned on him that the strategy of  the evening was going to be keeping his eyes on the floor for further booty and not on the bookies the more traditional way of leaving the races better off than you went there. He kept it up too, all night as far as I could see, looking very determined.

As far as the racing went, not one favourite won. Maybe the Gambling Gods small reward for the Exeter bookies playing the game at long last? Probably not of course.

Ascot bound tomorrow.

Simon Nott

Tales From The Betting Ring – Wincanton 12/04/13

One of the things about travelling the turf that isn’t often what it’s cracked up to be is staying away. Sometimes of course it is fantastic, generally big meetings where a group of you get together and socialise. That’s when you get to see people you only know by their racecourse persona in a totally different light. Very rarely in a worse one, once the pressures of racecourse goings-on are off sometimes amazing things happen. For example, nobody who was at that meal in Arundel a couple of Goodwoods ago will ever forget the delight and surprise to discover that a well-loved bookmaking family can transform into the singling  Von Trapps after a vino or two.

Staying over after Ascot was not one of those evenings. I had a fairly miserable night at the Sunbury Premier Inn, well not miserable exactly because it’s nice enough there. The problem was I had a  bit of a shock, I used the automated machine for checking in and  lugged my weary bones up the stairs to room 303 I had been allocated. By the way, the lift wasn’t broken but I’m on a fitness campaign to fight off middle-age, get me. My abode easily found, I slid in my key-card, the light went green and I tumbled into the room. Only to find somebody was already in it. I didn’t catch a glimpse of the incumbent but did hear the TV and see a suitcase with what looked like a builders hard hat on it. It flashed through my mind that I might well need that for protection should I be mistaken for an intruder up to no good. I made a hasty retreat back downstairs, but this time in the sanctuary of the lift. Lenny Henry never mentioned this scenario in the advert with tales of comfy beds and nice hot baths.

Luckily I wasn’t perused by an angry brickie and was apologised to  profusely by the bemused receptionist and given another room. The rest of the evening was spent having a meal for one in the bar. The only other customers were some quite loud Scottish lads all drinking beer and having fun. They did give me disapproving when I ordered a diet coke but apart from that just ignored me. Whilst sitting there a bit bored I checked through coming month’s schedule and decided I’d try and get some staying away mates for the next few nights away. I spotted the Saturday and Sunday Goodwood and Salisbury double, there is usually at least one firm who are up for staying up for that one so gave the bookie a call. Sadly he informed me that while they would normally would be up for it his main man’s father wasn’t too well so they would probably go home and back rather than stay en-route. He did add that he’d like to know where I was going to stay in because if the old boy got better they would join me.

I booked somewhere  on-line before heading to Wincanton so decided to search out the firm, established in 1897, on arrival. I marched into the ring and informed the boss where I had booked and then breezy as you like turned to the guy who’s father was poorly and wished him a speedy recovery. You know those moments when you immediately know that you have made a rick, the world stands still and everyone in earshot looks horrified? Yes, this was one of them. His father had since died. Doh. Where’s the ground to swallow you up when you need it. Maybe I shouldn’t have added that at least we’d be able to have that drink after racing at Goodwood now. Never start to dig deeper when you are already in trouble.

There was a really decent crowd at Wincanton, though sadly for the bookies most of them seemed to have backed the runaway winner of the opener from 13/8 all rates down to 11/8. Not a great start for the ring. The second race on the card was a 17-runner handicap, only two bookies appeared to be betting 1/4 the odds a place. I shall say no more, but on the bright side, the winner, Midnight Prayer landed a bit of a touch from 12/1 into 8/1.

Things went the way of the layers in the fourth race. The favourite, Addiction, had been a bit weak in the market but was a popular choice on course. There were a few rumblings around me that the drift was a bit fishy but those soon vanished when the jolly appeared to be going by far the best and looked the likely winner. Then he stumbled and unshipped jockey Nick Scholfield. ‘He jumped off’ screamed one slightly refreshed punter. There is no accounting for the way punters handle losing but it was probably a mercy that the poor jockey was out of earshot as he hobbled into the waiting ambulance.

The first real market move of the day didn’t come until the 7th race, the first division of the bumper. Despite there being solid support for the favourite Vodka ‘N Tonic, including a £700-£400, it was Spring Steel that was the big mover. The early 18/1 had collapsed into 13/2 at the off, nobody had stories of untold bundles of cash being spread around the ring for it, sadly those days have gone. Wherever the money had come from and how and where it was placed those involved could have been forgiven for thinking they’d copped when the gamble took up the lead at the furlong pole heading leader Tea For Two. It must have been a nasty feeling watching 18/1 shot  fight back and forge clear foiling the gamble by just over a length.

The winner was trained by Nick Williams, the Genius of George Nympton, owned by his wife Jane and ridden by her daughter Lizzy and apparently a surprise winner. Well that is how it looked for a while until a gangling figure, so far conspicuous by his absence, made his appearance. Beaming from ear to ear and gesticulating wildly, ‘Armaloft’ Alex. He’d evidently managed to keep his arm down for long enough for Lizzy and Tea For Two do their stuff, the result of which he’d had it spark off. Being a pal of the yard he often gets to know, and it appears he got to know today. Nobody had to say anything, the little gathering around him while he regaled all who would listen how exactly spark off he’d had it, had it written all over their faces, ‘Yes thanks Armaloft, no bloody good telling us now’. At least one of them must have started to look thirsty, so maybe fearing a costly round our victorious, non-tipping, hero quickly added that he hadn’t backed it on course.

He’s probably collected by now though, so Lizzy, if you are reading this, you can no doubt expect a very generous present next birthday or Christmas from our extremely grateful, loaded but secretive mate because that Axminster each-way he’d had on would have come to a nice few quid!

(c) Simon Nott

Grand National 1996 – Tales From The Betting Ring (Book Excerpt)

This is an excerpt from Skint Mob.

I was extremely pleased when the boss bought a pitch at Liverpool, just for the Saturday of the Grand National. I had never been so was very excited at the prospect of seeing the great race in the flesh. We were to bet on the embankment which was down by the start of the race near the usually dramatic first and second fences of the race. It was also the cheapest enclosure at the course. The pitch has previously been worked by an ageing silver ring firm and was according to them, maybe not surprisingly, a ‘goldmine’. It was ideal for the boss, he was going to enjoy the day out too and being a position that is only used the one day of the year there was no onus to make that long journey more than once a year.

As word got around that the firm had bought the pitch other rumours about the ‘goldmine’ came out, more like a gold rush in the Wild West was one opinion. Apparently although there was undoubtedly a large crowd out there they were according to some, drunken hooligans all, add to that aggressive and thieving and you get the picture that was being painted for us. Most of the stories about bookies getting rushed and their hods dipped or gangs of hard cases flash mobbing a pitch with a fabricated dispute and intimidating the firm into coughing up a sum of money in fear of their lives were third hand. Even though obviously told with a little bit of devilment  they patently preyed on the bosses mind. He did his best to give the impression that he had shrugged it all off. After all, the firm that sold it must have had a combined age of 400 years and had probably worked the pitch for 100 of them so it couldn’t be that bad.

On the eve of our first trip up to Liverpool it appeared that it could, or at least it had preyed on the bosses mind enough to give me a call. Tiverton had long-since had a reputation for harbouring its fair share of yobbos, at least for a small market town, so that is why he thought of me. Not for my street-fighting prowess, hell no, I’m 5′ 7” in my socks but always found it easy to get on well with the town’s hard nuts. That was the talent he was after. He wanted to know if I knew a ‘Reliable hard bastard that wouldn’t steal from us and knew a bit about racing’ anyone who met the criteria was to be asked if they’d like to come to the Grand National 1996 and work on the joint for a day.

I did know a few such fellows, most of the Tiverton hard cases around my age would have a punt in between their pints on a Saturday, that was enough to know about horseracing the boss told me. The one I asked was the hardest case in town. He was one of the volatile ones who was friendly enough to me on most occasions but you wouldn’t take liberties with him because you were still just as likely to get a smack around the chops if you said something out of turn. I saw this as a great opportunity to get in the tough guy’s good books a little bit more and thus protect my safety in Tiverton’s rougher drinking establishments in the future. My theory did seem to be barking up the right tree when the guy I had in mind was extremely excited to be asked. He was pretty chuffed when he got the full story that he was there as protection as well as giving change and was ready at the allotted time very early on the Saturday morning. He was dressed to the nines, suit and tie with a very smart raincoat. He sat in the front with the boss and elected to keep his coat on despite the boss suggesting as it was a long journey and he might be more comfortable with it off.

On the journey up to Liverpool the allotted hard-man told a fair few stories about how often he had been to the races and of his betting successes. Obvious to the boss and me that they were being embroidered somewhat, but not to worry it was his brick shit-house presence and hopefully amiable attitude that was needed. We stopped for a fry-up on the way up. The coat didn’t come off but the breakfast gratefully accepted and eagerly scoffed. My first sight of the approach to Aintree was a bit of a shock to all of us. The road was full of shops all metal shuttered and closed and had a grass verge running down the centre of it, strewn with rubbish. This quite desolate scene was a little alarming and I for one was glad to have brought our Tiverton protection. I think being miles outside of our comfort zone and heads filled with horror stories had affected us more than it should have, after all this was the world’s most famous horserace not some gypsy flapping track.

We had been advised that we would be better off paying to park in a nearby working mens’ club and walking the short distance to our enclosure to aid a quick getaway after racing. We followed instructions, paid the fiver and parked the car. The boss and I started unpacking the kit while our passenger shifted around looking uncomfortable, hardly surprising after being sat in the car for the best part of five hours with a rain coat on. He grimaced a bit and reached into the inside of his pocket, rummaged around a bit then to my horror and the bosses utter astonishment pulled out a large rubber cosh saying “This bastard has been sticking in my ribs for f***ing miles.” It was a horrendous freeze-frame type moment where I was unsure what was going to happen next. He broke the silence by re-sheathing his weapon with an “Oh that’s better” before returning to the passenger seat to get his bag, we dared not ask what was in there…………

(C) Simon Nott

‘Skint Mob’ it is about bookies, punters and racecourse regulars and has been quite well-received. Here’s a review from the Racing Post on Sunday 23rd March.

Review from the Racing Post 23/03/14

It’s available here on Amazon – Kindle and Paperback http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0992755409/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_s7Ymtb0Y2B

Tales From The Betting Ring – Exeter 02/04/13

There was an early scare when a 10am inspection was called after a chilly night up at Haldon. A scare is all it was though as racing eventually went ahead under glorious sunshine.  It soon became evident that there were plenty of people extremely happy about that. Now there are always going to be plenty of people happy that racing at Exeter goes ahead because it is traditionally very well supported, even in horizontal rain. Though as already explained, inclement weather was not an issue today. Today was Finlake Holiday Park ‘Family Fun Day’ and the families came out in their droves. There appeared to be kids everywhere, all over the place, swinging on bars in the stands, careering around the enclosures and basically having a whale of a time.  It was not only young racegoers of the future learning to love the game enjoying themselves. We could have easily witnessed the champion jockey 2023 learning their trade in either of the two pony races that preceded the mammoth 8-race card. It was great to see a film crew that looked to be from some sort of children’s’ TV show covering the races as well as Grand National winning jockey Daryl Jacob giving words of support to the riders.

Of course, all the youthful racing prodigy had parents and guardians with them. A fair few of them appeared to be novice racegoers but still looked keen to get involved in-between trying to keep tabs on their whirling-Dervish charges. The regular faces were all there too, Badger, Armaloft and the pro-punter with the big binoculars, well outnumbered though, because for all intents and purposes the meeting had a bank holiday feel to it. The ideal opportunity for a racing shop window.

The bookmakers had turned out in force too, some so keen it appeared that they were so early they almost beat the gate-men. The atmosphere was buoyant, probably a combination of a decent-sized crowd in front of them and the much-welcomed appearance of the sun at long last.  If things were rosy in the ring before racing the bookmakers were positively beaming after 16/1 Fuzzy Logic, the outsider of five, won the opener.  Despite much of the business being small there were still some good-sized bets to keep the layers on their toes, all of which stayed in the hods.

With the excellent atmosphere, loads of new faces (and potentially long-term clients) in attendance and cash in the satchel the bookmakers were in full public relations mode. The ideal opportunity to get people to feel comfortable betting in the ring. After all for a lot of us the betting ring  is second nature, and for some a second home, but it can be daunting for someone new to racing. After all, it would be so much easier and possibly more comfortable for the uninitiated  to bet with the Tote or in the betting shop. Yes the bookies were on a charm offensive.

At least you would think that’s how it would work wouldn’t you.

The third race on the card was a 17-runner handicap. Traditional odds would be 1/4 a place which a few layers bet to, most went 1/5 and one 1/6 the odds.  OK, we all know that in this particular race the place terms would favour the punters, at least on paper but would it have really hurt to play the game on a day like today? They probably didn’t deserve the 16/1 winner to be honest.

That was bad enough but a small section of the Exeter betting ring really excelled themselves in the 4.10. It was a nine-runner Hunters’ Chase with an odds-on favourite. OK once again not ideal for betting each-way if you are a bookie. The traditional odds should have been 1/5 which some bet to, others bet 1/6 but three that I saw bet to 1/7 the odds a place. Now if that wasn’t bad enough, you just sort of know that the novice punters queuing up to have their couple of quid each-way aren’t looking at the bottom line of the bookmaker’s board to see what terms they are getting. No they are clueless and just betting to the odds they can see in front of them. The final insult to injury is that those books were generally the same odds as their neighbours. The 4/9 favourite finished third behind a 20/1 winner and 66/1 runner-up with the well-backed odds-on jolly in the frame third meaning they only had two places to pay out on anyway.

The rest of the card passed with more ring-friendly results including the 28/1 winner of the last.

When I worked in the ring with bookmakers we had to continuously try and battle against the stereotypical view held by a lot of punters. That was that we were all graspers that would have them over at the drop of a hat. We did our level best over decades to try and convince them that we were in fact sporting gentlemen of the turf. With the majority of layers that is still the case. However, seeing the way some firms do business you do start to wonder.

Sadly, when betting rings are in serious decline, some ‘bookmakers’ are their own worst enemy.

Simon Nott