Blog
Sir Henry, Frankel and Royal Ascot plans...
It’s been a long time since I’ve been really moved by the loss of a public figure. However, I’m not ashamed to admit that news of the passing of Sir Henry Cecil on Tuesday brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
I don’t have any personal stories to tell of the man nor can I claim to have met him beyond catching glimpses of him many times at racecourses around the country. What I can say is that his achievements as one of the greatest trainers to ever grace our sport is one thing.
It’…
Nick's Punting Diary
Nick's Punting Diary To say my life is hectic is an understatement on a par with saying the Charge of the Light Brigade was a “slight military misjudgement”. However, in a perverse way it has helped my betting profitability no end. I will reveal all another time, but, for now, this week is no different - with my boss away in the USA I have to do his work as well as mine (although I could make a strong case that this is no different from any normal week). Planning ahead I had decided that this …
Nick's Punting Diary
Got a couple of things for you today and first up is this week's instalment of Nick's Punting Diary:
Nick's Punting Diary - Derby Weekend
The week’s punting starts on Tuesday in Japan and the J-League football. J-league football usually means one thing – goals.
The 2 games feature sides whose stats and form tell me we are in for a treat. I place my usual doubles of over 2.5 goals, both teams to score and, feeling optimistic, two singles and a tasty double on over 3.5 goals.
The games finish 0-0 an…
Nick's Punting Diary - Derby Weekend
The week’s punting starts on Tuesday in Japan and the J-League football. J-league football usually means one thing – goals.
The 2 games feature sides whose stats and form tell me we are in for a treat. I place my usual doubles of over 2.5 goals, both teams to score and, feeling optimistic, two singles and a tasty double on over 3.5 goals.
The games finish 0-0 an…
Whitsun Bank Holiday
Today, Nick Hardman takes a look back over his Bank Holiday Weekend of punting:
Before I begin in earnest, I want to wind the clock back a couple of years. At that time I would wake up on a Saturday morning with a sense of bravado and a belief that today would be the day I made some serious money.
This was almost certainly down to two things - no work and loads of sport. Come Saturday evening my feelings were usually very different and, inevitably, Sunday became “chasing” day.
Historically Saturd…
Before I begin in earnest, I want to wind the clock back a couple of years. At that time I would wake up on a Saturday morning with a sense of bravado and a belief that today would be the day I made some serious money.
This was almost certainly down to two things - no work and loads of sport. Come Saturday evening my feelings were usually very different and, inevitably, Sunday became “chasing” day.
Historically Saturd…
Who's best at Aintree?
As promised last week, I've got another interesting (and hopefully profitable) stat for the Aintree Festival which commences on Thursday of this week.
Peter Bowen is something of an Aintree specialist and I would have been keen to flag him up as one to keep on the right side of last week, were it not for the fact that he was on one of the coldest streak I've ever seen him go through.
Prior to Pension Plan putting his nose in front last Thursday, Mr Bowen had not had a single winner in 2013 from 5…
Peter Bowen is something of an Aintree specialist and I would have been keen to flag him up as one to keep on the right side of last week, were it not for the fact that he was on one of the coldest streak I've ever seen him go through.
Prior to Pension Plan putting his nose in front last Thursday, Mr Bowen had not had a single winner in 2013 from 5…
Geraghty at Aintree...
I hope everybody is enjoying the first day of the Easter Break!
I’ve spent this morning enjoying some time off from the daily stress of racing - although this afternoon I’ll have to plough into some prep work for the 6 meetings tomorrow and the 7 on Monday!
God knows how the jockeys and stable staff handle the relentless racing calendar we have these days – they scarcely get a day off all year long and when they do, the following day ends up twice as busy! I’m guessing that bad weather cancellati…
I’ve spent this morning enjoying some time off from the daily stress of racing - although this afternoon I’ll have to plough into some prep work for the 6 meetings tomorrow and the 7 on Monday!
God knows how the jockeys and stable staff handle the relentless racing calendar we have these days – they scarcely get a day off all year long and when they do, the following day ends up twice as busy! I’m guessing that bad weather cancellati…
A disappointing Cheltenham...
Looking back over this years festival from a punting sense, the best thing I can say about it is that it's over!
While not a blood bath ( I did in fact turn a small profit, thanks largely to backing Rajdhani Express at 25/1 on Day 1) it certainly wasn't the financial triumph it has been over the last 10 years or so.
A lot of my selections performed well without actually winning - and when you are an aggressive win staker like myself, that can be a particular form of torture!
When I list the my bets…
While not a blood bath ( I did in fact turn a small profit, thanks largely to backing Rajdhani Express at 25/1 on Day 1) it certainly wasn't the financial triumph it has been over the last 10 years or so.
A lot of my selections performed well without actually winning - and when you are an aggressive win staker like myself, that can be a particular form of torture!
When I list the my bets…
Cheltenham Festival Tipping Competition
Where does the time go?
Cheltenham starts tomorrow and I can't believe another full year has gone by - I must be getting very, very old!
Just a short post today, dear friends , with the info on how to enter the MYBP Cheltenham Tipping Competition.
As last year, I'm running it in conjunction with the Telegraph Fantasy Cheltenham Competition - I think it's a serious test of horse racing knowledge and tipping ability, it's free to enter and it offers some fantastic prizes. With me adding some addition…
Cheltenham starts tomorrow and I can't believe another full year has gone by - I must be getting very, very old!
Just a short post today, dear friends , with the info on how to enter the MYBP Cheltenham Tipping Competition.
As last year, I'm running it in conjunction with the Telegraph Fantasy Cheltenham Competition - I think it's a serious test of horse racing knowledge and tipping ability, it's free to enter and it offers some fantastic prizes. With me adding some addition…
Jonjo at the Festival....
Make Your Betting Pay has seen rather a guest posting frenzy over the last couple of weeks ( as befits the lead up to the greatest race meeting in the world!) and today we have an exclusive article from one of my favourite racing thinkers, Ben Aitken of Narrowing the Field. Over to you Ben:
NTF Festival Files: Jonjo O’Neill – How to profit from Jonjo’s runners at the Cheltenham Festival…
It’s almost here! Although we National Hunt fans have been talking about it since…well…the last one finished …
NTF Festival Files: Jonjo O’Neill – How to profit from Jonjo’s runners at the Cheltenham Festival…
It’s almost here! Although we National Hunt fans have been talking about it since…well…the last one finished …
Is it really a banker?
Note from the editor: Connor Gallagher returns today with a look at some key numbers to keep in mind when betting at the Cheltenham Festival:
Of course, no losing bet comes without an element of frustration, especial…
What history tells us about the Cheltenham Festival
Year after year misinformed punters recklessly steam into short-priced jollies - horses that have been talked-up as so-called “good things” in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival - only to be met with disappointment on the day.Of course, no losing bet comes without an element of frustration, especial…