Glimmer of hope for rivals as Daily Bargain suffer rare reverse

2021-06-30

Daily Bargain’s progress towards a record-equalling fifth Besttipping title was checked last month as a 13-point loss saw Steve Jones’ service come back to the field slightly. At the end of May, Daily Bargain enjoyed a cushion of almost 86 points, but now that’s down to just less than 72 points. But that still leaves Daily Bargain in a commanding position, especially as nearest rivals, Mark Your Card, are posting far less selections than of old.

Although Daily Bargain was out of sorts, June proved to be an excellent month for stablemate Probets, who topped the month’s listing with a 4.8-point gain.

Personal Info’s Saturday-Only service finished second in June having earned a2.6-point yield with Mark Your Card (2.2 points) and Personal Info (2.1) taking third and fourth positions.

So often Probets have narrowly missed out, with a high proportion of runners finishing second or third, but in June it was the other way around: 22 of the 30 selections finished in the first three, with ten winning. Seven of the ten successes came during a red-hot 13-day period mid-month. However, the month’s best return came via Irish Derby winner, Hurricane Lane, an 11/2 advice on the eve of the race (run at the Curragh on 26 June).

Despoina (100/30, Thirsk, 3 June), Tricorn (7/2, Ayr, 8 June), Siam Fox (5/2, Doncaster, 13 June) and Tregony (5/2, Nottingham, 14 June) also helped the cause, while Royal Ascot was marked with a pair of winning selections, Mohaafeth (11/8, 17 June) and Alenquer (2/1, 18 June).

Second placed Personal Info Saturday-Only were in outstanding form, securing a 67% return on investment. Each-way advice Nazuna (15/2 sp) came home in second place at Epsom on Derby Day (5 June), while Atalis Bay (7/4, Sandown, 12 June) and Point Lonsdale (11/8, Royal Ascot, 19 June) both won their races. And in both cases further profit was earned via placed each-way selections, Steel Bull (17/2) and Reach For The Moon (11/1 sp).

A quiet month for Mark Your Card ended with a useful profit of 2.2 points. James Watt, a 17/2 advice, triumphed at Ripon on 2 June, while good each-way returns were secured from The Blame Game at Cartmel (16/1), Don’t Joke (17/2, Nottingham) and Daafr (17/2, Ayr, all on 2 June).

A fifth winning month out of six was Personal Info’s reward for a solid month’s work that included three Royal Ascot winners: Palace Pier (4/9, 15 June), Mohaafeth (13/8, 17 June) and Point Lonsdale (11/8, 19 June). And June ended on a high with Kayfast Warrior (3/1 sp) winning at Thirsk on the last day of the month.

So, what happened with Daily Bargain? Just two winners – a brace of 13/2 shots, Data Protection (Newmarket, 25 June) and Zeeband (Newcastle, 26 June) – but six runners-up (8/1, 11/1, 16/1, 7/1, 13/2 and 8/1) suggests that the fates were conspiring against the reigning champion. Historically, though, Daily Bargain have a tendency to bounce back from adversity in speedy fashion. Don’t forget, the year opened with a 13-point loss which was followed by monthly yields of 24.5 pts, 24.1 pts, 21 pts and 66 pts. So, don’t be surprised if something similar happens this time around.