Steady Heads Make the Most of Crazy Days

 

The uncertainty currently clouding the financial markets has, it appears, metastasised into racing. Recent results have produced more than the usual number of upsets. Last Monday, a 200/1 rag, Dandy Flame, won at Wolverhampton with the ease of an odds-on favourite; the following day, Drummullagh Rocky, an unconsidered Irish-trained gelding, defied odds of 100/1 to win on his hurdling debut; five days later it was the turn of Heaven Scent, a 50/1 winner of a juvenile hurdle at Market Rasen.

Hopes that the new month would mark a change were thwarted as no fewer than three 33/1 winners were recorded on 1 August. What’s happening? Closer examination will reveal that things are not that bleak. Plenty of favourites are triumphing – five out of seven at Goodwood on 29 July, for example. It is, however, the middle ground that interests most punters as backing favourites or rank outsiders is not a sensible long-term proposition.

There are various solutions to this current impasse, as the tipsters in the Besttipping challenge have demonstrated. James Boyle adopted a bold approach offering more tips than usual. His reward, was a ten-winner haul and first place in the July listings. The highlight was the success of 12/1 advice Get Knotted (York, 23 July) and the other nine winners were returned with prices ranging from 4/1 up to 9s.

A different strategy came from Those2oppose, who weathered the actual and metaphorical summer storms to claim second place in the July honours board. Much of the month’s yield was gained from each-way doubles. This ploy had worked well in June when 3/1 and 5/2 winners yielded a 14.4point haul and the magic was repeated on 28 July when 3/1 advice Fabric and 6/5 advice Torch both won at Nottingham, producing a pleasing 8.8point profit. Overall during July, 25 horses were selected and of these, five won, including 15/2 advice Bobby Vee (Leicester, 27 July) while a further 19 either finished second or third. With 76% of selections finishing in the money, each-way doubles provide an excellent route towards profit.

Mark Your Card, who finished third this month, have never had any problems in locating the profitable route, and this month, the road was littered with juicy winners such as 28/1 Curragh winner Seventh Heaven (16 July), 20/1 advice Elidor (Goodwood, 26 July) and 16/1 Star Of Rory (Haydock, 16 July). The haul also included three 14/1 winners, two at 12s and another two at 11/1.

July was a sixth month of profit from seven in 2016 for Personal Info’s Saturday-Only service with five out of eleven selections prevailing, and an each-way second also adding to the coffers. The winners included 3/1 advice Mightaswellsmile (Nottingham, 2 July). In the two years since joining Besttipping, this service has posted seventeen profitable months out of a possible 24 (71% strike-rate).

Isiris and Personal Info also posted July profits while First Favourite missed out by a whisker. It all means that Mark Your Card have extended their lead in the 2016 table to 17 points over Middleton, while Those2oppose’s fine form has guided them to third ahead of Isiris, Personal Info Saturday-Only and First Favourite.

With Goodwood and Galway consigned to history it’s the turn of York to take centre stage. While the four-day frolic on the Knavesmire will attract most attention this month, there’s plenty of action around the country, both on the level and over jumps.