Good Friday - Bad Idea

Southwell meeting heralds the end of what I term Summer meetings on the All Weather and a pleasing summer it has been. Unfortunately our sole selection on the card in which we involved ourselves in at 20-1 could only muster a late run to finish 2nd at SP 16-1.

We now head towards the All Weather proper and for the first time we are introducing Dundalk in to the mix which truly excites me and make me a busy boy in the months ahead!

I was rather startled to read reports regarding a plan to introduce racing on Good Friday. I would be interested in your view on this if you would be good enough to complete the poll (top left) The report read as follows.

No decision has yet been made by the British Horseracing Authority over the possibility of meetings being held on Good Friday.

A newspaper report suggested that proposals will be considered for two major meetings on the Bank Holiday afternoon, potentially with a £1million card proposed by Lingfield's owners Arena Racing Company (ARC) as the finale to the all-weather season, and another fixture at Musselburgh in Scotland.

Good Friday is one of the very few racing-free days in the calendar and jockeys traditionally stage their annual awards, The Lesters, the night before, while the racing training centres in Lambourn and Middleham host charity open days.

However, commercial pressures from betting opportunities and the fact that the majority of people have the day off and would be able to attend fixtures, are opposing factors under consideration.

BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey said: "No decision regarding racing on Good Friday has yet been taken by the BHA board, who meet next week, but then also at end of September.
"It is at this stage that it will be likely to provide final approval on the fixture list as a whole.

"Any decision to open up Good Friday for racing would involve consultation across the industry and an assessment of a wide range of factors, weighing up the benefits to the industry against any potential consequences."

Rupert Arnold, chief executive of the National Trainers Association, said: "The NTF position remains the same in that we continue to support the open days at Middleham and Lambourn and it's important to the success of them that there remains no racing on Good Friday.

"We have been involved in the discussions, particularly with ARC, and we are aware of their proposals."

Southwell All Weather Speed Figures - Friday 30th August 2013

30th August 2013 Southwell
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 4:20 32RedBingo.com Apprentice Handicap Cl6 1m
99.9%		Moe´s Place
99.2%	*	Marina Ballerina	98.1%	(2)		❶
98.0%		Blackamoor Harry	96.9%	(1)
97.1%		Bladewood Girl	97.3%	(1)		❶
96.5%		Mcconnell	99.8%	(23)		❸
95.6%		Multisure	95.6%	(1)		❶
		Knight Charm				❶
		Handsome Stranger
		Lexi´s Dancer

Lingfield Parks Golden Highway: Farcical or Exploitable?

Once again we witnessed the inside rail reigning supreme at Lingfield Parks turf course on Thursday afternoon. GO GLAMOROUS, one of two subscribers selections on the card started the rout. Advised at 5-2 to 2 points, there was no surprise given its stall position that it was backed down to 10-11.

With high numbers nearest the rail, from stall 2 we witnessed a masterful ride from Willie Twiston-Davies on Tom Sawyer to grab the rail to score at 8-1 in the second of the four turf races. Rambo Will drawn nearest the rail in 12 took the third to beat subscribers selection 8-1 Dark Lane in to 3rd place. A painful experience to watch as Declan Bates clearly made every effort to get our selection on to the 'Golden Highway'.

Just as you are questioning whether this is farcical or simply an angle to exploit, Rufoof unable to get the rail, which was already occupied by market rival Disco Inferno, wins the fourth from draw 3!

Last night's Kempton Park card, much like today's Southwell card was practically blank in terms of previous form with the exception of the last race and I received several emails querying whether the average for Ocean Legend, which was equal to the top rated on LTO form was in fact correct over 21 races.

I started filling my boots at 18.5 and stopped at 30's on 'back' bets before the off, while placing 'in running lay' bets at half the odds obtained to cover each stake. Cautious, I know, and in hindsight I wish I simply played the back bets :)        

Kempton Park All Weather Speed Figures - Thursday 29th August 2013

29th August 2013 Kempton Park
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 6:20 Ladies Day With Toby Anstis 07.09.13 Median Auction Maiden Stakes Cl6 1m
		Goleador
		Grey Odyssey				❶
		Interconnection				❷
		Rudi Five One
		Shaheen Shah
		Strassman
		Template
		Toast Of New York
		Top Tug
		Ultimate Act
		Lady Tyne
		Luna Sunrise
		Maid Of Tuscany
		Ventura Ice				❶

Lingfield Park All Weather Speed Figures - Thursday 29th August 2013

29th August 2013 Lingfield Park
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 4:40 Stonegate Homes Affordable Housing Solutions Median Auction Maiden Fillies´ Stakes Cl6 5f
99.5%	*	Go Glamorous
		Dazza
		Forest Glen
		Gower Princess
		Hipz
		Invoke
		Kuala Queen
		Little Briar Rose
		Reimpose
		Shirley Vanessa
		Spider Lily

What Southwell deprived us, Kempton returned in spades.

With opportunities few and far between recently there is nothing more frustrating than a 2 point, sole selection on the Southwell card being declared a non-runner. It certainly wiped the smug look of my face having taken 4-1 and watched as the selection Koo and the Gang shortened to 3-1 prior to being withdrawn.

The reverse of this scenario played out 10 minutes earlier as the first of our two Kempton Park selections took to the stalls. Having taken 8-1 JAZRI (with a BOG of course) I was somewhat unsure what to make of the drift out to as high as 12-1.

The early stages didn't look particularly favourable as JAZRI was among the last three and remained there until turning for home. I am sure that many a subscriber was contemplating stringing me up as JAZRI reached a high of 300-1 on the exchanges. As they straightened up for home our selection gobbled up the ground and showed no signs of stopping at the line to score at 11-1.

I must admit to watching the re-run several times since :)

Kempton Parl All Weather Speed Figures - Wednesday 28th August 2013

28th August 2013 Kempton Park
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 6:10 Ladies Day With Toby Anstis 07.09.13 Handicap Cl6 6f
100.1%	*	Compton Albion	96.9%	(2)		❶
99.9%		Imperial Spirit	98.4%	(1)
99.5%		Marmalady
99.3%		Borough Boy				❶
99.2%		Brynford	99.2%	(1)		❶
98.6%		Marvelino	99.1%	(2)		❸
98.1%		Admirals Walk	98.4%	(1)		❶
98.0%		Whitford	96.6%	(1)		❶
97.6%		Sally Bruce	97.0%	(5)		❶
96.9%		Mighty Mata	96.9%	(1)		❶
96.7%		Speronella
94.6%		Man In The Arena				❶

Southwell All Weather Speed Figures - Wednesday 28th August 2013

28th August 2013 Southwell
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 4:50 Ladbrokes Handicap Cl6 1m4f
99.2%	*	Soweto Star				❸
99.0%		Light The City	98.3%	(6)		❶
98.9%		Sygnature				❷
97.1%		Dubara Reef	96.4%	(1)		❷
96.6%		Torero	96.9%	(1)		❶
95.2%		Fleeting Fashion
		Royal Alcor
		Lacey
		Mr Dream Maker
		Eanans Bay				❶
		Northgate Lodge				❺

Southwell: Going off the rails

It is unusual to see horses three abreast challenging for the prize in the final throws on Southwells fibresand, Being on two horses of the three challenging almost in a straight line only to end up with second and third sums up our last three meetings. With a scarcity of opportunities of late added to the mix, life has been a little subdued and done little to add to what has been a good August for us.

To add insult to injury The Actuary top rated Cosimo de Medici who opened at 12-1, also our highest rated on the Southwell card made light work of the Class 4: 6:45 returning at 11-4. In the previous race Akeed Dubawi showed its 'Sires' superiority as anticipated in my post Surface, Sires, Statistics and Southwell. Unfortunately the price was skinnier than expected opening at 6-4.

With another meeting today at Southwell I can report that times returned yesterday suggest the course will be running very close to standard, but it was noticeable that the closers in larger fields were all coming from middle to stand side. It is well documented that the rail much rides deeper but it would appear from yesterdays races that we have a much wider strip of testing fibresand than usual off the rail.

Southwell All Weather Speed Figures - Tuesday 27th August 2013

27th August 2013 Southwell
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 4:40 Ladbrokes Handicap Cl6 5f
98.8%		Kwanto				❷
98.6%	*	Code Six	98.0%	(1)
98.3%		Island Express	97.9%	(3)		❶
98.1%		Angel Grigio	100.5%	(1)		❷
96.1%		Lord Buffhead	97.4%	(4)
95.8%		Red Star Lady	96.0%	(1)		❶
92.4%		Bird Dog	97.6%	(6)		❶
91.1%		Depden				❶
		Sarah Berry
		Exkaliber				❶
		Beach Rhythm				❶
		Southern Sapphire				❶
		Heart Beat Song

The most dangerous horse races in the world!

Each summer, more than 50,000 people pour into a cobblestone square in Tuscany for a gut-wrenching 90-seconds. That's all it takes for the flamboyantly dressed jockeys of Italy's legendary horse race -- Palio di Siena -- to race bareback around the medieval square. It's been called the "most dangerous horse race in the world" -- about as far away as you can get from the genteel green lawns of Britain's Royal Ascot or the multi-million prize money bestowed on America's Kentucky Derby.

Take a look at five weird and wonderful horse festivals from across the world.

Palio di Siena, Italy

On two days each year, the pretty town of Siena in northern Tuscany is transformed into an elaborate medieval race track, with 10 riders careering around the iconic city square three times.

Dating back to the 17th century, each rider represents their local neighbourhood, competing not just for the coveted victory banner -- but good luck for the coming year.

Luminarias Festival, Spain

Fire and horses may seem like an unlikely combination, but that's exactly the dramatic scene which takes place in a small town in central Spain each year.Horse are ridden over blazing tree branches as part of the Luminaries Festival in San Bartolome de Pinares, in an effort to purify and protect the animals. The controversial tradition, which has been criticized by animal welfare groups, dates back 500 years and is held on the eve of Saint Anthony's Day.

White Turf, Switzerland

From fiery Spain to snowy Switzerland -- there's not a bonfire in sight at the glitzy White Turf racing carnival, held on the frozen Lake St Moritz. The remarkable competition includes skijoring, where horses thunder around the icy track while their riders hold on for dear life to a harness at the back, trailing behind on skis. In such extreme weather -- around -20C -- fur coats are the order of the day for the champagne-sipping spectators who are perhaps better known for their luxury lifestyles than racing tips.

Pasola Festival, Indonesia

The glitz and glam of snow-capped St Moritz couldn't be further from the spear-wielding horsemen of Indonesia's annual Pasola Festival. The fierce festival -- held on the island of Sumba -- sees two teams go head-to-head on elaborately decorated horses, throwing blunt spears at each other as part of an ancient ritual battle. It is believed that every drop of blood spilled will bring a good harvest!

Soma-Nomaoi Festival, Japan

If you like your ancient festivals a little less violent, there's the 1,000-year-old Soma-Nomaoi wild horse chase in central Japan. The three-day festival sees samurai horsemen compete in different challenges -- from racing over a one kilometer track to battling over sacred flags. Dressed in extravagant armor, helmets, and carrying swords, the fantastical warriors appear to have stepped straight out from the 10th Century.

Surface, Sires, Statistics and Southwell

With three meetings planned at Southwell this week I thought I would take the time to mark your card regarding 'The Actuary Sire Rating' that accompany the speed figures.

I fully concur with the theoretical thinking that the progeny inherit the traits of their Sire and Dam, albeit to varying degrees. History suggests that this theory is even more prevalent at Southwell due to the unique nature of the surface.

There is no doubt that several trainers use the courses testing surface to build the stamina of their horses rather than to compete, so when a horse appears with a high sire rating at Southwell it is well worth taking note and if a good fit is found we are left assuming there is serious intent by the trainer.

I am not suggesting that having a high Sire rating gives a horse a divine right to win a race and equally, would view low ratings as inconsequential. The premise behind offering the rating was primarily to recognise a horses potential when unrated by 'The Actuary Speed Figures' having not previously raced on the surface.

I am sure there could be a great debate and compelling arguments on compiling 'Sire' stats. For me, the parameters are 'Surface' + 'Distance' + 'Class'

A race of note tomorrow is Southwell's 6:15

6:15 Ladbrokes Maiden Stakes Cl5 1m
		Akeed Dubawi ❹ Reminisce  China Creek  Georgian Firebird  Heroes Welcome

A field of 3yo Maidens, un raced on the surface with only the one horse with a sire rating. Akeed Dubawi , progeny of Dubawi who has a record of 46% from 26 races in Class 5 run over 1 mile at Southwell.

We have no market at present but I am hopeful given the ratings of the 'Official Handicapper' that we may get a reasonable price. 

Where is my entertainment on Bank Holiday Monday?

Following on from a week with only one and a half All Weather meetings,

Wolverhampton 19th August

Lingfield Park (Tutf & AW) 21st August

we head in to a week with five and a half meetings.

Southwell 27th August

Kempton Park & Southwell 28th August

Kempton Park & Lingfield Park (Turf & AW) 29th August

Southwell 30th August

No complaints here on the number of fixtures next week other than on Bank Holiday Monday there are a total of nine meetings including Downpatrick. How many All Weather meetings? None!

I have always been sympathetic to the voices of derision during the winter months when we see days of wall to wall All Weather racing and not a jumps card in sight. Surely the BHA, with a little bit of forethought can entertain us all.

I also want some entertainment on a Bank Holiday Monday!

The Frankie Dettori Story goes on unraveling!

As a rule I don’t tell to follow particular jockeys to any great degree and Frankie Dettori had dropped right off my radar since all the euphoria that surrounded his return.  

Watching racing from your York yesterday one pundit sang Dettori’s praises as one of the best front running tacticians as he bowled along in front on Archbishop in the 15:05 only to be swallowed up to finish 6^th of the 7^th runners.

Then I was surprised to see In the Nunthorpe Dettori was put up by Mike De Kock on the 3-1 favourite Shea Shea leaving me to question whether his fortunes had changed from the earlier days of his return.

Apparently not! With a usual strike rate of around 20% since 1995 – 2011, Dettori is now languishing well down the order with 8%.

Love him or hate him, I personally feel for the guy, in the true British fashion of supporting the under-dog, I relish the idea of him beating Godolphin runners with every ride.

The strange thing is I wished him stats of 8% when he was riding for Godolphin!         

Masters of manipulation: Michael Easterby and Ralph Beckett

With top rated Storm Lightning and Burren View Lady winning at 8-1 and 9-2 respectively on Wednesdays Wolverhampton card, it's a pity that the percentage call went to UNEX MICHELANGELO whom I was keen to back after the fascicle victory earlier in the week.

So keen was I to get the best price, I sat from 5:30 the evening before refreshing the odds in my browser which showed SP until 6:15. I even took the unprecedented step of going on 'Chat' at 6:00 to ask why prices for a handicap that were usually published at 5:30 had failed to materialised. At 6:15 I was rewarded at 2-1.

My one fear was whether the step back in trip was to be UNEX MICHELANGELO's undoing and sure enough the selection had difficulty in holding its position and was being scrubbed along until coming around the home turn where it made stealthy headway and started to grind down those ahead.

Unfortunately Quintet was doing the same. As the two well handicapped horses pulled away from the remainder of the field I couldn't help but feel there was some irony in Quintet prevailing.

Michael Easterby had manipulated UNEX MICHELANGELO's official rating down from 99 to 59 running it over a variety of trips in company it didn't belong in. Ralph Beckett had manipulated Quintet's official rating by equally measure. 3 maiden runs over 7f in Class 4 and Class 5, beaten 11.5 lengths, 4.25 lengths and 21 lengths. Given an official rating of 63, it sprouts wings first time up in a Handicap.

It will be interesting to see what the Handicapper now makes of the pair of them!

Wolverhampton All Weather Speed Figures - Thursday 22nd August 2013

22nd August 2013 Wolverhampton
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 5:50 Holiday Inn Wolverhampton Amateur Riders´ Handicap Cl5 1m4f50y
101.8%		Gucci D´Oro
100.4%		Dazzling Valentine	100.3%	(5)		❶
100.0%	*	Waahej	99.9%	(4)		❷
99.8%		Park Lane
99.6%		Shahrazad				❶
99.2%		Rocky Rebel	99.7%	(1)		❶
98.3%		Teide Peak	100.0%	(1)		❶
96.4%		Azrag	99.5%	(2)
95.8%		Sure Fire	97.2%	(1)		❶

Berry gets buried at Lingfield Park

Just the one selection advised at 10-1 for subscribers at Lingfield Park on the Wednesday afternoon card and unfortunately one disappointment.

With plenty of space to the right on leaving the stalls Robert Tart failed to gain enough momentum to maintain a prominent position and managed to find himself shuffled to among those in the rear of the field going in to the bend.

As gaps opened Tart found himself scrubbing the ears of our selection in snatches to make ground in to available gaps while being jostled by Black Geronimo. Only when finding the rail turning into the final bend did Tart look like feeling comfortable with his position.

Swinging for home BASIL BERRY appeared to be travelling particularly well and made ground easily to come in to contention only for its impetus to come to an abrupt halt when Tyrsal came off the rail leaving Robert Tart's no choice but to snatch up.

I don't feel that from start to finish BASIL BERRY got to run its race. Whether our selection would have been good enough to win is questionable but BASIL BERRY is far better than the bare result.

Lingfield Park All Weather Speed Figures - Wednesday 21st August 2013

21st August 2013 Lingfield Park
The Actuary All  Weather speed ratings are based purely on a time perspective with  no weight adjustment and are compiled by The Actuary. To the left: Level of performance  on last run. To the right: Previous performances over course and distance, in brackets,  the number of course and distance runs considered. * denotes top rated horse prior to  any going adjustment. Figures are available to monthly subscribers the evening before  each UK All Weather meeting. ❶ Is The Actuary's 1-9 (9 being high) assessment of the  merits of the 'Sire' over today's conditions. 2:20 Breathe Spa At Lingfield Marriott Handicap Cl6 2m
101.0%		Katie Gale
100.6%	*	Noor Al Haya
98.7%		Fitzwilly
97.7%		Orla´s Rainbow
95.0%		Paige Flyer
		Luckster
		Roy Rocket

If you want to be paid out at 6-1 for a 1-4 on shot you must read this!

Resulting from my Betfred rant (the new custodians of the Tote) a couple of days ago, a good friend and subscriber to The Actuary AllWeather Horse Racing Tips emailed joking that the BOG concession had possibly been removed from a swathe of punters over the weekend to boost the Betfred coffers after paying out a dividend of £7.10 on Slip Of The Tongue SP 1-4

As incredible as that seems this was only the tip of the iceberg. I was then sent an article of calamitous proportions entitled 'Crazy Tote Returns' which read as follows.

I have been following the tote returns since Betfred took over and the last 10 days or so there have been some very strange returns to say the least.

Nothing has been mentioned in the press that I have read but I feel that some explanation should be made as something is not right especially over the last 10 days or so  please take a look at some that I have picked out and see what you think.

21st July Race 1 Redcar (9) Runners New Street 4/9 Paid £3.5022nd

21st July Race 1 Redcar (9) Runners New Street 4/9 Paid £3.50

22nd July Race 5 Ayr (4 ) Runners Someone's Darling 7/4 Paid £6.0022nd July Race 4 Beverley (4) Runners Declamation 11/10 Paid £5.0023rd July  Race 3 Ffos Lass (9) Runners Golden Jubilee 7/2 Fav Paid £7.5023rd July Race 6  Ffos Lass (10) Runners Idle Curiosity 13/2 Paid £2.0024th July Race 7 Leicester (6) Runners Dame Nellie Melba 15/8 Fav Paid £5.1025th July Race 6 Epsom (9) Runners Nile Night 4/1 Paid £9.0025th July Race 6 Brighton (5) Runners Marjus Quest 9/4 Paid £7.1026th July Race 6 Chepstow (4) Runners Noor Al Haya 5/2 Paid £1.4027th July Race 2 Lingfield (4) Runners Liberty Jack 4/11 Fav Paid £11/228th July Race 2 Carlisle (4) Runners De Repente 5/2 Paid £5.9031st July Race 4 Leicester (7) Runners Boadicee 6/1 Paid £14.501st August Race 3 Nottingham (9) Runners Rising Breeze 7/2 Paid £7.701st August Race 5 Nottingham (9) Runners Knight Owl 7/2 Fav Paid £6.301st August Race 1 Epsom (6) Runners Attraction Ticket 9/4 Paid £5.601st August Race 3 Stratford (8) Runners Screaming Brave 7/2 Paid £6.402nd August Race 8 Thirsk (11) Runners Gran Cannrin Queen 3/1 Fav paid £6.702nd August Race 7 Bath (9) Runners Archie Walker 2/1 Fav £4.503rd August Race 6 Newton Abbott (6) Runners 11/2 Paid £1.103rd August Race 3 Hamilton (9) Runners Perfect pustance 6/1 Paid £3.404th August Race 5 Market Rasen 6 Runners Dark Energy 9/1 Paid £4.605th August Race 6 Ripon  (4) Runners Batallion 5/6 Fav paid £6.206th August Race 5 Kempton (6) Runners Pearl Spice 13/8 Fav Paid £4.506th August Race 7 Kempton (9) Runners Truly Madly 8/1 Paid £18.607th August Race 3 Pontefract (3) Runners ...Corregio 12/1 Paid £5.507th August Race 3 Kempton (8) Runners ...... Prospera 3/1 Fav Paid £6.308th August Haydock Race 3 (5) Runners ...... IF 8/13 Fav Paid £3.608th August Yarmouth Race 5 (4) Runners .... Dambusher 5/6 Fav Paid £3.908th August Southwell Race 2 (6) Runners..... Toboggan Star 11/10 Fav Paid £1.308th August Southwell Race 3 (6) Runners .....Yamamila 3/1 Paid £6.008th August Southwell Race 6 (5) Runners .....Tongue in cheek 1/4 Fav Paid £7.10

Now I didn't previously have a Tote account, but I have one know and will be watching closely to take advantage should I be looking to back anything short. 

It sounds a little mercenary but you can see the appeal of being paid over 6-1 on 1-4 shot, 4-1 on a 11-10.....the list goes on.

For the notebook:  If you are thinking of opening an account don't go straight to their webpage as you will probably miss their free £10 bet, use the link below.