Perhaps Racing for Change can take a few ideas from the Italians of Siena!

Each summer, Siena, Italy, gears up for the Palio, a bareback horse race that's been held twice annually in the city's main piazza since 1644. The races take place July 2 and August 16, but the three days leading up to it are filled with intense preparations—processions, blessings from priests, community dinners that reveal the jockey's game time strategies. An outsider might have a tough time understanding it all!

This is how it works: A jockey and horse represents each contrada, or neighborhood; 10 of the 17 districts, chosen at random, compete in each Palio; and the winner earns bragging rights for the rest of the year. The actual race is short—the horses circle the Piazza del Campo three times, which usually takes less than 90 seconds. Even if the jockey falls off (which happens often enough that mattresses are piled against the wall next to the most dangerous turn) the horse could finish the race and win on its own.

Three days before the races there practice events at 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Watching these can be a great way of soaking up the atmosphere without the race-day crowds and heat.

A good suggestion is rooting for one of the participating contrade and following its processions, which are filled with songs and festitivities in the days leading up to the race. You'll also want to know your enemy—most neighourhood have rivals, and rooting against those horses is part of the fun.

On race day, people get to the piazza early to claim their seats. If you'd like to watch the jockeys receive their pre-race blessings, head to the Cappella della Madonna piazza at 8 a.m; the horses get their own benedictions at 2 p.m. in neighborhood churches. And then the procession begins: 600 participants in Renaissance garb wave flags and wind their way from the Duomo to the piazza, accompanied by a raucous noise of drums.

The best place to watch the race is from the balconies of the surrounding buildings or from the stands that create an amphitheatre around the piazza. There is no central ticket office; individual property owners sell these seats, so you'll need to ask around to buy tickets. If you can't find a ticket, the centre of the piazza is free and open to the public. Even so, the superstitious stay away. While there are those who watch the Palio from every different corner of the piazza or from the stands, some stay well away from the race praying in church or closing themselves up in their neighbourhood meeting hall since they can’t bear to watch.

After the August races, residents from the champion contrada sing the Te Deum hymn in the Duomo to thank the Madonna for victory. Then the party starts: The winning contrada back to its neighborhood to celebrate, and weekend festivals continue into the fall.

The Actuary star selects 100-1 winner at Wolverhampton

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips star selections ended a frustrating day at Wolverhampton with 100-1 winner Hold The Star. With Goldstorm 2nd at 5-2, Holly Martins 2nd 11-1, What About You 2nd 10-3 in the previous races it looked like a day of hitting the post for the star selections until Mataaleb took the 4:40 at 11-4. Sandbetweenourtoes 2nd 7-2 in the next completed a quadruple of second places before the Ann Stokell ridden and trained Hold The Star took the last at 100-1.

Hold The Star took up the running turning for home and had the rest of the field floundering with the exception of 6-5 favourite Niger who was closing down the straight but was unable to get any closer than 1.25 lengths away at the line.

Speed and Class selection Ballyheigue takes 6:55

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips 'Speed and Class' selection Ballyheigue available at 10-1 with B365 and Victor Chandler earlier today made all to win Kempton Parks 6:55 at an SP of 13-2. Shane Kelly must have felt the game was up after David Probert riding Savida was almost on terms in the final furlong but Ballyheigue kept on fighting and held on grimly by a head to ensure a profit for subscribers on the day

Horse Racing Tips - Pace and Going

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips 'Pace and Going' figures were seen to good affect again on yesterdays card at Kempton Park. Fortuitously perhaps in the first where Ceiling Kitty was the only horse with a rating. Nevertheless it should pointed out that if the figure had been less than 97% we would have had no interest. Ceiling Kitty won at 5-2 beating 4-6 fav Citius

We also had an interest in the following race with Exceedance who in the words of the Racing Post 'blitzed' the field and the race was won within the first two furlongs. As with Ceiling Kitty, Exceedance consistency was unproven but both had exceeded expectations to date and the 7-1 SP was well worth the gamble.

The next race where we had an interest was in the 4:20 with Muntasir. Unfortunately this time we would be disappointed with the selection unable to pick-up to the same degree as the first two home.

We had two interests in the 4:50 with Ashva and Terdaad. The writing was on the wall for Ashva from the start after missing the break. Terdaad in my opinion should have won!  Taken back from a prominent position to midfield Dettori simply gave the horse to much to do and closed all the way to the line to fail by a neck. 

Only one interest in the 5:20 again with a similar profile to those above with just the one rating. Fade to Grey was given a patient ride by De Sousa but was frequently niggled but was always going the best in the closing stages to win at 5-2.

And in the final race our interest turned to Haamaat. Unlike the profile of those selected in the previous races Haamaat shines out as the P&G banker on the card with three flawless ratings. Unfortunately it was in opposition to a 'Speed and Class' selection and won out at 10-11  

No so busy tomorrow with only two Southwell races of interest from a P&G prospective. And in both races we are in opposition to two of the most heavily touted horses on the card!

The Actuary's first selection proves as tough as Teak

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips first selection of the day 2 points Teak in Wolverhampton' s 4.10 lived up to its name as it chased home and finally ground down the long time leader Landesherr. Teak selected by 'On The Money' and 'The Actuary' put all four methods in to profit for May.

Available at 3-1 with Paddy Power this morning Ryan Clark had to work hard over the final two furlongs to peg back the advantage gained by Landesherr and went past the post a comfortable neck up to provide The Actuary subscribers another day of profit.

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips highlights 12-1 selection in 3:10

With no selections until the later races on the card at Wolverhampton those who's attention turned to The Actuary 'Pace and Going' highlighted horses would have found First Bid widely available at 12-1 earlier today. The ease of victory was so emphatic that even should Final Delivery have taken the challenge it would have struggled.

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips highlights first two home in 14:40

With no selections until the later races on the card at Wolverhampton those who's attention turned to The Actuary 'Pace and Going' highlighted horses would have found the first two home in the 14:40 with Sholan and Curzon Line filling the first two places.

The Actuary - Just another winning day!

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips provided three unadventurous selections on today's moderate Lingfield Park card. The first and most speculative being 1 point Slately Hen in a 'Amateur Ladies' event. A search term on Google that provided a good hours entertainment this morning and I was still none the wiser as to who was the best rider ;)

The second selection 1 point on Aye Aye Rigby. Having taken marginally odds-on this morning I was somewhat pleased that Aye Aye Rigby returned at evens in a comfortable victory where George Baker made all. 

With honours evens, 1 point lost, 1 point gained, the burden of expectation fell on 3 point selection Hefner and Richard Hughes. 

As they swung for home the William Hills price of 2-1 taken earlier this morning looked very generous and perhaps my concerns in the dying strides as Handsome Ransom closed were misplaced when watching the replay. Like a film when you know the ending it hard not to be smug about it. 

The Actuary 3 point selection gutsy Gusto takes Pavilion Stakes

Today's All Weather card at Kempton was a bit of a bonus which left me a little unsure how results would fair with the participants expecting to be running on turf at Ascot. Only two selections came out through the methodical process but both 3 point selections.

Red Cadeaux the first of the selections unfortunately having beaten off his more fancied rivals was unable to show the phenomenal turn of foot shown by Colour Vision

     

Gusto the second and final 3 point selection held the day. Available at 5-2 overnight Gusto was prominent throughout and took the lead with a furlong to go but was soon passed by Bannock. At that stage you would have expected Gusto to tamely fade but Richard Hughes got Gusto back in front and going away from the opposition in a driving finish.
At the line Gusto was a clear 3/4 length up!

From Lingfield to Kempton but the winners keep coming

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips got Kempton Park of to a great start with 'Star Selection' Gabriels Lad
Winning at an SP of 6-1 after drifting from 4-1 early today Eddie Ahern scooted 4 lengths clear in a master of strides coming down the Kempton straight and so convincing a margin in the final strides allowed Ahern to ease down considerably. 

99.4%		Compton Prince	99.2%
98.7%		Backtrade	98.6%
98.2%	*	Gabriel´s Lad	99.3%
95.4%		Langley Vale	99.0%
94.1%		Exkaliber
		Indian Moon
		Khaleejiya
		School Fees
		Silkee Supreme
		Sir Fredlot
		Snowy Valley
		Starlight Secret

Proper Charlie - Jim Crowley holds on!

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips top rated and starred selection takes Lingfield Park's 4:00. Available at 7-2 most of the morning Proper Charlie came home a well backed 9-4. Jim Crowley was able to split the leaders in the straight to make the run and looked like a comfortable winner until starting to tie up in the final half furlong but held on by a very slender neck.

99.8%	*	Proper Charlie
99.3%		Rightcar	97.9%
99.3%		Catalinas Diamond	99.6%
99.2%		Volito	99.8%
99.1%		Speedyfix	96.4%
98.4%		Amber Heights	99.5%
98.3%		Dvinsky	99.1%
97.3%		Baby Dottie	100.0%
97.2%		Dingaan	97.9%
97.2%		Itum

The Actuary Top Rated Willies Wonder takes Lingfield Park opener

The Actuary Horse Racing Tips top rated Willies Wonder (7-2) and Michael Hills took the opener at Lingfield Park beating the heavily backed Khubala (6-4) Ryan Moore in to fourth place. Willies Wonder stalked leader Lady Gibraltar before making its challenge as they came of the bend and maintained a healthy advantage to the line with the second Trail of Tears and Khubala doing their best work at the end. 

100.0%		Willies Wonder
99.5%		Trail Of Tears
99.4%		Amphora
97.8%		Lady Gibraltar	101.0%
96.6%		Darnathean
96.6%		Marah Music
95.9%		Khubala	97.0%

Speed and Class - 25th April 2012

Horse Racing Tips subscribers got the Kempton Park evening meeting of to a fine start with Choral a decisive winner of the 6:20 at an SP of 7-2. The Speed and Class selection showed both qualities in this grade from a hand and heels ride from Ryan Moore which saw Choral sprint clear in the final furlong for a bloodless victory. 

The Actuary - 25th April 2012

Horse Racing Tips subscribers to The Actuary had a squeaky bum moment in the 8:25 Kempton. Selection Passion Play advised at 8-1 drawn 7 of 8 was given licence to dictate the pace but was being punched along by Jim Crowley with 4 furlongs of the 1 mile and half trip still to cover. As they raced down the straight it looked liked Passion Play was going to be swamped but almost like a penny arcade horse racing machine they came and faded leaving Passion Play re-asserting by a widening margin in the last half furlong to score at a an SP of 4-1. Another reminder to take the early prices with BOG Bookmakers guys! 

Trip Handicap and Speed'N'Class - 24th April 2012

Horse Racing Tips: Watching the 'Trip Handicap' and 'Speed'n'Class selection Hallstatt (7-1) fail to get up in the 3:55 Wolverhampton was a painful experience yesterday. Having drawn alongside Kieran Fallon on Fade To Grey (green cap), it looked favourable for Michael O'Connoll on Hallstatt (red cap) to sweep on by. I am sure Hallstatt had at one stage headed the long time leader but as the televised viewing angle started to unwind Fade To Grey was grinding back the slim lead gained by O'Connoll to get up by a neck.

Horse Racing Tips: Star Performance

As most herald March as the end of the All Weather season you may have expected that a service entirely dedicated to All Weather racing would be going in to hibernation. 

2012 fixtures looks to have broken the mould and this perception with no fewer than 112 All Weather fixtures between April and September which averages out at a little under 5 meetings a week!

Already in April we have accrued an additional 44.46 points profit and we are only two thirds in!

Beyond those opportunities landing in the inbox of subscribers each evening, there are other good betting opportunities on the All Weather that should not be missed if your intention is to make money.

I think it would be fair to say that The Actuary top rated horse in each race hold their own and consistently perform well unlike some other handicap rating services.

   100.8% * Hazzard County 101.3% 1ST 6-4

   100.6% * Abi Scarlet 102.5% 1ST 7-2

So it would not take much imagination to conclude how well a top rated, star selection would perform!

100.3% * Laugh Out Loud 100.4% 1ST 6-1

100.5% * Climaxfortackle 101.6%

If you were to add that the horse was also the top rating over course and distance

98.8% * Smarty Time 100.1%

100.3% * Howyadoingnotsobad 100.5% 1ST 2-1

Not only was it top rated over course and distance its course and distance rating was in excess of its last time out rating.

99.7% * Gorgeous Goblin 101.2% 1ST 7-2

101.3% * Stand Guard 102.1% 1ST 4-7

But surely a horse which is The Actuary top rated, has The Actuary ‘*’ against its name, has the top ‘Course and Distance’ rating which is in excess of its last time out is going to go off at prohibitive odds?

101.0% * Dark Castle 101.2% 1ST 2-1

98.5% * Daring Damsel 99.4% 1ST 14-1

Apparently not!

So far during April 12 there have been 10 qualifiers with 8 winning (those listed above), only ONE of the winners was odds-on. It may appear fortuitous that we have a 14-1 selection in the mix BUT history would suggest not! 

Happy punting

Horse Racing Tips: The Actuary selection Boss's Destination.
The Actuary and On The Money selection looked to be struggling in the early stages of the 4:35 32red Handicap as the leaders set off at a blistering pace over 2 miles at Southwell. But turning for home, 3 furlongs out Boss's Destination looked the strongest and only likely winner and scored at 3-1.

Horse Racing Tips: Speed and Class

Subscribers to 'Speed and Class' added a little more profit for February after Qeethaara won Kempton Parks 

 7:05 - Betdaq Mobile Apps Handicap at 9-2

Ridden by Luke Morris currently chasing the All Weather Jockeys Championship, Qeethara swooped fast and late to foil the fast finish of Warbond down the rail.

There are 6 selections for tomorrows cards at Southwell and Kempton Park. To receive these selections simply click the subscribe button below!