One small account bet for us on Sunday.
Celtic Ballad, 1.5pt e/w @ 14/1 had suffered a complete loss of form but is showing a lot more at home now. He is an improving horse who will be winning soon.
He travelled well for much of the race and traded quite short on Betfair (around 3/1 in the win market) with 3 to jump.
He didn't jump that hurdle too well though and seemed to lose momentum as he rapped the hurdle. He didn't pick up well from there and could only plug on at the same pace to finish 5th of 15.
A slightly disappointing run but this horse is better than he showed here and is one to keep an eye one.
Lots of exciting things happening at SimpleBet HQ, some of which will come to light quite soon.
We have lots to look forward to over the next couple of weeks including another probable maximum bet in February.
There is a chance of a bet today but the rest of the week looks more promising as the weather looks set to warm up slightly so we should soon be back to a full house of fixtures.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
Two account bets for us today. A profit on the day but could have been much better.
First up was Sebastiano, 1pt e/w @ 20/1
This horse had started to be come frustrating and connections were hopeful the cheekpieces would work the oracle and spark him back to life.
Going off a 16/1 chance he race wide and up with the pace throughout.
Arguably going the best of all he was badly hampered going round the last bend by the loose horse, losing about 8 lengths as well as vital momentum.
He rallied well and still looked a possible winner but could only manage 3rd, beaten just 4 lengths.
The official form line was "raced wide in touch, headway to chase leaders when badly hampered and carried wide by loose horse after 3 out, rallied to 2nd and every chance 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd last"
A profit on the bet but could have been much better with some luck. There is no question in our mind he would have won with a clear run.
Our second bet was in a race where the setting sun caused many of the hurdles being dolled off and turning the race into a virtual NH flat race.
Rudanphast, 1pt e/w @ 14/1 was expected to put up a better show today after some extensive work at home.
He went off a 10/1 chance and although he was always in the front rank he was never travelling the best.
When asked to pick up with half a mile to run he did so moderately but only plugged on at the same pace to finish 4th, beaten about 6 lengths.
Five of our last six bets have run very well including Walkon, beaten just half a length at 12/1 and todays runners.
Ironically, the only one of those that ran poorly was Desert Icon who ran a cracker today, getting beaten by just a nose in second place.
We feel that we are close to another massive day happening soon as the luck does generally equal itself out. Hopefully that day will be soon, possibly tomorrow...
Thanks for reading.
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
Home is where the heart is but he wasn't quite good enough for us today!
One account bet for us and you may have guessed what it was...
Home, 2pt e/w @ 8/1 had a breathing operation before his last run and was fancied to put in a much improved performance today, having stripped fitter for the experience.
In a race where many of his opponents were well supported before the off he held his price well and went off at 7/1.
He was well positioned throughout the race in 4th place on the outside and traded 3.1 in the win market and 1.22 in the place market with around 300 yards to run.
He didn't quite have the pace to quicken inside the last furlong though and could only manage 5th, beaten just 2 lengths.
Its unlikely there will be a bet tomorrow but we have one lined up for Saturday along with a possible bet on Friday.
Speaking of Saturday, its Cheltenham trials day.
The festival is just under two months away; time seems to be flying by.
Bring it on!
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
One account bet for us today.
Night In Milan, 4pt win @ 15/8 was fancied to follow up his last time out win under a penalty.
He was running again quickly as connections are aware his handicap mark may go up considerably.
Very well supported down to 11/10 at off time he was settled at the rear of the field for much of the race.
He started to make progress with 3 to jump but approaching the final couple of furlongs it was becoming increasingly apparent that his rider, Colm McCormack, had given him too much to do.
He closed well inside the last 150 yards but was never going to catch the leader and finished 3rd, beaten just over a length.
A poor ride but when you back a horse with a 7lb claimer on board that is always a possibility.
There is a reason they are given an allowance so there is no point moaning about it.
Elsewhere, a very unlucky incident cost Alan King a winner.
Invictus could be called the winner a long way from home and jumped into the lead over the last. Starting to pull away on the flat, Choc lost his irons and the horse jinked unseating Choc.
Now that was an unlucky loser!
Fortunately for us he was too short for an account bet but we would have been slightly frustrated if we were on...!
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
Almost another suoerb weekend for our members but in the end just a small profit...
On Saturday we backed Walkon, 1.5pt e/w @ 12/1
Alan King had done us a massive favour two weeks ago when we landed our maximum bet on Mille Chief and this one was fancied to run a very big race.
He was always travelling well in the rear of the pack and started to make some decent ground with 3 to jump.
He moved through smoothly and led jumping the last, only be to caught on the run in and beaten half a length. A superb run for a horse that had been off the track for so long and almost a lovely touch landed.
Alan suffered a torrid year last season and that is one of the reasons our profit was reduced from pervious years. He now has his string in superb form and they are only going to get better. His horses will be a fine asset to us over the coming months.
One small bet today, a poor one.
Desert Icon, 2pt win @ 4/1 is a very difficult horse to win with but it was hoped the softer handling today might just work the oracle.
In short, it didn't and he was pretty much in last place from the outset.
We wont be backing him again although he will probably pop up at a big price when least expected.
Lots to look forward to this week and we expect quite a few decent bets.
The season is really in full swing now and there is under two months to go to Cheltenham.
Speaking of which, we will probably have an ante post bet (or two) towards the end of the week for members as we start to look forward to the big one.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
www.simplebet.net
Almost one account bet today!
Tornado Force, 3pt win @ 9/4 was backed right down to evens at the off before throwing off Luke Morris at the start.
Luke looked to take a nasty whack in the face and unfortunately the horse was withdrawn.
The race itself didn't look like it would have taken much winning with the 50/1 rag finishing a close second but you can never really tell.
One to look out for in the future though...
We have a few bets lined up for later in the week, Friday and Saturday at this stage.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
www.simplebet.net
Two small account bets for us yesterday in the heavy ground at Hereford.
First up was Doctor Disny, 1pt e/w @ 14/1
This one was going in first time blinkers and connections felt it could make a difference.
He ran well for three quarters of the race and was always in the first four but faded with 3 to jump and dropped back.
Second runner was Bathwick Quest, 1pt e/w @ 18/1
She ran well last time out and would love the heavy ground. Connextions were confident of a place at least.
However, it was almost a copy of Doctor Disny's race. She was in the front rank and jumped well throughout but faded with 3 to jump.
Elsewhere, we had some very interesting news about a runner a week on Saturday (22nd)
There is every chance that we will be having another maximum bet. Just like buses, we had no maximum bets last year and may end up having two in January!
Just a few hours left to join our Jan100 competition that closes at midday today. (Details below)
We are also donating 50% of any new members fees to the Australian floods appeal for anyone that joins before Saturday.
Lots going on!
There should be an account bet today. Just waiting on a call or two.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
From the sublime to the ridiculous today!
We had one small account bet.
Rough Sketch, 1pt e/w @ 16/1 is new to the yard and hadn't run for a very long time.
However, he was showing something at home and although a speculative bet, there was the potential to shock a few today.
Our fun was pretty much over within half a mile as he raced very keenly and pulled throughout when forced to lead.
He was never in with a chance as soon as the race started in earnest and finished a remote last.
Not the end of the world as we staked very cautiously but you are only as good as your last bet and all that...
We have a couple to look forward to this week and are hoping for another very good week.
Its unlikely there will be a bet tomorrow but we will know more in the morning.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
Two account bets for us on Saturday, a superb day!
First up was Arrayan, 5pt win @ 5/2.
The message for this one was very strong. He had travelled well for a long while last time out but tired and made a few jumping errors close home. He had been schooled extensively since that run and was well fancied here.
He was always in a handy position and ridden to make some good progress with a couple to jump. He looked the winner a long way from home and took the lead with around 300 yards to run. He was pushed out but won pretty easily. A great start to the day.
Our second bet was a very rare maximum bet.
Our last maximum bet was in November 2009! That won at 7/1.
The message for this one was:
3.45 Sandown, Mille Chief 10pt win. Take 5/2 BetFred, VC
Alan believed this horse was the best hurdler he had ever trained and we were on at a very nice ante post price at Cheltenham. Connections were gutted he went lame and couldn't take part and he has been eased back into things. Met a well handicapped horse last time out and that run has put him spot on for today. This horse looks an absolute picture at home and although he has to carry top weight here in heavy ground connections will be gutted is he isn't different class to his rivals today. The money for Zazamix is a slight concern as that one has had a wind operation but if the Mille Chief that works so well at home turns up it shouldn't matter.
There was a ton of money for Zazamix, forcing our runner out to 10/3. (4/1+ on Betfair)
However the money was badly misplaced as Mille Chief could be called the winner with over a mile to run.
He cruised through to take the lead on the bit and quickened away to win by a very easy six lengths.
In the heavy ground, carrying such a huge weight this was a very impressive performance and just how a maximum bet should win!
45 points+ profit on the day and another super Saturday for our members.
We were inundated with emails from members with both thanks and many sharing how much they had won. Quite a few also backed a sneaky double on both selections. Good work!
Its always great to hear from members, especially when they are happy!
We have also had a huge response to our "6 months membership for £100 competition"
So much so that we have decided to give away 10 memberships instead of the original 5.
Its not to late to try your luck. Just email us quoting 'Jan100' and we will put you in the draw. The competition ends at midday on Friday 14th January.
We have a few to look forward to this week, mainly towards the end of the week.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
www.simplebet.net
Due to the success of our free January competition we now have another competition.
We are giving away 5 six month memberships for just £100 - less than half price!
Email us quoting 'Jan100' to enter.
The competition is open to new and existing members and ends at midday on the 14th January. Good luck!
Thanks for reading!
SimpleBet
www.simplebet.net
One account bet for us today.
Brave Prospector, 3pt win @ 11/4 was an account bet for us last month when he didn't get a run throughout and is a winner waiting to happen.
He was well supported down to 9/4 favourite at the off and broke well to nail a spot on the rails.
After 2 furlongs he was trading at a very short even money on Betfair.
Just before the home turn, Silaah was kicked into a lead and went clear.
Brave Prospector put up a brave chase but the winner had shot clear under a very good ride and there was no catching him.
There could be an argument that our selection was caught out and should have stayed closer to the pace but sometimes you have to put your hands up and say we were beaten by a good ride.
Weather permitting we have a probable maximum bet over the weekend planned.
It could be either Saturday or Sunday at this stage but we have been waiting for this one for a while.
Fingers crossed the weather behaves itself and all goes to plan.
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
One small bet for us today, starting 2011 with a small profit.
The message for Buffalo Bob, 2pt e/w @13/2 was a simple one. If he stayed he would probably win.
Our Kim Bailey contact has done us proud over the last couple of months and another big run was expected today.
Buffalo Bob was very well supported down to 4/1 at the off and lead pretty much from the start, as expected.
He traded at around 2.3 with 3 furlongs to go and it looked like we were really going to start the new year with a bang. Blazing Bailey was travelling ominously well though and to be fair, even if our selection had seen the trip out he probably wouldn't have beaten that one.
Buffalo Bob did struggle to see the trip out but plugged on well to get the place money in 4th place.
So, a slight profit to start the month and new year.
We currently have 5 January memberships to give away.
To enter all you need to do is to email us quoting 'January'
5 people will be picked at random and given memberships until the 31st January. The offer is open to new and existing members and ends on the 5th January.
Why not give it a go? You have nothing to lose...
Thanks for reading
SimpleBet
http://www.simplebet.net/
