Having put the two sets of figures together for April, I can only marvel once more at Jake's tipping prowess with his total of £1199: phenomenal - very well done in winning this yet again, Jake. Highflying and Gforce also made a profit, with GazP and Luke very close behind; probably the best month all in all since we started the competition.
(Off topic, but I think of general importance for all of us who bet on horseracing).
I think the Guardian's article about the Gambling White paper makes some good points, in particular the need to separate betting on horseracing and gaming. Currently it is not open for comments.
Football has been developed as a betting "opportunity" not dissimilar to gaming by bookmakers with bets possible on every minute of the game and related to every player on the pitch at any given moment. Young men appear to be susceptible to those approaches which are (nearly) all transacted on smartphones. This bears some similarities, I suppose, to betting in running on horseracing.
Another wellmade point is the possibility that a person's creditworthiness may be affected by their gambling/gaming profile and that could affect other important aspects of a person's life, such as getting a mortgage. On the other hand, to play devil's advocate, maybe serious expenditure on gambling should be taken into account?
I don't think it is sensible to wave away concerns about vulnerable "problem gamblers" on the grounds that they are a small minority. Many people with serious health problems are in a minority, but this does not diminish their importance. The fact that they are vulnerable should mean that as a society we should protect them from exploitation. And the exploitation is by bookmakers, none of whom, I think convince me that they are serious in dealing with their responsibilities in this area.
I don't have much confidence that the government will legislate sensibly. It is already established that lobbyists have been using the usual means to sway opinions of MP's, not only government supporters.
From discussions on this topic in the past, I have got the impression that what a number of people find unacceptable is a) the principle that someone else may decide what level of financial risk an individual might take by b) requiring a disclosure of income and savings and so on. Such disclosure is arguably a hostage to fortune in the hands of a body (bookmaker) whose interests are clearly not those of the customer and who has a vested interest. Who would ensure that such details are properly handled?
Those are just a few thoughts. Might this not be an opportunity to put bookmakers under far more stringent regulation, so that, for example, they can not just close down an account because a customer has been winning. Or that they are subject to the same financial rules and penalties which apply to other organisations when there is a dispute. The current situation leaves very little power in the hands of an aggrieved customer.
River Usk won 9/4.
Paddington won the 14.25. Curragh at 5/6.
I can't believe I didn't get around to doing the straight forecast in that Race or His Majesty earlier as I intended as I have been stressed out trying to get my TV working.
Normally kicking electronic devices gets them working but this TV won't budge.
I'll try Above the Curve 4.10C nap
Very well done Jake - an incredible total. 😁
Congratulations Jake on a fantastic month. I like the way you casually threw in a 16/5 winner on the last day just to show you could find winners in all conditions, all distances and all odds. I'm pretty sure you could do it on a cold Tuesday night at Southwell.
Yeah Man in the 15:55 at Down Royal.
Very well done, Jake. I won't repeat the stained glass window image...However, your long odds winners are what I aspire to find, the much maligned and argued about "value bets" where the punter can outsmart the expectations of the market and the bookies.
Well done Jake.
The nap today is Aurophobia - 17.18
Pride Of Hawridge 4.57 Warwick is today,s nap well done yesterdays winners.Many thanks for all the comments the stars all aligned for me this month,i will never achieve that monthly total again I am sure.
NAP Independent Expert 4.45 The Curragh of Kildare.
Hard to see Jakes total being surpassed. Quite a haul. Great stuff.
Herbiere in the Warwick 14.37 to try and bring May in with a win .
Queens rock 4.15K. No superlatives left for Jake after a stunning performance, brilliant.
Very well done Jake…Makalu 16:38 Bev Nap
Tremendous effort Jake !
Ew nap. Princess Rajj. Curragh 5.20.
Top Jake. Perhaps you should consider a name change to Jakechampagne.
Nap Bath 1423 Dorcel
who could be about a stone in on one of my barmy theories. A bit like Gaz's pick Vitralite.
Great stuff Jake, well done. I think the consistency of some of those on this forum compares very favourably with the ‘pros’ doing their daily thing in the RP etc.
New month, fresh start and Spirit of the Bay in the 16.43 at Bath will do for me. (The camera angle for most of the last couple of furlongs there makes it difficult to see who is leading. It’s as if they’ve positioned the camera at the tap end!)
Well done Jake, that was some total. I hear Paddy Power are already paying out any antepost vouchers on Jake for May? Hopefully, we will provide sterner opposition this month. However, at least have the good grace not to select a 50/1 in the first week?
Nap: 3.54 Windsor - Tyger Bay
Congratulations to Jake on an incredible month and those on, or near, the podium
Salisbury 4.43 shoot to kill ew
Congratulations Jake, that's some performance. And very well done to the others, as Young Mister Grace used say "You've all done very well".
Jake,
enjoy that winning prize of a plastic litre bottle of Buckfast.
Best consumed in your local park and remember to brag about this achievement to random strangers who pass you by on the bench.
It appears to be May and I am napping an even money shot in a Race where I have no choice to do otherwise.
Paddington. 14.25 Curragh.
APOB hates the Tetrach (mud and more mud), and has not tried to win this since his last win 20 years ago.
He runs two today in Drumroll and Paddington who in theory are bred to run in swamp.
I have and will always back Paddington whatever.
I napped Londoner a short while back as the City of my birth to no avail but now I have the post code narrowed down to Paddington which Estate Agents suggest is North Kensington but I know precisely what is written on my Birth Certificate.
APOB is not averse to Head Gear.
I suggest kitting out Paddington in a duffle coat should be the order of the day.
They come in all sizes.
Forget about the Head Gear.
Well done