13th April 2016

Hi ,

Well with the Grand National done and dusted we move on to the Classic trials at Newmarket this week. One piece of advice is to watch all the three year old races especially those horses making their seasonal debuts as it’s all pretty much guesswork as to who is fit and who might need the outing. I tend to watch those races with a view to the future.

Going back to the National I made a crazy blunder in as much as my main bet was Goonyella each way. I had to be out early to run a few errands so I couldn’t get my bet online so I walked into a local Corals shop in Hove and placed the bet thinking I was guaranteed 5 places only to find out later they were only paying out on the first 4 and 5 places were only available to bets placed online or on the phone.

Mind you I found out some interesting stats regarding this particular Coral shop while speaking with the manager in as much that 70% of their turnover comes from the fruit machines, 20% from sports betting (mostly football) and only 10% from horse and dog betting.

The manager actually admitted if it wasn’t for the machines the management would most certainly close the establishment as when you consider the cost of wages, rent and business rates. I’m pretty sure this isn’t a one off and it’s more than likely a general scenario throughout the country.

It’s quite amazing as at one time back in the day it was always racing that was the bookmaker main contributor to turnover. Perhaps it’s time racing took a long hard look in the mirror and came up with a super bet to compete with the National Lottery as the old Scoop 6 was never sexy enough to encourage non racing people to have a punt.

We have to understand that bookmakers are running a business and the only thing of importance are the profit margins. I understand this as I have run many businesses in my time and that is what I believe sets me apart from other tipsters as even my tipping services are run on a business model.

At the moment I run two businesses the tipping services and I’m involved in gold bullion and if anything is not profitable over time I knock it on the head.

Today’s Newmarket card could be informative and for Howies Hottie I’m on Air Pilot in the 4.30. It’s a 9 furlong event and over this specialist trip I tend to look for horses that have won over further than a mile. Air Pilot has winning form over 10 furlongs and he is favoured by the ratings. He should go well and any softening of the ground would be a bonus.

HOT HANDICAPPERS - Hope you filled your boots on Eatlake at Aintree as he won at 22/1 (also tipped by Fold4gold and given as freebie on my Twitter page)

FLAT

Surewecan trainer M.Johnston - Ran well last week when 2nd and should pick up a race as he has dropped in the handicap. He runs at Kempton tonight.

Spas Dancer trainer J.Eustace - Another who has come down the ratings and loves soft ground.

Top Tug trainer A.King - A winner at Lingfield last week for new connections he can also pay his way on the turf.

Back next Wednesday be lucky.

Howard Davis-Shaw.

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