I have backed all of those Henderson horses you've listed, maybe that's where I've been going wrong on the race. Il be going for Mullins and Douvan this year though, I'm not touching Lami Serge! I wouldn't advise people to stay away from the handicaps, just if you are going to bet on them use Betfair to, as the bookies on these big handicaps bet to like 140% overround so there is little value in the market. Betfair is forced to bet to 100% though by the market forces so there is still value to be found. On a normal graded race that has say 8 runners the bookies will usually bet to around 105-110% so you can still find value on those races if you shop around for the top prices, but if your betting on big field handicaps that are betting to 140% your going to lose in the long run
The worst race for me is by far the Ryanair. The only time i have done OK in that was when i had Alberta's Run when he came second at 10/1. The Byrne Group plate has been ridiculously good to me in the past. Had Ballynagour last year, Vino Griego e/w the year before who placed at 11/1, Salut Flo the year before who won and Holmwood Legend the year before that won at 25/1!
I wonder if we could use this info to get some winners, and avoid some losers, for the scoop 6 one day.
The last 5 Bumper winners. 16-1. Silver Concorde. 25-1. Briar Hill. 16-1. Champagne Fever. 14-1. Cheltenian. 40-1. Cue Card. The race has been a real minefield of late.
In days gone by the Champion Hurdle was good to me, and once the old Daily Express Triumph Hurdle when I managed to find Connaught Ranger in a renewal that was run a month late due to bad weather at the Festival. In recent times not good at all, expect for Cue Card in that Champion Bumper. To this day I am still stunned it ever happened. Lord, almost forgot dear old Best Mate, that would have been disgraceful, backed this fine chaser on all three occasions in the Gold Cup. (28-lbs and a beating to Best Mate, remember that?.....balls! ). Festival races I never did win on? Plenty of those!.......... (Cyc, remember asking Stick's advice after Cue Card's debutante win at Fontwell. Was so impressed, but was worried I was seeing things! Had monster bash at one of the two Hiltons here with family and close friends after the big Bumper win, wasn't much left of my winnings after it!).
