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billy the punter · 26-03-2008, 22:53

I'm Billy (obviously). Got into gambling due to my dad having a keen interest. In the past he was a greyhound man - he had a book at a track for a while but I think it bored him. So my first experiences were at a very early age and were all around greyhound racing. That game has changed these days and he is more of a horse man now. We own three horses with one friend and were winning owners four times in our first season.

I loved the Grand National, bet on it every year, it was always kind to me and still is to this day. As soon as I reached a suitable age (ie when I could get in a betting shop, which was around 17) I started followed horses, around Royal Ascot 1994. I became obsessed straight away, I had my first 'system' by the end of the following flat season and by 1996 I had my first £500 bet. Farmost - a winner at 11/10. I'm still not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing!

I started work in the industry soon after, years at the Racing Post, as well as time as an odds compiler and tipster. It wasn't always win, win, win in those years - far from it. I had massive swings, my staking went up and down more than Tower Bridge and I've been skint more times than I care to remember. I loved all those years but left it in 2004 to give it a go as a pro.

90% of my staking is done through betfair, not only are the getting on problems are a thing of the past, I'm able to trade and bet in-running. I favour flat racing, especially the a/w. My favourite races to work on are claimers and sellers, and the big handicaps on the turf. Although I trade and play in running over the sticks I only really have opinions when it comes to the big meetings. I rarely back E/W, prefering to back two or more in a race.

In my 4th year now, and it is really hard work. For years, like all of us, my problem has been discipline. Since doing this fulltime I've had motivation and dedication added to the problem list. However I've almost grown out of all three thesedays. I made a living despite them in the past so I'm extremely hopeful of bumper profits over the NEXT four years.

Best memories
Backing Cape Verdi ante-post at 16s after her 2-y-o defeat at Royal Ascot, 11 months before the race.
Backing Private Benjamin at 100/1 when he won his maiden at Lingfield.
Backing Hardy Eustace at 40/1 just after watching Well Chief win the Arkle having backed him antepost at 33/1 - had a good night after that!
Last Saturday's 1234 in the Spring Mile is up there too, had the same thing (1234) in a L'stown handicap in 2005 with a £1100 t/c.

Worst memories
Having a T/C comb on Lord Gyllene, Suny Bay and Buckboard Bounce in the National - 1st (14s), 2nd (8s) and 4th (40s)
Wanted Ad Hoc for around 25k after backing him at 33s for the National. Went off 10/1, and was cantering when he was brought down by Davids Lad four out (who falls there?!).
Backing Yesterday antepost to win the 2003 Oaks (£200 at 40s), beaten a neck at 10/3. Read the form line - sickening.
Backing Park Accord at 66/1 for the 1000 Guineas before she saw a course, was unbeaten and 6/1 fav when she broke down at home.

26-03-2008, 22:53	#42 (permalink)
billy the punter Judge Join Date: 09 Mar 2008 Location: London Posts: 2,706	Re: ATR - Who are we? I'm Billy (obviously). Got into gambling due to my dad having a keen interest. In the past he was a greyhound man - he had a book at a track for a while but I think it bored him. So my first experiences were at a very early age and were all around greyhound racing. That game has changed these days and he is more of a horse man now. We own three horses with one friend and were winning owners four times in our first season. I loved the Grand National, bet on it every year, it was always kind to me and still is to this day. As soon as I reached a suitable age (ie when I could get in a betting shop, which was around 17) I started followed horses, around Royal Ascot 1994. I became obsessed straight away, I had my first 'system' by the end of the following flat season and by 1996 I had my first £500 bet. Farmost - a winner at 11/10. I'm still not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing! I started work in the industry soon after, years at the Racing Post, as well as time as an odds compiler and tipster. It wasn't always win, win, win in those years - far from it. I had massive swings, my staking went up and down more than Tower Bridge and I've been skint more times than I care to remember. I loved all those years but left it in 2004 to give it a go as a pro. 90% of my staking is done through betfair, not only are the getting on problems are a thing of the past, I'm able to trade and bet in-running. I favour flat racing, especially the a/w. My favourite races to work on are claimers and sellers, and the big handicaps on the turf. Although I trade and play in running over the sticks I only really have opinions when it comes to the big meetings. I rarely back E/W, prefering to back two or more in a race. In my 4th year now, and it is really hard work. For years, like all of us, my problem has been discipline. Since doing this fulltime I've had motivation and dedication added to the problem list. However I've almost grown out of all three thesedays. I made a living despite them in the past so I'm extremely hopeful of bumper profits over the NEXT four years. Best memories Backing Cape Verdi ante-post at 16s after her 2-y-o defeat at Royal Ascot, 11 months before the race. Backing Private Benjamin at 100/1 when he won his maiden at Lingfield. Backing Hardy Eustace at 40/1 just after watching Well Chief win the Arkle having backed him antepost at 33/1 - had a good night after that! Last Saturday's 1234 in the Spring Mile is up there too, had the same thing (1234) in a L'stown handicap in 2005 with a £1100 t/c. Worst memories Having a T/C comb on Lord Gyllene, Suny Bay and Buckboard Bounce in the National - 1st (14s), 2nd (8s) and 4th (40s) Wanted Ad Hoc for around 25k after backing him at 33s for the National. Went off 10/1, and was cantering when he was brought down by Davids Lad four out (who falls there?!). Backing Yesterday antepost to win the 2003 Oaks (£200 at 40s), beaten a neck at 10/3. Read the form line - sickening. Backing Park Accord at 66/1 for the 1000 Guineas before she saw a course, was unbeaten and 6/1 fav when she broke down at home.