Well, I guess it is my turn...
After an enforced absence from this place I am back, and looking forward to the jumps season.
My name is Alex, am 24 years old and live in Reading. I am first and foremostly a Geography teacher, but also teach Rugby, Football and Cross Country to the lads at my school. I get to travel aswell, having set up a partnership with a school in Oman in the Middle East.
Thats enough about me, now onto my 'background'... I first started gambling with my little brother when I was 15 and he was 13. We were both tennis players, and we used to sneak into
ladbrokes and put on ridiculous tennis accys. These things came in a few times, making us what seemed like a fortune back in those days. From there, I started to regularly punt on football, rugby, tennis and cricket. I stumbled across the PL when I was a first year uni student and I wanted to know what a 'Super-Yankee' bet was. I typed something into Google and found a link to this place - the rest is history.
As horses go, I was never really into them until 2nd year at Uni. I studied at Newcastle, and one day went up to Gosforth Park for a distinctly average flat meet. I instantly fell in love with the sport, and have not looked back since. I would say that racing is now my number one past-time. I regularly back horses, and have now reched the stage where I take an interest into how racing 'works'.
This summer I tried to get to as many race meets as I could. I got to Royal Ascot, The Eclipse, The Champons Meeting at Newmarket and a good 10 other meets. I simply love it, I love the atmosphere, I love seeing the animals parade, I love chatting to the jockeys... I even treated myself to a VERY small percentage in a horse called DESERT LIGHT. He is a 6 year old gelding who runs on the all weather tacks in the midlands and the south. Last year he won 2 races from 13 and was placed another 5 times. I am hoping for a bit of fun with the 'ownership' lark this year.
As for my bets - I am not a terribly good gambler. My problem is I have no discipline. I chase losses and have on more thanone occasion had to take a break from the game to sort myself out.
I now know however, that I have fixed any 'problem' I may have had. I have become very disciplined, using level stakes E/W bets only. I have a 'stable' of about 30 horses I always back, and have become far more successful after employing this tactic.
Saying that, gambling is not the reason I love horse-racing. I only ever back my horses with small bets (I simply do not have the money to place larger bets). I just love everything that comes with the sport.
My favourite memory of horse racing was seeing my favourite horse 'Ouija Board' in the flesh, at last yeasr Eclipse. Sadly, she did not win on that occasion, but I still will never forget 'meeting' her. Other highlights include seeing Kauto Star win the Tingle Creek last year and backing Numberixvalverde at huge odds ante-post for the National a few years ago.
Placepots seem to be my nemesis... I have lost count of the number of occasions I have go to the 6th leg and not had a placed horse!
Well, thats my 'story'. This year I will be posting up comments on my 'stable' of horses as, and when they run. I am hoping to come out the over end of the season 'up', but if I don't I know I will have had alot of fun along the way...