[Gingertipster]

Gingertipster, The Early Years.
The name is Mark, 41, and single. Joined PL only in July this year.
When I was knee high to a pony I wanted to be a jockey. Started lessons when about 6 years old. Got carted a couple of times and fell off. Then they put me on a thoroughbred, too high up for me so I stopped.
Always watched racing on TV, it was not the gambling that got me interested, just loved the sport. In 76 (I think) the family had a sweep stake on the National. I plumped for Red Rum, he finished 2^nd but picked up the winnings anyway for beating the other five selected horses home. Ten minutes later, we saw the result on screen. First number 6 (or was it 16). My Nan had picked her horse by its number and did not know its name, you guessed it Number 6 Rag Trade. So with the winnings in my hands I had to give it all back. The next year Red Rum (and I) won.
Looking back I can see my mother tried to put me off betting. She gave me an exercise book to write down every bet I would have made (if old enough). Much to my mothers disgust, by some miracle I made a profit. And a gambler was made.
At 18 I opened an account with a local bookie and lost £200 within a few months. Thought I knew it all in those days, now of course I Know I know it all. Well almost, you are always learning at this game. Then came the 1985 classics, had an ante-post bet on Oh So Sharp for the 1000 Guineas, won by a short head and short head, just getting up. And £25 each way on Slip Anchor at 16/1 for the Derby, easy 12 length winner. That year I put more in to my building society account than I earned in wages. Bought my first Timeform book and never looked back.
Often found over the years I was pretty good at predicting favourites months in advance (not the winner just the favourite) so ante post bets were / are a good source of income. Mr Frisk 33/1, Bobbyjoe 25/1, West Tip 20/1, Dawn Run 5/1, Desert Orchid 5/1, Looks Like Trouble 33/1, Kicking King 12/1 and many many more, that is not to mention the flat.
Best ever result was in 2003. Had watched the 2002 Greatwood Hurdle when Rooster Booster won well under top weight from a good quality field. Thought, that horse must be about a 20% (4/1) chance for the Champion Hurdle. Most offers were around 7/1 or 8/1, one had 10/1, but Stan James offered 12/1. A bet with a capital B. Put my usual amount on, thought bets like this don't come along very often, so backed it again to win 4 figures (just). Then, a few days later my Timeform arrived and described the performance as “good enough to win 3 of the last 4 Champion Hurdles”. By this time it was top priced 8/1 but had to go in yet again and doubled my stake. Lucky its temperament held for the rest of the season. Rarely shout a horse home but did that day.
Joined the West Berkshire Racing Club about four or five years ago (not an owners group). We go on visits to stables, studs and have evening talks by racing personalities held at Newbury racecourse. I can thoroughly recommend this and any other similar racing clubs to anyone interested in the non-betting side of racing. WBRC membership costs £12 plus £5 a visit. Went to Paul Nicholls, Marcus Treggonnig, Alan King, Emma Lavelle, Shadwell and Gainsborough Studs to name just a few. With visits to Nicky Henderson and Henrietta Knight already lined up for January. Am also in a team which takes on a host of racing celebrities, including teams from the Racing Post, Raceform, Wetherbys, Trainers, Jockeys etc. in an annual quiz (on 22^nd Jan), great fun night.
Member at Goodwood and a tattersalls member at Newbury besides being a regular at Salisbury, Wincanton and Fontwell. Infrequant journeys to Ascot, Sandown and Bath. Unfortunately the furthest I venture north is Cheltenham.

Two days that changed my life.
In the early 90's, at Wincanton I got talking to a chap about how we bet. I said I look at the Timeform race card and find horses with the best chances of winning. Then back the one I think is value. He told me why by beating the starting price punters are not necessarily getting value. He explained about true odds. I vowed to find out more and it changed the way I backed horses completely. From then on have tried to make a 100% book. Or, at least by knowing the “table of odds and chances” off by heart can find true value. The 100% tissue is only an opinion but, over time, if a punter makes a profit he can say he gets true value (most of the time). That bloke at Wincanton I now know as professional gambler Alan Potts, we still have chats, putting the world of racing to rights.
About four years ago I was diagnosed diabetic and no longer had the energy for the hours of manual work I once did. This hastened my decision to go (very) part time and concentrate on trying to make enough to live on by “investing” in racehorses. Had it planned twenty years ago, saved up, done the sensible things like keeping outgoings to an absolute minimum. Don't even have a mortgage to worry about, or a wife come to that. Think they are put off by my “gambling”, either that or they're ginger phobic! (Any women on the PL? For applications, apply within).
In truth, although making make a profit I do not put enough on, or make enough to call myself a professional gambler; yet. Wanted to prove it was possible before going in for the kill. I remember Alan once told me many punters make money to small stakes, but when they put larger sums on it effects the way they look at races. Not getting value anymore, so not making a profit. May be I will be one of those, but it will be fun finding out.
Thats about it, got a bit carried away. If you want to know how I bet then find a thread I started called “How to produce a 100% book” or take a look at Gingers Jumpers.


Ginge