It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Nope, not Christmas.
When October rolls around, when the last vestiges of summer have disappeared and the nights have started drawing in, there is one thing that happens every year that warms the cockles of the ardent National Hunt racing fan fortunate enough to have discovered one of the great racing tipsters. Yup, it’s the return of Racing Service 2.
Now into his ninth season (where does the time go!?!), RS2 sent out the email just last week; the email that each year, makes me smile as soon as I see it hit my inbox. The email that states that very soon, RS2 will be sending out his tips and thoughts on the day’s racing.
Over time, RS2 has tweaked what he offers to cater for two distinct categories of followers. One is the investor, those who regard their betting purely as a means to a financial end. The other category is that which holds what I would call the romantics, the enthusiasts of the sport who relish the insight that a true expert in the field provides, the ‘theories’ and sharp form analysis that entertains and educates in equal measure.
Where do I sit on this spectrum? I guess with a foot planted in both camps, although when it comes to RS2, I’m happy for my heart to rule my head. I am a fan of National Hunt racing. To me it has far more human stories than flat racing, more soul, if you like. I’m not saying flat jockeys aren’t courageous. Of course they are. But stick a man on top of a ton of hard muscled equine athlete and then go ask it for a big jump at the last, sandwiched between two equally muscular beasts knowing that one small error could end in a broken leg, back, or worse…THAT is courage on a different scale. That can only be admired, man and horse in equal measure.
So when RS2 allows, through his scribblings, a better and more informed insight into this world, there’s nothing for me not to love. And to add to it all, A. is one of nature’s true gentlemen and genuinely one of the nicest men you could hope to meet. The only thing I would complain about – the only – is his choice of football team!
With my investor’s hat on, RS2 offers a clear contrast to the concerns I expressed over Racing Service 1 last week. Over the years, RS” has successfully tweaked how he runs his service, always with the best interest of his subscribers at heart. He and Wayne of Northern Monkey have always excelled in their approach to their paying members in this way. RS2 continues to put his service through an ongoing process of evolution, and that process has continued this year, reading of his plans for the forthcoming season. But behind these tweaks, I know that his actual methodology for identifying horses that are overpriced remains constant. Complex at times, I think. But consistent.
From the investor’s viewpoint, I guess the vulnerability of RS2 is that with it running over a period just short of half a year, with relatively few bets given compared to a number of other successful services out there, there is always a risk of an underwhelming year as results are rendered more vulnerable to variance. But that to me, misses the point of RS2. RS2 could have a rotten year, I’d still be looking forward eagerly to the start of the next because I know the skill and work ethic of the man behind it, and I know his talent is unquestionable.
Bring it on!
Portfolio performance for October (to the 5th)
With one less racing service than I’m used to currently, and with not getting on this weeks golf betting as I didn’t resume running the portfolio until Thursday last week, it’s been pretty quiet. No lack of excitement however as Racing Intelligence got October to a flying start, including two 6/1 winners on the first of the month. Same can’t be said for Precision Value who couldn’t find a winner the days I was betting.
Bet Alchemist (100 point bank): Staked 5pts, +2pts
Golf Insider (400): n/a
PGA Profit (500): n/a
Precision Value (200): Staked 8pts, -8pts
Racing Intelligence (200): Staked 49pts, +42.3pts
Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 3pts, +0.018pts
Racing Service 2 (50): n/a
Total for October: ROI 52.5%, ROC 2.99%
