Interesting to read Northern Monkey’s April review (a month that has provided a small profit) in which he states: “I’ve mentioned a few times this month that April isn’t a month I expect to make any profit from and that is an expectation based on historical NMP performance”.

It’s interesting because it provokes thoughts of whether it might be best to follow certain tipsters at certain times and not at others.  I’ve always had the mindset that if I’m following a tipster, I’m really following him, in that I don’t consider not backing anything they ever put up at any time.  Having said that, I am very aware that Northern Monkey’s strengths lie in the main summer flat turf racing months (and Cheltenham).  This is where historically he made the majority of his overall profit.

I guess it’s a psychological thing with me.  FOMO (fear of missing out, for those not ‘down with the kids’ (!)) has largely guided my own policy of backing anything and everything a tipster puts up with the stake they tell me to back it with.  So April not a great month for NMP…but what if he gives an 18/1 winner and supports it with a larger stake than average, and I don’t back it?  This, from NMP…

” 2012 aside, which was a freak year skewed by having 1 pt EW on a 18/1 winner, Sugar Beet, April is usually a moderate month at best and has often been a losing month”.

Well, I’m sorry, but that 18/1 winner?  At the time, not sure I’d have dealt to well with not backing it because I’d decided April wasn’t the time to be supporting NMP’s tips.  Nope, for me, it’s all or nothing with a tipster.

FOMO…a terrible thing.

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 156pts, +24.272pts, roi 15.55%, roc 24.27%, High: 24.622pts, CDD: -0.35pts, Max DD: -9pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 184.875pts, +28.008pts, roi 15.14%, roc 28%, High: 36.837pts, CDD: -8.829pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 299pts, +3.779pts, roi 1.26%, roc 1.88%, High: 7.946pts, CDD: -4.167pts, Max DD: -24.834pts.

Racing Service 1 (50): Staked 29.5pts, +6.312pts, roi 21.39%, roc 12.62%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -6pts, Max DD: -8pts.

TOTAL: roi 12.15%, roc 16.69%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

It’s not been a great start to 2021 for Sports Service 1 who found themselves looking to claw back losses fairly early on in the piece.  At the odds ranges this was a process that was always going to take some time, but we seem to be making some progress.

Last week SS1 had four bets settled, and all four won.  The returns weren’t spectacular, but they do chisel away at the deficit, taking us another step closer to getting back to parity.  Of course the fickle nature of betting is such that next week might see us take another step back.  Let’s hope not, but either way what I have been impressed by with SS1 is a seemingly steadfast refusal to change strategy and/or approach and simply to carry on doing what has previously brought success.  It is when tipsters seem stung into changing their approach in the face of a drawdown that worries me.

Other than that, a pretty quiet week.  Sadly Scottish Football Income Booster couldn’t follow up on the previous weekend’s successes, taking a small step back, and The Poacher ended up more or less even for the week.

Onwards we go…

 Sports Service 1 (40pt bank): Staked 33pts, -4.214pts, roi -12.76%, roc -10.53%, High 0pts, CDD: -4.214pts, Max DD: -6.564pts.

Sports Service 2 (30): Staked 18.75pts, +7.295pts, roi 38.9%, roc 24.31%, High: 7.295pts, CDD: -0pts, Max DD: -0.7pts.

 Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 69pts, -5.51pts, roi -7.98%, roc -5.51%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -9.904pts, Max DD: -17.984pts.

 The Poacher (40): Staked 172.5pts, +17.514pts, roi 10.15%, roc 43.78%, High: 18.096pts, CDD: -0.582pts, Max DD: -9.645pts

This time last week we were wondrous in our praise of Weekly Golf Value’s feat of tipping two winners.  This week we have to report that they had a blank.  If anything sums up the ups and downs of betting, I guess this is it.  As WGV point out, the loss is only a small portion of last week’s winnings we’ve just handed back.

Golf Insider and PGA Profit each had one place, with that being enough for the latter to end up just the right side of the profit and loss line.  I had to have a wry smile however when I saw Garrick Higgo had won the European Tour event at 40/1.  PGA Profit is just starting to issue advice for the European golf but admits the process is not yet as refined as that for their main bread and butter which is the golf on the far side of the Pond.  I’m not yet backing these myself…wish I had now!

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 112pts, -28.735pts, roi -25.65%, roc -14.36%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -43.085pts, Max DD: -60.715pts

 PGA Profit (500): Staked 316pts, +105.23pts, roi 33.3%, roc 21.04%, High +178.5pts, CDD: -73.27pts, Max DD: -83.77pts

 Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 2,831pts, +1,678.81pts, roi 59.33%, roc 83.94%, High 1,928.81pts, CDD: -250pts, Max DD: -250pts.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

The three racing tipsters which have provided bets this last week all broke through into new highs for the year, so it’s happy days.  Admittedly, the total profit for Precision Value is not yet anything to shout about, but compared to where it was not that long ago, I’m happy enough.  To be honest, after last week saying I hoped PV was going to kick on after getting back on track, I was cursing at times as a string of losers seemed to be pushing the tide back out again.  But a fantastic day netted 11 points of profit and I was able to chill out somewhat.

Nothing spectacular for Racing Service 1 and Northern Monkey, but good steady progress made, which is exactly how I like it.  I can live without thrills and spills – perhaps I’m getting boring in my middle age! 🙂

So overall, the whole portfolio is performing really strongly.  Put the racing, sports and golfing tipsters together and I have an ROI of 22%!  Not sure how long that can last, but at this stage I can ask for nothing more.  Long may this run continue…

Racing Service 1 (100pts): Staked 146pts, +24.622pts, roi 16.86%, roc 24.62%, High: 24.622pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -9pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 174.375pts, +36.837pts, roi 21.12%, roc 36.83%, High: 36.837pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 271pts, +7.946pts, roi 2.93%, roc 3.97%, High: 7.946pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -24.834pts.

Racing Service 2 (50): Staked 29.5pts, +6.312pts, roi 21.39%, roc 12.62%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -6pts, Max DD: -8pts.

TOTAL: roi 15.16%, roc 19.51%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

Despite The Poacher ending only slightly up on the week, the sports portfolio as a whole had its best week of 2021 so far, pushing the ROI up to a high water mark of 8.53%.

Star of the Show was undoubtedly Scottish Football Income Booster who managed to hit a full house from five bets at the weekend.  The subsequent profit has made a huge dint on the losses that had accrued this year to that point.  We could do with more so that this service can gather some momentum.  Momentum that has been notably lacking recently.  A really strong end to the Scottish season would be most welcome.

Three winners from three for Sports Service 1 which has started the process of clawing back the losses previously encountered to this point.  And just one bet from Sports Service 2, but one which brought in two points of profit.  Never the most prolific, SS2 has been quietly amassing the profits this year, and now has generated almost 25% bank growth for the year to date.  The current ROI of 38.9% is clearly unsustainable so we must expect some sort of correction soon, but until then, let’s make hay.

Sports Service 1 (40pts): Staked 29pts, -5.334pts, roi -18.39%, roc -13.33%, High 0pts, CDD: -5.334pts, Max DD: -6.564pts.

Sports Service 2 (30): Staked 18.75pts, +7.295pts, roi 38.9%, roc 24.31%, High: 7.295pts, CDD: -0pts, Max DD: -0.7pts.

Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 66pts, -2.51pts, roi -3.8%, roc -2.51%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -6.904pts, Max DD: -17.984pts.

The Poacher (40): Staked 162.5pts, +18.096pts, roi 11.13%, roc 45.24%, High: 18.096pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -9.645pts

Sports Portfolio: ROI 8.53%, ROC 12.82%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

I’ve been betting “properly” for what must be nigh on 12/13 years.  Never before have I seen one service produce the likes of what Weekly Golf Value produced this week.  Seriously, I still can’t quite believe what happened.

Two golfing tournaments – two winners.  On the US Tour, the winner – Stewart Cink – powered into a big lead after three rounds and ended up winning without any real scare.  I had taken 100/1 instead of the advised 125s, but how many 100/1 shots have you backed that end up by winning to the horse racing equivalent of about ten lengths!?!

Not only that, but Chris Kirk ended up in the places for another healthy return at 60/1.  However, what preceded this was the winner of the European tour event, John Catlin.  For this one I was able to get half my stake on at 50s, the other half at 45/1.  Not only was this a winner, but to win the tournament Catlin had to win a play off…against another WGV pick Maximilian Kiefer who I’d backed at 110/1!  I mean, what?!?

With a third golfer finishing in the frame in Austria, the total profit for Weekly Golf Value exceeded even the wildest of expectations.  The only problem is, as I explained to a good mate of mine who is also into his golf betting, I’m now mentally preparing myself for a drastic losing run.  There’s absolutely no good reason for there to be one right now, but the thing about this game is that you can’t ever relax.

Just to add to all this jolly japes, Golf Insider also picked out Cink (45/1).  Usually a tipster picks a 45/1 winner, it’s headline news.  Not this week.

A break even week for PGA Profit who found a place too.

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 104pts, -23.035pts, roi -22.14%, roc -11.51%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -37.385pts, Max DD: -60.715pts

 PGA Profit (500): Staked 302pts, +104.73pts, roi 34.67%, roc 20.94%, High +178.5pts, CDD: -73.77pts, Max DD: -83.77pts

 Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 2,581pts, +1,928.81pts, roi 74.73%, roc 96.44%, High 1,928.81pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -93.25pts.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

The Grand National is always a take it or leave it race for me.  I’ve never been overly enthused by it.  It’s probably because I rarely seem to back the winner.  It’s also at a daft time of day in my traditional eyes.  But there we go – you don’t want to hear my moaning and whingeing.

It was no different this year in terms of not backing the winner.  In fact, over the meeting as a whole I managed to back a couple of winners, but nothing that will stick in the memory.  The three days proved to be something of a damp squib for Racing Service 1 with seven bets failing to provide a return as his season finished by fizzling out somewhat.

Nice to see Precision Value break back into positive territory after a long time languishing in the negative.  Let’s hope this time it can push on and get 2021 going properly.  With its regular turnover of bets, it can add so much to the day to day enjoyment of it all when in good form.

And so now all attention turns to the flat.  We’ve had the traditional season opener at Doncaster, and as I type the Newmarket meeting has begun which means Classic trials and a fairly quick gearing up to the season as a whole.  Bring on Ascot!

Bet Alchemist (100pts): Staked 132pts, +19.422pts, roi 14.71%, roc 19.42%, High: 24.135pts, CDD: -4.713pts, Max DD: -9pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 161.125pts, +33.582pts, roi 20.84%, roc 33.58%, High: 36.332pts, CDD: -2.75pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 247pts, +2.196pts, roi 0.88%, roc 1.09%, High: 5.989pts, CDD: -3.793pts, Max DD: -24.834pts.

Racing Service 1 (50): Staked 29.5pts, +6.312pts, roi 21.39%, roc 12.62%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -6pts, Max DD: -8pts.

TOTAL: roi 14.02%, roc 16.68%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

The Darts Premier League has started again, and has meant that last week Sports Service 2 sent out emails each day.  Clearly a lot of work was going into the research, as is the norm, and I must admit I felt a little sorry for them when the week’s total was totted up.  We had four bets, and ended dead level.  One winner at Evens, one loser, and two that returned stakes.  It’s better than losing of course, but still…

The good form continued for The Poacher and it is this plus SS2 that are doing a sterling job for the sports portfolio this year to date.  A strong end to the season from Scottish Football Income Booster would be most welcome, but as the days grow longer and (hopefully) the evenings warmer, we have to accept that the season will fairly soon be over.

As for Sports Service 1, for the first time I’m questioning the wisdom of my decision to bet equal stakes.  I made that decision based on previous performance history and from reading words from the tipster himself.  Something to ponder, although I’m loathe to change just yet.  Consistency is key, and all that.

Sports Service 1 (40pts): Staked 26pts, -6.564pts, roi -25.24%, roc -13.91%, High 0pts, CDD: -6.564pts, Max DD: -6.564pts.

Sports Service 2 (30): Staked 17.75pts, +5.295pts, roi 29.83%, roc 17.65%, High: 5.295pts, CDD: -0pts, Max DD: -0.7pts.

Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 57pts, -11.567pts, roi -20.29%, roc -11.56%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -15.921pts, Max DD: -17.984pts.

The Poacher (40): Staked 152.5pts, +17.747pts, roi 11.63%, roc 44.36%, High: 17.747pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -9.645pts

Sports Portfolio: ROI 5.79%, ROC 8.06%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

Heading into the final round last night and all the eyes in my household (well, mine anyway) were firmly fixed on Augusta debutant and Weekly Golf Value pick Will Zalatoris, lying in second place when his round started.  After two birdies over the first two holes, I was beginning to get a little excited, I don’t mind telling you, and when leader (and ultimate winner) Matsuyama dropped an early shot, well…

Unforunately, despite playing well, Zalatoris couldn’t ever quite get close enough, despite playing well.  Backed each way at 66/1 however, we picked up a nice place return.  Jon Rahm, although never positioned to win, had a storming final round to also ensure a place return and an overall profit on the week for WGV, but frustratingly, Bryan Harman dropped a shot at the 17th, and in the process dropped himself out of the finishing frame and a return.  The frustration was doubled knowing he was also a pick for PGA Profit.

The latter service also generated a profit over the week by picking Patrick Reed and gaining a place return in addition to Harman.  Sadly, it was a blank for Golf Insider although I placed only the Outright tournament bets, deciding to leave the First Round Leader and group picks.  From what I can gather, I believe that ultimately saved me some points, so all good there.

Golf Insider (200pts bank): Staked 95pts, -42.035pts, roi -44.24%, roc -21.01%, High 14.95pts, CDD: -60.715pts, Max DD: -60.715pts

 PGA Profit (500): Staked 280.5pts, +104.93pts, roi 37.4%, roc 20.98%, High +178.5pts, CDD: -73.57pts, Max DD: -83.77pts

 Weekly Golf Value (1,000): 2,465pts, +1,333.69pts, roi 54.1%, roc 66.68%, High 1,336.09pts, CDD: -6.6pts, Max DD: -93.25pts.

Golf portfolio: ROI 38.08%, ROC 33.33%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

There really is very little to report on from this past week’s betting on the nags.  I guess it’s the nature of the beast when it comes to blogging, but when things are just ticking over nicely, there’s not a great deal to comment on.

And that is where we are at presently…ticking along nicely.  The most remarkable thing to happen has been a good run of results for Precision Value which has eaten nicely into its drawdown, getting us close to being in positive territory for the year.

Things should get a lot more interesting from tomorrow when the Grand National meeting at Aintree begins.  Always a slight feeling of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ I feel, when only a couple of weeks or so ago we had Cheltenham.  But the quality of racing is high, and after a race or two to warm up, I tend to end up really enjoying the meeting.

Let’s hope it’s a good one.

Bet Alchemist: Staked 110pts, +18.81pts, roi 17.1%, roc 18.81%, High: 24.135pts, CDD: -5.325pts, Max DD: -9pts.

Northern Monkey: Staked 140.5pts, +30.218pts, roi 21.5%, roc 30.21%, High: 30.218pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value:  Staked 219pts, -2.262pts, roi -1.03%, roc -1.13%, High: 5.989pts, CDD: -8.251pts, Max DD: -24.834pts.

Racing Service 1: Staked 22.5pts, +9.812pts, roi 43.6%, roc 19.62%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -2.5pts, Max DD: -8pts

Racing Portfolio: ROI 16.46%, ROC 16.88%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown