The Racing portfolio, for the second consecutive week, has pushed on to a new profit high for the year.  This last week that has been solely down to the efforts of Bet Alchemist, which had three days to remember from Friday through to Sunday.  Well, actually two days – Friday and Sunday, with Saturday just falling short of a break even day.  Winners at big prices meant good times, and Bet Alchemist itself has hit a new high note for 2021.

Despite an incredibly busy Saturday – which brought in some profit – Northern Monkey dropped a point over the week as a whole, and Precision Value also came out just the wrong side of the profit and loss line.  Overall though, I’m really happy with how the racing portfolio is performing.  There are plenty of bets without there being too many, and the profit is coming in regularly.  Long may it continue.

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 267pts, +44.005pts, roi 16.48%, roc 44%, High: 44.005pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -25.65pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 301.625pts, +47.321pts, roi 15.68%, roc 47.32%, High: 48.659pts, CDD: -1.338pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 503pts, +36.861pts, roi 7.32%, roc 18.43%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: -19.125pts, 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.

Racing Totals: ROI 13.92%, ROC 30.59%

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

A losing week this week, and the Sports portfolio as a whole now is beginning to struggle.  The ROI at 2.88% is clearly below the target 5%, but not worryingly so.  A couple of decent weeks and that will rise.  I think the bigger issue is the relative lack of bank growth.  We’re halfway through the year, and the ROC stands at 6.41%.

I am aware that the turnover for Sports Service 1 will always be low (and we’ve not had a bet for a month, now), but add this to the lack of progress this year from Sports Service 2 and the poor second half of the football season from Scottish Football Income Booster, and overall the rate of bank growth is below where I want it to be at this stage.

At the moment I’m relying for bets largely on The Poacher, and last week at the Euros was a disappointing one.  Let’s get things in the correct context – we only dropped a little over three points.  Nothing in the grand scale of things, but enough to cause a little frustration in the overall scheme of things due to the reasons above.

Let’s hope we can kick on a bit this week…

Sports Service 1 (30pt bank): Staked 21.75pts, +6.885pts, roi 31.51%, roc 22.95%, High: 7.295pts, CDD: -0.41pts, Max DD: -1pts.

Sports Service 2 (40): Staked 61pts, -5.544pts, roi -9.08%, roc -13.86%, High 0pts, CDD: -5.544pts, Max DD: -6.734pts.

Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 88pts, -12.337pts, roi -14.04%, roc -12.33%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -16.731pts, Max DD: -17.984pts.

 The Poacher (40): Staked 233pts, +12.476pts, roi 5.35%, roc 31.19%, High: 19.068pts, CDD: -6.592pts, Max DD: -9.645pts

Sports Totals: ROI 2.88%, ROC 6.41%

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

A bit of a nothing week, really, for the golf.  The two small amounts of profit made by PGA Profit and Weekly Golf Value countered the wipe out losses from Golf Insider.  A losing week in all, but not by too much.

It’s feels it’s been a while since Golf Insider had an Outright winner.  This is clearly one of those spells we all talk about when we describe what following a golf tipster is like.  It’s now, when we’re on a bit of a quiet run, that we need to remind ourselves, and then remind ourselves again, that we must be patient and that the big winners will come.  We don’t know when, but they will.

PGA Profit got a couple to place over in the States, and WGV got four in the frame across the two tours.  Ladbrokes actually allowed me to ‘Boost’ the odds on one of those to finish in the frame, so my results are marginally better than the officially advised.  Always nice.

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 189pts, -36.834pts, roi -19.48%, roc -18.41%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -51.184pts, Max DD: -60.715pts

PGA Profit (500): Staked 468.5pts, +92.73pts, roi 19.79%, roc 18.54%, High +178.5pts, CDD: -85.77pts, Max DD: -115.77pts

Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 3,992pts, +1,843.96pts, roi 46.19%, roc 92.19%, High 1,928.81pts, CDD: -84.85pts, Max DD: -461.8pts.

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

I took the weekend off.  Not deliberately.  Managed to oversleep on Saturday morning, dashed through the shower, gulped down some Cheerios (other breakfast cereals are available), and just about got to u9 cricket training in time.  Then straight off to the Wirral, which is bloomin’ miles away, to play.  Got home late (100 mile round journey!), grabbed fish and chips on the way, dumped the car, walked to the Club, drank too much beer, dragged myself home and slumped into bed.  Woke up Sunday morning – late – and thought, you know what, I’m taking some time to breathe.  There are times when you just need to pause and chill a wee bit.  Ended up having lunch out with the missus…realised I should have kept it to normal! (I joke).

Anyway, who knows how the tipsters did?  I don’t.  I was happy with their relative performances at Royal Ascot through the week, where some decent profits were had by Bet Alchemist and Northern Monkey.  It wasn’t quite Cheltenham level of profiteering, but every little helps, does it not?  All told then, we’ve reached a new year to date high for Northern Monkey, and likewise with the Racing portfolio as a whole.

If that’s not a good time to unwind a touch, then I don’t know what is.

Bet Alchemist (100pts): Staked 251pts, +29.58pts, roi 11.78%, roc 29.58%, High: 42.58pts, CDD: -13pts, Max DD: -25.65pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 280.625pts, +48.659pts, roi 17.33%, roc 48.65%, High: 48.659pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 482pts, +37.361pts, roi 7.75%, roc 18.68%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: -18.625pts, 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.

Racing Totals: ROI 13.17%, ROC 27.38%

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

Just Sports Service 2 and The Poacher in action over the last week, with no action for Sports Service 1 to get stuck into.

A nice enough profit for SS2, with four winners coming from five bets.  It was nice too, to back (successfully) a slightly longer odds selection and ultimately this pick winning meant a profit as opposed to a break even week.  We continue to slowly erode the losses.

Busyish times for The Poacher, with the Euros now fully up and running.  I’ve seen very little football to be honest and with one thing or another, haven’t seen anything yet of England.  From the reports I’ve read we seem to be drably efficient.  Seems a shame as to my untutored eye, it looks like we have plenty of flair players available who aren’t being played or allowed to express themselves.  My favourite England team remains the one at the Euros in 1996 – attractive to watch (still remember that game when they smashed Holland) and glorious late penalty kick failure that always seems almost comfortably inevitable.  Ah, those were the days…

Sports Service 1 (30pt bank): Staked 21.75pts, +6.885pts, roi 31.51%, roc 22.95%, High: 7.295pts, CDD: -0.41pts, Max DD: -1pts.

 Sports Service 2 (40): Staked 59pts, -5.044pts, roi -8.54%, roc -12.61%, High 0pts, CDD: -5.044pts, Max DD: -6.734pts.

 Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 88pts, -12.337pts, roi -14.04%, roc -12.33%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -16.731pts, Max DD: -17.984pts.

 The Poacher (40): Staked 226.5pts, +15.776pts, roi 6.96%, roc 39.44%, High: 19.068pts, CDD: -3.292pts, Max DD: -9.645pts

Sports Totals: ROI 4.05%, ROC 8.78%.

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

The US Open last week felt rather like the one that got away, with all three golfing services justifiably frustrated not to land a big return by picking the outright winner.  I guess when the leaderboard is so closely packed, as it was going into and halfway through the last round, it is likely that we’ll have players in strong contention.  That was certainly the case but unfortunately, this week it wasn’t to be.  I can hardly complain mind you.  Not with the luck I’ve had betting on golf in recent times and the returns I’ve made.

First up, Golf Insider, who had both Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa bang there in contention.  The thing was, was that the back nine was playing really tough with plenty of players dropping a lot of shots.  Koepka dropped two over the closing three holes, and Morikawa three over the last nine which  meant both went from threatening strongly to win to each finishing in a tie for 4th.  A quick nod to the other bets (First Round leader and a three ball) that had I backed, would have resulted in profit.  I didn’t.  Overall then, a small profit.

Essentially break even for PGA Profit but Louis Oosthuizen looked a very likely winner halfway through the final round and indeed going into the final two holes.  However, eventual winner Jon Rahm holed two monster putts on the 17th and 18th whilst Oosthuizen, having played so beautifully, hit a drive off the 17th that put him in real trouble, and ultimately that cost him a chance of at least a play off.  So close.

And finally, and very frustratingly, Weekly Golf Value had big hitting Bryce DeChambeau who at one point on Sunday was two shots in the lead.  However, a horrific back nine not only prevented him from winning, but dropped him right out of a place return, with a quadruple (yes, quadruple!) bogey on the 17th.  Muppet.

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 179pts, -26.834pts, roi -14.99%, roc -13.41%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -421.184pts, Max DD: -60.715pts

 PGA Profit (500): Staked 444pts, +90.73pts, roi 20.43%, roc 18.14%, High +178.5pts, CDD: -87.77pts, Max DD: -115.77pts

 Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 3,843pts, +1,831.99pts, roi 47.67%, roc 91.59%, High 1,928.81pts, CDD: -96.82pts, Max DD: -461.8pts.

Golf Totals: ROI 33.4%, ROC 46.98%

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

The Racing portfolio has been cantering along over recent times, but all good things and winning runs must come to an end.  This past week has been more a grinding halt than a gentle slow down and stop; an emergency stop as opposed to a reverse park for any learner drivers out there!

The current losing run of Bet Alchemist has hit the 25% of bank mark which to my mind, makes it a significant drawdown.  Not one to worry about yet – I wait for 50% before getting anxious – but enough to hope that it is going to come to an end sooner rather than later.

As for Precision Value, well, for all the recent excellent form, last week was a shocker as over 15 points were dropped.  Not such a drastic loss for Northern Monkey, but a loss nonetheless.  Let’s not get too down though, eh.  The bigger picture still looks fairly rosy.

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 235pts, +16.93pts, roi 7.2%, roc 16.93%, High: 42.58pts, CDD: -25.65pts, Max DD: -25.65pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 264.875pts, +38.811pts, roi 14.65%, roc 38.81%, High: 41.124pts, CDD: -2.313pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 464pts, +40.361pts, roi 8.69%, roc 20.18%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: -15.625pts, 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

Racing Totals: ROI 11.19%, ROC 22.13%.

I was playing cricket when Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest.  I’ve not watched it since, finding the fact that television images were shown live of a human being fighting for his life more than a little tactless.  I’ve heard some say that watching a first response team act in the way they did was a good thing in that it showed people how to react and execute CPR should they ever find themselves in a situation where someone they know needs it.  I’m not convinced by that argument, but I see the point has some merit.  As for showing Eriksen’s partner in obvious distress however, well, that’s beyond excuse.

All of this of course has overshadowed the fact that “Euro 2020” has actually gotten underway. A year late it may be, but what is it that is said about being better late than never?  I’m very much hoping it is going to provide some serious betting action for The Poacher because at the moment, the Sports portfolio seems to be in something of a state of stasis.

No bets again last week from Sports Service 1, and none of course from the out of season Scottish Football Income Booster.  Just two wagers from Sports Service 2 – a win and a loss for a tiny overall deficit – and to date just two covering the Euros from The Poacher, which has got off to a good start with two winners.  Let’s hope this will be the start of a good month of football betting.

Sports Service 1 (30pt bank): Staked 21.75pts, +6.885pts, roi 31.51%, roc 22.95%, High: 7.295pts, CDD: -0.41pts, Max DD: -1pts.

Sports Service 2 (40): Staked 54pts, -6.644pts, roi -12.3%, roc -16.61%, High 0pts, CDD: -6.644pts, Max DD: -6.734pts.

 Scottish Football Bets (100): Staked 88pts, -12.337pts, roi -14.04%, roc -12.33%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -16.731pts, Max DD: -17.984pts.

 The Poacher (40/£25): Staked 220.5pts, +15.514pts, roi 7.03%, roc 38.78%, High: 19.068pts, CDD: -3.554pts, Max DD: -9.645pts

Sports Totals: ROI 3.63%, ROC 7.62%

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

Well, well, well.  Just a few weeks after grabbing a 1-2 in the Austrian Open in April, Weekly Golf Value has been at it again.  Again on the European Tour (not a return to be seen over in the States this week), Jonathan Caldwell tipped up at 125/1 won the tournament, whilst Adrian Otaegui followed him up in second.

This really is quite remarkable tipping.  Clearly WGV is overperforming so far this year, as surely such a rate of return can’t be maintained.  So let’s enjoy this hottest of hot streaks for what it is whilst it lasts.  I’m certainly not nit-picking, but I was only able to get 45s against Otaegui compared to the advised 55s so my place return was a little lower than many followers will have secured.

No return for Golf Insider or PGA Profit but both will be looking forward this coming week to the next major, the US Open.

I can’t wait.

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 175pts, -28.134pts, roi -16.17%, roc -14.06%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -42.484pts, Max DD: -60.715pts

 PGA Profit (500): Staked 421pts, +91.73pts, roi 21.78%, roc 18.34%, High +178.5pts, CDD: -86.77pts, Max DD: -115.77pts

 Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 3,753pts, +1,873.24pts, roi 49.91%, roc 93.66%, High 1,928.81pts, CDD: -55.57pts, Max DD: -461.8pts.

Golf Totals: ROI 35.02%, ROC 47.9%.

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

The first quarter (or thereabouts) of 2021 was a tricky period for Precision Value.  At one point it reached a drawdown figure of almost 25 points.  In the context of a 200 point bank, that is not a disaster of course, but when you’re backing at relatively short odds the day to day grind during a losing spell can be a testing time.  It’s easy to feel that you’re never going to get things back on the right side of the profit curve.  However, PV has proven that by persevering, a good service will come back strong, and after a superb week in which almost 16 points of profit was bagged, it now stands on a year to date high of +55.9 points and is running at an ROI of 12.8%.  That’s a little above the long term average which tends to hover around the 9-10% mark, so I guess we’re due a wee correction the other way at some point.

Northern Monkey is another to reach a YTD high last week after a solid performance.  It was nearly an explosive one as a (small) each way double hit a 13/2 winner alongside a 50/1 shot that finished….second!  To be fair, the latter was fairy comfortably beaten.  This wasn’t one of those where you miss out on a big payday by a nose or something, but still.  Well played that man!

Heading in the opposite direction at present is Bet Alchemist which has extended its recent losing run.  Whilst on the subject of BA – I’ve had a couple of queries from readers saying my figures far exceed theirs.  Is there a strategy I’m using?  The answer is no, but this is a point I’ve made a number of times previously within the Bet Diary but it’s possibly time to make the point again…

The Bet Diary reflects my betting.  It isn’t to be taken as a pinpoint accurate reflection of what everyone will get following the same services.  I miss bets, some I get BOG on (and I know I’ve benefited from that this year with a Bet Alchemist win), there are days when I can’t bet at all (or chose not to, perhaps if I’ve a family thing on), I don’t bet when I’m on holiday and so will miss weeks at a time, etc.  Last year I had a tipster write to me to say that I’d underdone the profit he’d made by about 25%, so it works both ways.  There was also a golf winner I missed t a big price, so my end of year figures for that service were notably lower than the official service results.  Please do remember this.  The Bet Diary reflects what I feel is a more real life experience.  Unless you bet for a living and devote every day to it, how many of us can get on every bet?  I’m afraid I can’t, and therefore there will be times when you might be following the same service as one I do, and be thinking either hang on, Rowan’s not doing as well as I am, or alternatively, how has he netted more profit than I have?

Hope all that makes sense.  See you next week,

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 228pts, +21.205pts, roi 9.3%, roc 21.2%, High: 42.58pts, CDD: -21.375pts, Max DD: -21.375pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 256.75pts, +41.124pts, roi 16.01%, roc 41.12%, High: 41.124pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -27.028pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 437pts, +55.986pts, roi 12.81%, roc 27.99%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: 0pts, 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.

Racing Totals: ROI 13.91%, ROC 26.52%

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