I thought I’d write a few facts and sentences on each service to bring followers of the Bet Diary up to date and to be clear as to how I’m following each service and why. An quick overview, if you like.
Racing Service 1: 100 point bank – part of the ‘Main’ portfolio – followed using online bookmakers. Originally an independent service that made into the SBC’s ‘Hall of Fame’, RS1 is now an SBC Premium service, with a special discounted deal for SBC members. The methodology hasn’t changed at all, targeting as it has done since inception, the larger race meetings. This means that I’m placing the sort of bets that don’t attract quite so much attention from the bookmaker’s trading teams, ie. betting in strong and popular markets. Odds hold up well too, for the same reason, and even betting the night before racing is possible – doing so in a Heritage Handicap at Ascot isn’t quite the same as if jumping on the best overnight price available in a tiny novice hurdle at Plumpton.
Racing Service 2: 200 point bank – part of the ‘Main’ portfolio – online bookmakers. Much of what I’ve just said about RS1 can be repeated for RS2. The types of races targeted and the ease with which I can get on without odds collapsing first is why I added it to the portfolio following the review in the latest SBC Betting Magazine. Real ‘Hall of Fame’ potential, comprehensive write-ups and race analysis that are enjoyable to read, and a strong historical record made the decision to introduce RS2 as a service to follow a pretty straightforward one.
MVS (Lite): 100 point bank – part of the ‘Main’ portfolio – online bookmakers. A derivative of the long-running Morning Value Service this concentrates exclusively on horses identified as holding value despite being at or towards the head of the market. Backing selections at prices up to 3/1 only, this is again a ‘bookmaker friendly’ service (are you spotting the trend yet?). The bets are released at a time when markets have had time to mature some, and sticking your money on a favourite mid-morning or mid-late afternoon when the bets are released really shouldn’t attract too much scrutiny.
Northern Monkey: 80 point bank – part of the ‘Main’ portfolio – online bookmakers. The longest-serving service in terms of my own portfolio, I’ve been following NMP for more years than I care to remember. The official odds are easily beatable, the track record is long and strong, and this service is the equivalent of a really comfy pair of slippers. There have been flat and barren times, but as soon as you get to the point of wondering if perhaps the edge is eroding, a few winners are knocked in and on we go.
Racing Service 3: 60 point bank – part of the ‘Main’ portfolio – online bookmakers. A service as much for the jump racing enthusiast as the serious investor, RS3 sadly operates only between the months of November and April, each season ending with the Grand National meeting at Aintree. This is such a shame as the write-ups are informative and educational and I’d love it to run all year round. Still, if by taking a break things remain fresh (not least the tipster himself) then so be it. As soon as the nights start to draw in at the end of summer, I know it’s not too long for the start of the next RS3 season, and all is well with the world.
Racing Service 4: 140 point bank – part of the ‘Main’ portfolio – online bookmakers. A tremendously talented tipster from over the Irish Sea, RS4 is another who lets you know exactly why you’re putting your money down on each selection. Often accruing profit in spurts, when hot, this guy is hot! A long-term ‘Hall of Famer’, a real keystone of the portfolio.
Next week we’ll cover the sports services.
Portfolio performance from 1st May – Sunday 12th May
A small loss on the week with only Football Service 2 performing with credit. To be fair, Football Service 1 had a decent enough week but this was very much needed after last week’s disaster. The racing proved to be particularly tricky with the main Chester spring meeting proving impossible as the heavens opened on a regular basis and the ground became a quagmire.
‘Main’ portfolio: ROI -1.58%, ROC -0.64%.
‘Broxchange’ portfolio (Football Lay Profits, Football Service 1, Golf Insider): ROI -14.18%, ROC -6.78%
Individual Service Performance
Racing Service 1: Staked 30pts, +15.062pts.
Racing Service 2: Staked 28pts, -1.9pts.
Football Lay Profits: Staked 127.8pts, +5.09pts.
Football Service 1: Staked 21pts, -6.662pts
Golf Insider: Staked 35.5pts, -22pts.
MVS: Staked 30pts, -9.62pts.
Northern Monkey: Staked 28.125pts, +13.967pts.
Football Service 2: Staked 15pts, +2.338pts.
Racing Service 3: n/a
Racing Service 4: Staked 45.5pts, -16.75pts.
