Simon Nott's tribute to on-course bookmaker Brian Edwards in this month's Racing Ahead brought back a couple of memories. Brian, who traded as George Edwards Plymouth, died on 17th July after a long struggle with cancer. I struck a few bets with Brian at Newton Abbot and Devon & Exeter back in the early nineties, a time when I was green enough to think I might come out on top...
In particular I recall going to Newton Abbot one fine spring evening to back a horse called Biloxi Blues in the handicap chase. The grey had decent form in the book and, at a time when Mark Coton's Value Betting was all the rage, I thought I'd stumbled on a value bet and a bit more as the daily papers reported the price as 6/1. Finishing work early, I drove to the course but was more than a little dismayed to see the bookies open with Biloxi at 6/4. The price soon began to contract so, making the best of a bad job, I walked up to Brian and asked for a fiver at 11/8. Quick as a flash, he reported 7/5 to his clerk and I walked away, not quite sure whether I'd been done or not.
The race itself proved rather eventful... Dean Gallagher decided to try and make all on outsider Wimbleball and he quickly built up a lead of twenty lengths or so. Despite hitting a couple of fences fairly hard, Wimbleball was clearly enjoying himself and his lead was still intact halfway down the back straight second time around before Richard Dunwoody decided it was time to play catch-up on Biloxi. Wimbleball wasn't for stopping and had the race in the bag coming to the last but he took one last liberty with that last fence and came crashing to the ground; Dunwoody carried out a nifty piece of steering, jumped the obstacle safely and 5/4 favourite Biloxi Blues collected the spoils. Brian's face told its own story immediately after the race; a couple of punters looking to collect before the winning jockey had dismounted were given short shrift.
Some 15 years later I was at Exeter with two brothers-in-law for the 2004 New Year's Day meeting. We hadn't been that successful but my companions had compensated by indulging in several of their favourite beverages. Waiting for the free bus home, my colleagues asked for an opinion on the concluding bumper. Philip Hobbs' Supreme Serenade was odds-on but I ventured they might want to consider opposing with Paul Nicholls' Alexanderthegreat; this conversation took place outside a couple of ptiches, one of which belonged to Brian. Brian appeared to be in conversation with his fellow layer but as soon as he heard me mention Alexanderthegreat, he immediately marked the horse out from 5/1 to 11/2. I started to smile but these subtle nuances escaped my inebriated colleagues who then demanded an explanation. I tried but it was proving hard work and at the end of it all one brother-in-law walks straight up to the layer offering 5/1 and strikes his bet...
In the event, Nicky Henderson's Copsale Lad (3/1) won impressively from Alexanderthegreat. Copsale Lad did me a couple of favours after that and some three years later popped up at Newbury at odds of 14/1. Unfortunately on that occasion I'd bid more than I should have for a day at the races with The Times' Alan Lee and he'd tipped me the second, Minella Tipperary...
R.I.P. Brian Edwards.
Showing posts with label bookmaker. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bookmaker. Show all posts
Sunday, September 04, 2011
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Sunday evening drivel...
Following his impressive win in yesterday's Elite Hurdle at Wincanton, this evening Celestial Halo is as low as 6/1 with Betfred for the Champion Hurdle next March - William Hill go 9/1. Earlier today Big Zeb won with any amount in hand at Navan; Totesport now offer a miserly 4/1 about the horse for the Champion Chase, Ladbrokes 8/1.
This time of year I tend to wander into a bookmaker's shop during my lunch hour, not because I think I might be able to back a winner you understand, but because the chances are I can watch the odd jumps race. A couple of things I noticed last week - Ladbrokes are now displaying Timeform ratings in their shops while at William Hill's city centre outlet in Coventry the Press Association's Daily Form Guide was available on touchscreens sited around the office.
The small ads in Private Eye have always been a favourite on mine (those labelled Eye Bet used to be of particular interest). In a previous life I also regularly scoured the Eye Need column in the vain hope that it might provide a small spark of inspiration as to how to make an awful lot of money without expending too much energy... Of course, in those days I happened to be a lot younger. And whatever happened to Major Bonkers?
Finally, I know on occasions the tips may leave something to be desired, so I thought I'd try to do you a favour by pointing out that First Quench Retailing has gone into administration. This company owns the Threshers and Wine Rack off-licences. Quoting from Saturday's Times: 'The fuse was lit last night on the biggest high street firesale since since the collapse of Woolworths...' If you keep your eyes peeled, you may pick up the odd booze bargain with Christmas just around the corner...
This time of year I tend to wander into a bookmaker's shop during my lunch hour, not because I think I might be able to back a winner you understand, but because the chances are I can watch the odd jumps race. A couple of things I noticed last week - Ladbrokes are now displaying Timeform ratings in their shops while at William Hill's city centre outlet in Coventry the Press Association's Daily Form Guide was available on touchscreens sited around the office.
The small ads in Private Eye have always been a favourite on mine (those labelled Eye Bet used to be of particular interest). In a previous life I also regularly scoured the Eye Need column in the vain hope that it might provide a small spark of inspiration as to how to make an awful lot of money without expending too much energy... Of course, in those days I happened to be a lot younger. And whatever happened to Major Bonkers?
Finally, I know on occasions the tips may leave something to be desired, so I thought I'd try to do you a favour by pointing out that First Quench Retailing has gone into administration. This company owns the Threshers and Wine Rack off-licences. Quoting from Saturday's Times: 'The fuse was lit last night on the biggest high street firesale since since the collapse of Woolworths...' If you keep your eyes peeled, you may pick up the odd booze bargain with Christmas just around the corner...
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Some press cuttings...
The well-named Gee Dee took the opener at Market Rasen this afternoon; needless to say, I didn't have a penny on.
Sir Peter O'Sullevan, 'The Voice of Racing', celebrates his 90th birthday tomorrow. Earlier today I browsed through my copy of his 'Calling The Horses' (published in 1989) and admired some of the photos. Like many I suspect, the two horses I always associate with this master of understatement are Be Friendly and Attivo.
Those perturbed by Mr Pointment's disappointing effort in The Grimthorpe yesterday will be relieved to learn that wasn't the horse's true running - he broke a blood vessel during the race. Skybet are out on a limb by offering Mr P. at 25/1 for the Aintree marathon.
Cheltenham is just over a week away and bookmakers are queuing up to tempt you with their free bet offers. Before diving in, it may be worth noting The Times' report that TV advertising has helped Ladbrokes to a 46% increase in profits. The majority of bookies now go non-runner no bet on Festival races but it's always worth confirming the fact. This year, as yet, I haven't seen Raceform Update's Guide to the Cheltenham Festival on our newstands. As soon as it appears I shall purchase a copy - if you only buy one Festival preview publication, this has to be the one.
Finally, off-topic I know but I couldn't resist, I'm going to suggest that the Conservative peer who recently branded nurses 'grubby, drunken and promiscuous' has probably been watching too many epsiodes of Casualty on a Saturday night...
Sir Peter O'Sullevan, 'The Voice of Racing', celebrates his 90th birthday tomorrow. Earlier today I browsed through my copy of his 'Calling The Horses' (published in 1989) and admired some of the photos. Like many I suspect, the two horses I always associate with this master of understatement are Be Friendly and Attivo.
Those perturbed by Mr Pointment's disappointing effort in The Grimthorpe yesterday will be relieved to learn that wasn't the horse's true running - he broke a blood vessel during the race. Skybet are out on a limb by offering Mr P. at 25/1 for the Aintree marathon.
Cheltenham is just over a week away and bookmakers are queuing up to tempt you with their free bet offers. Before diving in, it may be worth noting The Times' report that TV advertising has helped Ladbrokes to a 46% increase in profits. The majority of bookies now go non-runner no bet on Festival races but it's always worth confirming the fact. This year, as yet, I haven't seen Raceform Update's Guide to the Cheltenham Festival on our newstands. As soon as it appears I shall purchase a copy - if you only buy one Festival preview publication, this has to be the one.
Finally, off-topic I know but I couldn't resist, I'm going to suggest that the Conservative peer who recently branded nurses 'grubby, drunken and promiscuous' has probably been watching too many epsiodes of Casualty on a Saturday night...
Monday, February 26, 2007
Armed raid on Gloucester bookmaker
Punters placing their Saturday afternoon bets at David James' betting shop in Oxford Street, Gloucester, got a little more excitement than they bargained for when two masked men raided the premises.
The men made their escape with an undisclosed amount of money. Further details at:
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