*** Bookmaker sympathy alert*** We start the night before the morning after.
A bookmaker's New Years Eve revolves around the timing of the alarm call the next morning (6:45am) the amount of alcohol you restrict yourself to (not loads) so you don't have to work with a hangover and when you stop drinking to ensure you don't have any in your system the next morning when your driving (largely irrelevant given you don't drink much but 9:15pm for completeness). 6:45 was still a bit of a nasty shock though.
On track for 9:45 and Steve went in search of a coffee and bacon roll in order to avoid building up/ensuring he was sufficiently fuelled for the day ahead. He got them as well. He also went to scout the new betting areas before being politely told he was wasting his time and they'd be gone 8 picks before us (we're pick 9...). We eventually plumped for a pick on the lawn, and hoped the weather forecast was right, and a pick in the ring next to our friends, Racing St George, in the back corner. Pretty team on lawn, pro team in the ring.
The Pro Team suffered an early malfunction with no charge to the laptop. If only someone had put a massive white sticker on the battery saying "laptop only" on the charging port. The Pretty Team ploughed on.
1) We don't bet to opinion but, if we (usually Steve) like something we won't chase it either and Bringbackmemories fitted that particular bill here. And he (and we) got off to a flying start- 4 losers (Cabrakan, Paddy's Fancy, Duyfken and Jad Mahal) with Cabrakan fitting the title of the blog as the money came in relentlessly. We stood 5 of the bottom 6 in the market in the each way market for decent chunks as well and got a small reward as only one of them placed. Our recent winter run has been as nice as it has been unexpected and continued here.
2) Cosmic Outlaw was the Only One here with another max in the book. 3 more bogeys of varying amounts with Lastofthecosmics making it double Cosmic trouble for us plus Dolly Dancer and Wonderoftheworld rounding out the losers. Lock Down Luke was, perhaps fittingly, a bore draw. Brandy McQueen was another we were happy to lay at the right price but we didn't chase it at all costs and another solid win was eked out.
3) Coopers Cross was this race's Charlatans tribute horse and we had it for the max early and it never looked like it would be anything else. Half Shot for half max plus Gold Des Bois for similar were the other losers. Another favourite (Minella Drama) triumphed and, fortunately, we were just on the right side of this one as well. Nothing spectacular here but a move forward. We continued to stand the bottom of the market for plenty in the places and got a cracking each way bonus when none of them threatened.
4) Half way through already and another bingo book with 3 liabilities at the top of the market (Everyday Champagne, Warriors Story and Shanbally Rose) plus a tiddler on Thunder In Milan. Favourites continued to be difficult to lay and this was no exception and was the 4th jolly in a row that was running for us (traditional books look away now). Large Action was a very nice win but the 2nd horse, Dr Shirocco was a jackpot and the 3rd was a jackpot+++ We're never happy.
5) Al Zaraqaan was every other bet we took and was always going to be a max liability- this time along with 3rd favourite First Impression. Another jolly onside which was becoming a habit. This time we did hit the jackpot with our bogeys beaten early and the best result in the book (Nayati) was cheered home by all who carry out the noble art of bookmaking. Relative silence in the stands...
6) And we were 6 for 6 in the CairnBet Unlaid Favourite Stakes as we couldn't get Benson in, though again we didn't chase too hard as Steve liked it and felt that Benson would go well over hedges. You're ever so welcome, if you're over 40, and ever so befuddled if you're not. Absolute max on another race where crowdthink prevailed, this time on Holmes St Georges, though Elvis Mail also popular. Both beaten and we got another lovely win on the aforementioned Benson.
Those that read our blogs regularly will know that we've had one or two meetings recently where we have won ok but the results suggested we should win more. On those days we must remember this type of meeting where we fail to lay the favourites and then dodge the bullet when it wins. Swings and roundabouts.
Few weeks off now until, probably, Kelso mid January. Kevin is on a cruise I believe so it'll be the Andy/Steve Dream Team Until then...
Happy New Year!
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