SIMON NOTT: EPSOM Friday Betting Report

Much to the disappointment of his many twitter fans, boss Ben was on the missing list for the Oaks. As he galvanised himself at home for the onslaught at tomorrow night’s Greyhound Derby.

ANDREW BEFORE RACING

2:00 Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes

Head of on-course operations Andrew and his team got cracking on the opening Investec Woodcote Stakes but takings on the rail were meagre, the biggest single bet just £200 on Marie’s Diamond at 5/2.

It’s a bit Sod’s Law that 10/1 ‘result’ Cosmic Law won the race when there was relatively little in the hod but at least we kept it. Prior to the race my popular recent interviewee Jeremy Chapman and his wife came to say hello, which was lovely. (Interview with Jeremy Chapman CLICK HERE)

2:35 Investec Click & Invest Mile Handicap

The Investec Click and Invest Mile Handicap Stakes was a competitive heat.

Flynn learning the on-course ropes was in position on the rail taking bets but lumps weren’t expected betting 4/1 the field.

That 4/1 King’s Pavilion hit 5/1 before that price was clipped as the field were going down.

That clip developed into a gallop – 7/2 the best price on offer on the rail at the off. There had been a little nibble for Medburn Dream from 6/1 into 5/1 which proved justified when the gelding won the race from Mythical Madness with the jolly back in third, taking the book. A few punters were in quickly to draw, shrewd judges as it wasn’t long before the ‘bing bong’ for a steward’s enquiry.

It was a formality, the first past the post kept the race, level in the book.

3:10 Investec Coronation Cup (Group 1)

If there were going to be any lumpy bets on the day the first race to expect them would be the Investec Coronation Cup with Cracksman opening 1/3.

Andrew also offered betting without, with Hawkbill topping that market at 5/4.

We found a couple of punters, though compared to the business at Towcester and the Greyhound Derby heats (bets of £1000-£3000 and a monkey at 3/10 )they were still quite modest given the prestige of the event.

The office called as the horses were being loaded they’d laid £30,000 – £100,000.

Turning Tattenham Corner the jolly looked in trouble as 33/1 shot Salouen was going well in front, if anything it looked rosier at the furlong pole, evidently at least two rails layers thought it was all over half way up the straight, they gave it the ‘Aye Aye’. They should have known better, the final ‘E’ still in their throats Frankie Dettori found another gear on Cracksman and collared the gallant front runner by a neck in the shadow of the post. Talk about having the cup snatched from your lips.

ANDREW AFTER THE CORONATION STAKES

3:45 Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap

Dusted down and ready to go again and the Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap Stakes boasted a 5/4 shot heading the market Ajman King.

After the Coronation Cup the betting was tepid to say the least the biggest bet £250 each way Dark Red at 10/1.

The favourite winning the race and the place bogie just holding on for third wasn’t ideal. On the plus side no lumpy bets meant no lumpy payouts!

4:30 Investec Oaks (Fillies’ Group 1)

Next up the feature race the Investec Oaks with a competitive betting market headed by Wild Illusion at 5/2.

Sadly the money on course was very modest but the office laid two bets totally £18,000 each-way Magic Wand at 4/1 while Wild Illusion eased to 11/4.

Together Forever winning the Oaks at 7/1 looked an excellent result in the on-course book but then when the place losses were added up we’d won a Wetherspoon Round. At least the office kept the lumps they took.

5:15 Investec Surrey Stakes (Listed)

The 45 minute gap between the feature race and the Investec Surrey Stakes seemed to quell the already lukewarm ardour of the punters.

The race took off over time with respectable field money at the off – Kings Shield the only real loser. The punters had backed Lake Volta from 5/1 into 10/3 but left us out with any bets of any significance so winning the way it did was a real bonus cop for the book when plenty would have lost.

5:50 Investec Zebra Handicap

The concluding Investec Zebra Handicap Stakes had all hallmarks of a very little of interest concluding race. We were wrong… a punter came in for Shared Equity with a £5,000 – £400 each way then we laid two independent bets of £4,000 -£1,000 Galloway Hills.

A punter topped it up with a carpet (£300) on Juanito Chico at 7/1 just before the off which left us with the three losers, Galloway Hills by far the worst.

With the winner Shared Equity the second worst in the book which ruined the whole day scooting up the ‘Golden Highway’ on the rail.

ANDREW AT CLOSE OF PLAY

I’m off to Towcester tonight and will be reporting from the Greyhound Derby Betting Ring, if you are coming to Epsom Andrew and team will be here to take your bets on the rail. Be it the Towcester Greyhound or Epsom Derby, come Racing!

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Simon Nott is author of:
Skint Mob! Tales from the Betting Ring

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