SIMON NOTT BETTING BLOG: Ascot Saturday

It was great to be back at Ascot, there’s nowhere quite like it. Having said that, judging by the number of people in Ascot’s press room it appeared that most eyes, at least those of the racing media, were on Lingfield. I was reliably informed that there had been in access of 10,000 advance tickets sold though so it looked as if the punters were keen at least. The team today were Inlike Flynn come out of his corporate elevation to work on course tapping in the bets for the day and 30 year on course veteran Tony taking the bets.

1:30 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap (Class 3) (4YO plus) 1m 4f

There wasn’t a sniff of a big punter or bag-man betting in the first. The public were keen to get stuck in, but only on one horse, who tipped Sir Rumi up I wonder? Whoever it was that encouraged the Ascot racegoers to bet the one horse, they were at least in the place money finishing third. The majority of punters would have done their money though, only the professionals bet 10/3 shots each way. That was just as well as the third home would have done £1600 in a book that held a grand. Not many backers found 11/1 winner Sheer Rocks which was handy, the book copped a monkey.

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2:05 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Str) (Class 2) (3YO plus) 1m

Between races I spotted a bag-man at the rails and pointed him in the direction of Tony and Flynn who were getting stuck into the second. When I say getting stuck in, I mean the best they could. With five minutes to go the biggest single bet in the race was £40. I did lean into hear the bet when a chap approached with a wedge in his hand then dampened my ardour by having £6 each-way on one. It’s always good to have one decent bet to write about. Then the bag man came over, this had to be a bet, nope he was after a fictional price in the last.

In the lull Flynn did tell me about a scary moment he had when sat on the throne before racing, not the owner’s but the Thomas Crapper variety. An announcement was made to evacuate, not his bowels but the area. He hastened to comply only to realise on exit that it had been a test.

Back to the betting, the biggest bet had still only been £40, Flynn described what he was looking at on his screen as a boring book but one he was happy with. The hod held about a grand and the worst loser for a carpet. Farhh To Shy won at 20/1 and the booked copped another monkey. ‘That’s the plan for the rest of the day, win a monkey a race’ beamed Flynn. As plans go, it sounded a good one.

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2:40 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4YO plus) 7f

Prior to the third heat I had a message from the wishful thinking head of Star’s social media asking if there were any free samples from the sponsor knocking around. Sadly, the answer was no, at least not in the areas I was frequenting. It was probably just as well, the race they sponsored looked hard enough so solve with a clear head letalone a foggy one. Totally Charming was 11/2 market leader so it wasn’t that surprising they bets were very modest. As business was a bit slow Flynn nipped off to the loo to finish the job interrupted by the false alarm, so I tapped in a few bets, which wasn’t as hard as it looked.

At the off the book held a grand with three losers, Biggles the worst for £455. One of those bad ones was Rebel Territory which won in a way that must have made the handicapper blush. The winner was 11/1 at the off so not totally out of its place. The second home was Biggles so it could have been worse. The book lost £300 so the win monkey a race ambition had been thwarted, if only it were as easy as that.

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3:10 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro Novice Stakes (GBB Race) (Class 3) (2YO only) 5f

Next up, the same sponsors, but a group race with Ocean Runner opening the 8/11 favourite. That in theory made it easier to pick the winner. You have to be an optimist in this game, punters and bookies alike. Bob Dixon bet next to Star in the second row, they must be the epitome of optimists to have packed this in the kit. It may be only a month to Royal Ascot but Flynn had his gilet on.

The punters didn’t want to play, the total take on the race was a carpet so the less said about it the better, especially as 10/1 chance Natural Force won it and the book lost £100.

Tony was sporting new Star Sports branded clobber, do you like it? I thought it looked very smart. Tony has been known to wear the previous and much less flattering style of Star Sports branded clobber to the pub after racing, so I commented that he must be very pleased with it. Apparently, it’s not waterproofed so was actually not over enamoured with his new ensemble. Let’s hope it’s a hot and dry summer Tony, nobody wants damp and grumpy staff.

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3:45 – Carey Group Handicap (Class 3) (3YO only) 1m 2f

Just seven went to post for the race before the penultimate, where they made Westerton the 7/4 favourite early on. At the off it was still 7/4 in places with a very hard taken £700 in the hod but the jolly winning £312 in the win book. Armaloft Alex was working at the far end of Tatts and text to say there was ‘More life in a tramp’s vest’ down there. You can’t expect ‘Royal Ascot knocking over’ at a meeting like this which was just about workable. Hold up, what am I saying, it’s only workable if you do it right. Flynn and Tony didn’t go for the favourite, they couldn’t lay it, the race was won by 5/1 chance Maasi Mara which lost £400 in the book. A book which was just £150 in front after five races. Have you noticed that the wheels came off after Flynn’s bold monkey a race statement? Yes me too 🤔

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4:20 – Royal Ascot Local Schools Art Competition Fillies’ Handicap (Class 4) (3YO plus) 1m 2f

The penultimate book boasted a biggest bet of £80 but held a grand. One thing to mention if you are coming racing, Star Sports offer forecast betting every race which proved popular today. Once again, and a feature of the afternoon, the favourite, this time 9/4 chance Peace of Mine was hard to lay on course despite plenty for it on the machine late on. As they set off the jolly was winning £193 while Dubai Crystal and Chips and Rice lost £426 and £536 respectively. 12/1 shot Double March won the race which was another cracking result for the ring in general. It was for Star Sports this time too, Flynn turned around, flashed me a Colgate smile and said triumphantly ‘Got a monkey on that one!’ Good man.

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4:55 – Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Handicap (Class 4) (4YO plus) 6f

Weirdly enough I didn’t get a message from Dave asking for free samples of this particular product from the sponsors, though I’m sure it would be handy if you’re the designated driver. Despite some of today’s punters being visibly refreshed they were all very well behaved. Some of them even bet on the last race. This is the race where Coco Bear opened at 5/2 and was the horse the bag man wanted a substantial bet at the fantasy price of 7/2 on early doors. You have to watch these bag men asking for early prices, they know you know. Funnily enough Coco Bear was one the punters fancied backing, but once again to small stakes. This really was a recreational punting crowd, the biggest bet in the book was £40 but once again it held getting on for a grand. There were three losers for a bottle a piece at the off. ‘Sure to win today now’ beamed Flynn. Win the firm did, but the race was won by Coco Bear the 9/4 favourite which was one of the £200 losers. The firm got the bulk of the expenses on the day, but the biggest result was not laying that bag man early doors. They know I tell you. Next up for my betting ring reports, York next week. Thanks for reading.

SIMON NOTT

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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Simon Nott is author of: Skint Mob! Tales from the Betting Ring
available on Kindle CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

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