SIMON NOTT BETTING BLOG: Kempton Saturday

It was another traditional game played before racing, the was it on or was it off boogie, writes SIMON NOTT.

The weather forecast suggested that ‘on’ was odds-on, so no great surprise, but a relief nonetheless being halfway up the A303 when confirmation came through that sport would take place at Sunbury this afternoon.

A bigger surprise was that Star Sports’ leader Ben Keith was coming along to join Steve on the rail and Lofty and Tony in Tatts. He wasn’t there for long mind, ducking off to somewhere warmer before the first.

12:20 – Join Coral Bet 10 Get 50 Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5YO plus) 2m

On the coalface, there was plenty of money for the odds-on favourite Baron Noir in the opener. Lofty and Tony laid £3000 and £1000 at 4/5, while Steve got it in cheaper £2000 and £1000 at 4/6.

Both teams did their money, the jolly won quite easily, it certainly wouldn’t have got those odds-on backers’ blood pressure up, Tatts blew £4000 and the rail £1915.

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12:55 – Coral ‘Daily Rewards Shaker’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5YO plus) 2m 4½f

Next up, and a tight looking betting race with just five runners where they bet 11/4 the field, with Leader In The Park heading the market at 11/4.

Then, a panic on the rails, Steve who isn’t as young as he used to be, was caught short and need to nip to the gents, men of a certain age will understand. Ben was still AWOL so I had to hop up and take the bets and tap them in. Ben returned and saw me, then rather than help, proceeded to take the mick and thought it hilarious I was ‘working’ and ‘learned to clerk’ ha ha. He was a mere whippersnapper when David Phillips starting using a computer on course, pencil and book before that. I quite enjoyed my stints on the pitches.

Luckily, Steve had returned by the time a punter with £2000 to have on Old Cowboy at 7/2. Ultimately, that was the only bet on the race across both pitches. Old Cowboy fell spectacularly when still in contention but was thankfully got up and continued running apparently none the worse for his tumble.

The race went to 7/2 chance Lookaway who was a winner in both books, Tatts copped £800, Lofty had a lean and the rail £2700.

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1:30 – Coral Racing Club Join For Free Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4YO only) 2m

It was double lucky that I wasn’t on the rails stool for the third when a punter came in for a £5000 double, the first leg was Siam Ruby which won at Lingfield all going onto Precious Man here at 2/7.

Meanwhile, in Tatts Lofty and Tony laid £800 – £200 Wertpol. Back over on the rail a punter bet £5000 – £500 each-way Senator which took their field money to over £10,000 with the double playing up.

The double copped when Precious Man won easily landing the odds returning 4/11 but the race was marred by the horrible fall suffered by Wertpol at the last. A punter named David came over to ask if I’d mention that the racecourse never show replays, they wouldn’t have shown the last race regardless but punters do like to see replays.

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2:05 – Coral ‘New’ Horse Racing Bet Builder Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5YO plus) 3m

I met Neil from Watty racing between heats, he’s a nice chap, keen too, coming down from Haydock way, look out SD another one that does the miles.

Next up, The Doyen Chief opened odds-on tips-on 10/11 but soon hit evens. When it did, the five grand double punter in the rail spun his winnings up having £4385 at the price, meanwhile in Tatts Lofty and Tony laid a more conventional even £2000.

Despite the decent bets the jolly continued to drift, books were calling 11/10 as the horses went to post. No takers. Well, what can you say, The Doyen Chief looked beaten to my eyes at least three times during the race, it’s like I don’t bet in running as Alan King’s gelding proved to be as tough as teak batting on to win by a neck.

The Tatts pitch blew £2200 though Lofty was keen to point out they got him in cheap, over on the rail Steve, Ben was long gone, blew £3653. My Australian bookie pal Andrew had been chatting during the betting, and he nipped in for a pint, no doubt celebrating that he wasn’t laying them today.

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2:40 – Coral Silviniaco Conti Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 2m 4½f

Next up and had a particular interest in the race as I’d had an email from pro-punter Alan Potts regarding the heat. He made a strong case against the jolly Kalif Du Berlais saying he wouldn’t back him at 11/8.

Given that Lofty had laid an early even £3000 and £1000 – £1200 and Steve £5770 at 9/10 you’d think the team would be hoping Alan was right, though having also laid £4000 – £1000 and £3500 – £1000 Edwardstone they were really up the front two.

Sadly, the race was one we’d rather forget, not least because Kalif Du Berlais fell fatally. Edwardstone won having looked a big price in running but it was a hollow victory. Alan was right but certainly wouldn’t have taken any pleasure in being so in the circumstances.

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3:17 – Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4YO plus) 2m 5f

The penultimate heat was also the feature, and a race for form students and punters to really get stuck into. The first decent bet into the Tatts book was £4500 – £1000 Lanesborough. Over on the rail, Steve had laid £2000 – £400 and £1000 – £200 on the same horse.

The next punter to the Tatts joint asked for 4/1 A Pai De Nom which was priced at 7/2 in the board. Lofty asked the punter how much he wanted on, the punter said a grand, he was offered a monkey at 4/1 and the rest at 7/2, ‘Bet!’ Replied the punter, almost snapping Lofty’s hand off. Apart from that bet business was mostly recreational and low staking.

The books got a turn up, Iberico Lord winning at 22/1 was a great result, or at least looked it. It was OK for Steve on the rail, who copped £1435 but Tatts only won £273, the winner having been popular with the £10 each-way backers.

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3:53 – Coral ‘Pipped-At-The-Post’ Payouts Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4YO plus) 2m

Lofty was resigned to losing on the day but business was brisk enough on the lucky last, he was still smiling. Bets of £2750 – £1000 and £1000 – £400 Williethebuilder and £3600 – £600 Oakley’s Way had put a smile on the big man’s face. Steve on the rail, not exactly renowned for his beaming smile was also happy enough having laid £2500 – £1000 Williethebuilder himself. As the field set off for the final heat, the rails were losing £2700 and Tatts £6000.

There was an air of inevitability about Williethebuilder winning the last as he did returning 2/1 jolly, compounding a bad day for Star Sports. Still, business had been good and now Aussie Andrew’s mate having backed the winner could treat himself to a warm coat.

I’m back with Star Sports for the Berkshire Millions at Windsor, Ascot and Windsor next Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Thanks for reading.

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

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