SIMON NOTT BETTING BLOG: Newbury Friday

There were a surprising number of people at Newbury today, which was handy for me as I had an unexpected Friday at Newbury blog writing so the hope was there’d be plenty to write about, writes SIMON NOTT.

There were a surprising number of people at Newbury today, which was handy for me as I had an unexpected Friday at Newbury blog writing so the hope was there’d be plenty to write about.

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1.55 – Watch Weekend Winners Powered By BetVictor Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+) 2m4½f (2m4f118y)

A buzz went around the ring when a couple of known sizeable punters came into the ring as betting got underway in the opener, they appeared to be backing the odds-on favourite Queensbury Boy but frustratingly left Star Sports out. With them not betting the money on the first with Kaan and Tony was poor but they did their best to call the punters in.

They did lay a bottle at 11/4 the second-in Captain Bellamy to a very shrewd punter but this time he did his money. The 2/5 jolly Queensbury Boy won the race, Star won £251, those around them appeared to be paying out untold bundles.

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2:30 – Focus Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (For The Brown Chamberlin Trophy) (GBB Race) (Class 3) (5yo+ 0-130) 2m7½f (2m7f86y)

Next up, no odds on shots but the bigger staking punters were seen going in for a bet, but once again they didn’t bet with Kaan or Tony, polite as they are the Star team were getting swerved. Still, there was always the hope of a bit of hedge money, nope none of that transpired either.

The race didn’t take off. Between races I spoke to Australian bookie Peter McCormack, he seemed quite impressed with the number of people here and bookmakers betting, but I doubt he’d want to be half in with Star’s book here which held just £264 with Havaila the bogie for more than they’d taken.

The 9/4 jolly Leave Of Absence won the race, Star lost £5. Get the coffee in Kaan!

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3:00 – Get Best Odds Guaranteed At BetVictor Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-130) 2m½f (2m69y)

The betting in the next didn’t pick up, though apparently there was plenty there was plenty action on the rail. There was still no hedging forthcoming from that direction so once again field money was very small. My pal Andrew Mount had made a strong case for Manuelito in his GG column here, contradicting his form book pick was a renowned paddock judge who told me that Manuelito was to put it politely looking a little burley in the parade ring.

Luckily, Star’s team didn’t hear his summing up so didn’t get stuck into it, mind you getting stuck into anything wouldn’t have been easy. I’ve spoilt the result there haven’t I.

Mounty was right this time, but the paddock judge’s opinion is not to be dismissed, there’s almost certainly more to come. Oh, the betting blog, Kaan and Tony copped £290 over the 9/4 joint favourite, that’s another race they managed to win where the favourite obliged.

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3:30 – Ultimate Travel Company Handicap Hurdle (Challenger Stayers Hurdle Series Qualifier) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-140) 3m (3m52y)

Next up just six runners but a tight betting market. There wasn’t a lot going on, could be the last Friday I get with Star Sports at this race, come on punters. The field money was £361 ‘dreadful’ said Kaan, Ricky working for West End Racing had a chuckle to himself at the pathetic business but he was still copping his wages.

Things did pick up Alice Barnes came around the ring with her delicious cookies which cheered everyone up. Zain Nights won the race at 4/1, the book lost £143.50 thanks largely to a £400 – £100 bet the winner. Remember last week when Lofty was saying ‘Just grands and monkeys’ when asked about big bets? That seems a long time ago.

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4:02 – BetVictor A Run For Your Money At Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 4) (5yo+ 0-120)2m6½f (2m6f93y)

The sun was out as they bet on the race before the penultimate, business didn’t pick up. A crowd of punters came from nowhere ten minutes before the off, the team braced themselves but they weren’t betting, they were on their way to a David Crosse fence visit which Peter told me is very well worth it, though I’m not sure Harry Cobden knows he’s being described in cricket terminology, though I’m told it’s flattering.

Late on, finally, a bet £2000 – £1000 Muskoka which brought the field money up to £1654. The Boola Boss winning under Sean Bowen at 4/1 put paid to that bet but only copped £273 due to plenty of small public money on the winner. It was another winning race though so all good with two to go.

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4:37 – BetVictor Home Of The Saturday Superboost Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-115 3m (3m52y)

Apparently it was still all going on at the rails pitches, Kaan was getting the rubdown, the rails were taking it all, but not necessarily keeping it. The bag men backed the last winner which was great to hear, not that the firm want to other bookies to lose but had they copped for the lumps they surely would have.

Next up, the penultimate, the bagmen were lurking but then left with nothing done. This was the most competitive race of the day on paper but the field money the lowest, the princely sum of £255.50 was nestling in the hod at the off.

Sadly, the winner Mahler Moon the 6/1 winner attracted most of the money including £40 each-way and £60 win bets which was enough to make it a loser for £1021.38 plunging the book into a £355.58 deficit going into the last.

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5:10 – Ultimate Travel Company Open Hunters’ Chase (Class 5) (6yo+)
2m7½f (2m7f86y)

Hopes weren’t exactly high for business on the concluding Hunter Chase, nobody was disappointed there wasn’t a dinar about until a late flurry as the horses lined up. The most popular horse with the punters that did make it to the joint was 9/4 second-in Enrilo. Most of the conversation among the bookmakers was tomorrow’s forecast rain and M4 closure. At the off there was £267 in the hod with Enrilo losing £270.

Regardless of the money bet, the people who stayed for the race were treated to the best finish of the day where Rebel Dawn Rising got the better of a scrap with Empire De Maulde by a nose winning at 9/2. The book copped £242 on the race but lost £113 plus hefty exes in the day. ‘Just a pre-Saturday flex with the new joint’ was Kaan’s smiling summing up of the day. Staunch and Stoic.

We’re here tomorrow.

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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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