SIMON NOTT BLOG: Royal Ascot Thursday

SIMON NOTT reports from the betting ring at Royal Ascot on Thursday.

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Ben takes counsel from Big Mac on the pivotal horse of the day – Order Of St George in the Gold Cup …

Royal Ascot Day Three

Ladies Day

The Racing Blogger came to visit the joint prior to racing. To be fair the Blogger did say he’d tipped a big priced one in one of the handicaps but then said he thought Order Of St George was a certainty in the Gold Cup. I’m sure I saw a twinkle in Ben’s eye at that news.

Norfolk Stakes

The competitive 2yo opener was not the ideal heat to start with us betting around 7/1 the field. We took respectable money but all painfully small. You know you are in for a day of graft when the most frequently asked question is ‘What’s your minimum bet?’ By necessity of the business the day the answer is £5 or £2.50 each way. Back in the office they laid £40,000 Mcerin and £10,000 It Don’t Come Easy so 14/1 winner Sioux Nation was a very welcome middle pin and a fair winner in a small staking on-course book to start the day.

Hampton Court Stakes

By the second race it was mayhem in the ring with winning punters trying to collect and others to bet – all exacerbated by the confused ‘new to betting’ asking us to check if their horse won, it hadn’t. Ricky and Ben got their heads down and waded on. Once again betting to around a rouf (4/1) the field it was hard for the punters so generally a plethora of shrapnel bets.

After looking promising, business lulled towards the off with the book small and made by the punters.

Then just as they were going into the stalls in they came with £50,000 – £6,000 each way (that’s 8/1 with the fractions, come racing) Taj Mahal. Aye Aye out of the frame, just fourth – one for the Gentleman’s Bookmaker. The 9/2 winner Benbatl was a winner in the cash book too, just the way things came in. Now we’re rolling.

Ribblesdale Stakes

The firm were tapping away nicely then a punter came in for £60,000 at 11/4 Alluringly and £60,000 at 5/2 Mori, we were right in it and needed them both beaten. Then the office called, they’d laid £2,590 each way Hertford Dancer at big prices. I didn’t film the race after yesterday but needless to say it was heart stopping but 9/1 winner Coronet was a stunning result – despite the each-way money landed.

The Gold Cup

It was always going to be about this race. Ben anticipated a some lumps, but they kept us waiting. Then the office called, they’d laid £105,000 and £33,000 Order of St George then with seconds to go we laid £100,000 – £110,000 on course. What a race Big Orange held on by a short head to get us the money. What a rush.

Britannia Stakes

The race came alive despite its difficulty to solve fielding plenty of modest bets, then wallop the biggest bet of the race £40,000 – £3,200 each way Afaak and got it out the frame so happy days with one race to go.

King George V Stakes

The final heat was a very quiet betting race compared to the excitement of earlier races. Atty Persse lost us £300. A tame end to a nerve shattering day. We’re now marching into Friday.

Lofty summarises the day …

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

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