Author: John Burke

Victor’s Ludlow Picks – Wednesday December 20th 2023

Hi all,

It’s the calm before the pre-Christmas storm.

We have a busy week or so starting on Friday which will likely see selections every day apart from Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Before all that I’m off to Ludlow today for a couple of picks.

Continue reading “Victor’s Ludlow Picks – Wednesday December 20th 2023”

Victor’s Saturday Preview – December 16th 2023

Hi all,

I’m sending this in-depth Saturday Preview earlier than usual due to its length.

It’s not a vintage Cheltenham December meeting Saturday. It’s light on Graded races, no International Hurdle, but has some good betting opportunities for punters to get stuck into.

ITV Racing are covering five races live from Cheltenham and three from Doncaster on an eight-race programme.

As ever I’m focusing this preview on the ITV races.

Continue reading “Victor’s Saturday Preview – December 16th 2023”

Victor’s Friday Betting Advice – December 15th 2023

Hi all,

The decline in evening odds signals a challenging environment for value betting the night before racing. Bookmakers are notably risk-averse, now consistently undervaluing horses by a significant margin—pricing them at 3/1 in the evening, only to double their odds by morning.

It’s not an ideal situation, I know, as we’ve got into the habit of betting early and then utilizing Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG). With the absence of BOG, the night before racing you must be prepared to change strategy and seize betting opportunities in the morning of racing.  I know it’s something that I’m monitoring going forward.

Whilst the pre-final declaration markets offer value, the uncertainty of a horse’s participation adds an element of risk. Nevertheless, a shift towards exploring these markets more extensively seems likely.

Stay tuned for further developments!

As promised, here are the selections and betting advice for Friday.

Continue reading “Victor’s Friday Betting Advice – December 15th 2023”

Victor’s Friday Preview – December 15th 2023

Hi all,

Cheltenham’s December meeting gets underway on Friday. It’s the first of two days of racing and it looks like a pre-Christmas cracker.

You can watch the best of the action on ITV4 this afternoon. The broadcaster is covering five races live from Cheltenham and as a bonus two from Bangor.

Continue reading “Victor’s Friday Preview – December 15th 2023”

Victor’s Wednesday Preview – December 13th 2023

Hi all,

My first selections for the service since Saturday. The most valuable race of the day is the Listed Wild Flower Stakes (7.30) at Kempton and there’s also a runner in a 6f handicap at Lingfield that’s caught my eye.

Continue reading “Victor’s Wednesday Preview – December 13th 2023”

Victor’s Saturday Preview – December 9th 2023

Hi all,

Saturday’s Preview is early this week and it gives you a chance to have a relaxed look at it before placing your selections. My selections will be posted either this evening or on Saturday morning so watch out for updates.

Continue reading “Victor’s Saturday Preview – December 9th 2023”

Victor’s Friday Preview – December 8th 2023

Hi all,

Sadly, we lost a decent Exeter card due to the wet weather, but it looks like Friday’s feature meeting at Sandown will go ahead.

There are two small field but intriguing Grade 2’s and three handicaps on a six race card at Sandown.

Continue reading “Victor’s Friday Preview – December 8th 2023”