Right then. Where were we?

First things first. Without wanting to be soppy about this at all, I was completely taken aback (in a good way) by the messages that were left after Wednesday night's post. A truly heartfelt "Thankyou" to everyone who commented. It really was very much appreciated. I showed Helen, who often acts as an unofficial editor on here, and by the time she had finished reading, there was a tear in her eye. True, it was the Iritis that caused it, but still, she was very touched.

So where are we now? To sum it up, Wednesday was mediocre, Thursday terrible, and Friday perhaps could be best described as stopping the rot. Which brings us on to today...

The Grand National

With the way this month has gone so far, I feared the worst. It felt like I was on half the field and the potential to miss out completely on securing any sort of return a distinct possibility. This race does not just catch the attention of the general public. It seems to have a mesmorising affect on tipsters too, such was the rigour with which most attacked the greatest horse racing challenge of the year. As it happened, I came out a couple of hundred up. But it so easily could have been a whole lot more.

4PA had tipped Oscar Time antepost, and I had £25ew at 18s and a further £25 on the win at 16s. As it jumped the last, I thought that it was going to get up but alas, it was not to be. So near and yet so far with that one.

The horse Oscar Time challenged on the run-in was Ballabriggs. £20 win at 25/1 was secured earlier this season on the advice of The Sportsman. Trouble is, that is not even half the story. This morning, The Sportsman advised a lay at 19/1 to ensure a free bet. I wonder if Scott is ruing this decision at all? I would hope not, as the strategy worked a treat with Peddlar's Cross in the Champion Hurdle and this is just one of those things. Are you beginning to see though how much better it all could have been?

Further returns were made on the race by Northern Monkey which had Niche Market each way, and 4PA had the foresight to advise Don't Push It on the 'To Be Placed' market (I got half on at 3/1 and the other half at 5/2).

As for losers, 4PA also had Backstage, Northern Monkey gave Becauseicouldntsee, and On The Nose recommended Chief Dan George and Big Fella Thanks.

Today's Other Racing

The only winner elsewhere was provided by PJA NH (Digital Media - Chepstow - 8/1) and the service found two others to place from a total of seven selections. On The Nose had one loser to add to the losses from the National, Winning Racing Tips had an each way double that failed when Peddlar's Cross wasn't able to reach the frame, and ProBandit had no success from the one race they played in. Chasemaster provided one loser from one selection although I was lucky to escape a second loser...my email with a tip for the 1.55 at Bangor hit my inbox at 1.56. I happened to be sitting at the PC when it came in so I saw it straight away, but I wasn't able to get my bet on. Stroke of luck, that one.

4PA: Staked 3.5pts, +3pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.1pt, +0.6pts.
PJA NH: Staked 5pts, +1.143pts.
Northern Monkey: Staked 1pt, +0.693pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.25pts, -0.25pts.
ProBandit: Staked 0.75pts, -0.75pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 0.8pts, -0.8pts.
On The Nose: Staked 3.5pts, -3.5pts.
Total financial profit on the racing of £143.74.


And so to the football/sports betting.

Winners were Football Elite who were one from one (Hannover) and Strike Zone which managed two from two. Sportyy had a successful bet today on the tennis too, and this is added to another successful bet which was placed yesterday but happened too late to record.

The Football Analyst's one System 8-22 selection lost, and Football Investor had what can only be described as a 'mare...one winner from eleven selections.

Skeeve emailed tonight to say that he had dropped four points despite not having a bet today. Now I know my month has been pretty awful, but I thought this was taking the biscuit! It turned out that it was an antepost bet that cannot now win. I will be accounting for all football antepost bets at the end of the season though - it's easier that way.

Football Elite: Staked 1pt, +1.24pts.
Strike Zone: Staked 2pts, +1.27pts.
The Football Analyst: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Football Investor: Staked 11pts, -8.3pts.
Sportyy: Staked £74, +£89.71.
Total financial profit on sports of £52.71.

Saturday 9th April: Staked £1,017, +£196.45.
Week to date: Staked £2,732, -£289.86.
Month to date: Staked £5,355, -£1,071.04, roi -20%.


There is a lot to write about, but the time for all that isn't the weekend. Tomorrow will see another typical weekend post and then we'll get stuck into the meatier stuff from Monday.

It's good to be back.