Introduction

"The Impossible Dream" -
- from MAN OF LA MANCHA (1972)

" ... its the hardest way of making an easy living that I've experienced ..."
(Anonymous betfair post on going professional)

Firstly let me clarify the following.

I have no aspirations to be a tipster for reasons best described below.

"It's actually a futile exercise tipping horses to the masses - the bookies have to collectively win long term to stay in business, so anyone who is any good as a tipster long term achieves nothing more than to have the average odds of his tips shorten up until he is no longer profitable to follow."

(Ian Davies – The Racing Forum July 29, 2005)

I have no inside information or access to trainer stables and I am not trying to peddle a horse racing selection system. In summary I am a relative amateur and one step above a mug punter.

Inspired by large wins on the crap tables of Las Vegas, motivated by Nick Mordin's book Betting for a Living and disillusioned by my current career, in Aug 2003 I decided to embark on a path to becoming a professional horseplayer (or 'Punter' as its commonly known).

This web site will act as my weblog (blog) and from time to time I will post my thoughts and update my current progress in the hope that my experiences will help others to avoid my mistakes and learn/share from my successes. I also maintain a forum where I note horses to be followed, handicapping articles I have found useful and development of new selection systems and ideas.

From time to time I also post my All Weather selections on the All Weather Horse Racing Blog

Please accept this advice as being worth what you paid for it!

"Racing is a great leveller. The day you think you have mastered the game, you will be made to pay for it the following day. What you must do is build up a bank of experience that allows you to reduce and eliminate as far as possible the factors that make for foolish betting. In a word, you act to strict ground rules always and you endeavour to become an investor rather that a pure addictive gambler ... ... ..."

(J.P. McManus - Legendary Irish Punter and Owner)

These statements crystallise the other objective of this web site which is to build up a historical record of bets that can be used as a reference for future selections

Becoming a successful professional punter will take time, experience and knowledge. For example it takes at least 3, 4 or even 5 years (or more) to learn the trade of a bricklayer, plumber, engineer and I expect it will take me this length of time to acheive my objective.

"Don’t try to become a professional in on day, or one week or even one year. It is too hard a discipline, and will crush those who do not respect its requirements. Rather, accept that you are in the midst of a journey to handicapping excellence, and that you must master many skills along the way."

(Schmidt, Hambleton, Pizzolla, Sartin – Pace Makes The Race)

During this journey, feel free to drop in from time to time to monitor my progress directly or via the 'Really Simple Syndication' (RSS) feed.

If you feel you have any suggestions please leave your comments in my guestbook or email me directly at admin@slipperytoad.co.uk