30/12/2009

Sightly early finish, been doing the darts all day, decided to finish up before the Barney v Painter game because I've been woeful tonight. Think Painter will win for what its worth but sure confidence is a little gone for this evening after two awe-red markets in a row.

I was in fantastic touch this afternoon though, couldnt do anything wrong, everything I did went right. Backed Webster, rode the train down to 1.01, laid it, then even got a bounce out to 1.07 to back again. That was the biggest win. Then afternoon session finishes, go get something to eat, a shower, relax, come back and I cannot do a single thing right. Its probably the reason I love gambling because everything is different but it doesnt half leave you scratching your head sometimes.

Having said that, you could be the most wonderfully amazing trader in the world but if your man doesnt hit that double with three darts at it, youre goosed. Its basically you know, youre either right or youre wrong, I was on the right end of the swings this afternoon and on the wrong end this evening. Small bit annoyed to chuck away most of the days profit but still won €20 and sure I'd of taken it this morning probably if offered you know, its just when youre €120 up and then come crashing back down its hard to take, which is why I'm not doing the last game now.

What did I do wrong in the Wade game? Kept changing my mind. It really is the biggest bugger in trading a game, hard match for me though, both at averages in or around 97 the whole game, there were 7 breaks of throw before the end of the third set, I just wasnt confident in what I was doing. So if the odds jumped 5 ticks against me, I'd be questioning myself, rather than if I was confident that 5 tick jump wouldnt necessarily bother me. Nothing wrong with the players or the market like, just me, absolutely immense game of darts.

Today could of been a lot worse though, still happy to have a shocker of a market and still have a winning day.

Webster was unreal today, he was awesome. Think he'll go to at least the semi, maybe even the final (depends who he plays in semi). Wade not looking the greatest, when I was on him I was nervy. Stompe can be fantastic or he can be useless, few dodgey moments today but came through in the end. Lewis playing the best and has the best average so far.. he normally goes to pot against Taylor though and whos he playing next? Taylor. I suppose we'll see how he gets on. Barney, bar the 9 darter, has been useless also. Whitlock not without a shout too. Obviously its hard to see Taylor being beaten because he is the daddy, but I'd have the market a lot different than it is, only players I can see actually beating Taylor are Webster and Whitlock.

Against Taylor..
Wade - Proven not good enough over long distances.
Barney - Taylors in his head, beaten before he walks on the stage.
Lewis - Same as Barney. But playing well, sure we'll see if things have changed.
Baxter - Probably not good enough for Taylor.
Stompe - Same as above.
Painter (If he beats Barney) - Not good enough for Taylor.

Webster and Whitlock seem the only dangers to me, I've backed Taylor at 1.5ish for €300. The best thing about backing him is really, if he does indeed lose, at least you know the other bloke earned it and you were just beaten by the better player. Which I'd never complain about you know.

Global Warming..

Whoever came up with "Global Warming" was clearly lying, its bleedin' freezin'! "Global Colding" would be a better fit I reckon, honestly and not over exaggerating it one bit, I've never been as cold on a racecourse as I was in Leopardstown today. And Leopardstown is in Dublin too which avoids most of the bad weather, it was baltic. Also, if anyone does indeed know of any country effected by "Global Warming" please feel free to tell me.. I'll be off!

Even though I love going racing, I'm a tad happy to see the back of the 4 days, its tough going you know, especially when youve rain going sideways one day and cant see your hand in front of your face with fog the next day. Looking forward to staying in bed all day tomorrow, thats a certainty.

Gamblings gone well the last two days, darts has been OK for swings and got a few trades on all the evening matches. Horses went well today and for the first time in AGES won over €100 on my Pre-Off bets for the blog, boom! No medals for picking the winners however as both were odds on, wasnt too impressed with Voler today actually, but she can only beat whats in front of her I suppose.

Happiest moment of the week - Shouting for Go Native in the PPs just inside from the ring. My heel is still goosed!

Lowest moment of the week - The weather. It was cat.

Horse I was most impressed with - Captain Cee Bee. Was cruising up to Sizing when falling at the last, looked a heavy fall but thank god he got up OK, I'd rather him than the winner for Cheltenham at this stage. Naas form was backed up by Zaairto today too.

Horse I was most disappointed with - Aran Concerto. Felt he had a big chance, but really was never in the race. Also, really let down by Judge Roy Bean falling in the novice hurdle, all the favourites fell away, the race was set up for him you know.

Horse I'll follow - Dr Whizz. Got word for him before his first run in the bumper, never backed him because they sent him off odds on, won easy that day and again won a little easy first time over hurdles. I like him.

Horse who has more followers than moses - Binocular. Should be 1/4 for the Champion Hurdle at this rate FFS! Go Native beats him, they still send him off favourite, Go Native beats him again, they still have them around the same price for March.

Race that left me feeling "meh" - I'll get shot down for this, but the King George. While everyone was going mental over Kauto Star, what happened to the opposition? They were gone before halfway. We all know how good Kauto is, but sure the race was left to him really, not having a pop at him, just dont see why it should effect his price for Cheltenham.

Horse thats all class - Big Bucks. No ground issue, ride him any way Ruby likes and just gets on with it. Was always in control today and won easy in my view over his biggest rival for Cheltenham. He is an absolute certainty for March.

Battler of the week - Pandorama. Very rare you get a superstar from Noel Meade that'll actually put his head down for you. Normally their all bridle types. But this fella does, hes a good un too. The second will do well also.

I nearly did but I didnt - Siegemaster at 16/1. Theres always one to beat you in a big handicap, ran a cracker though.

Seeth of the week - 1) The fog and 2) The bookies. Got 20/1 Aran Concerto, called off, bets void, go back the next day and best price was 16/1. Seething. Was probably the right thing to void it but should of given the option to let bets stand for people coming back the next day. Also got knocked back doing each way on a 7/2 shot in a 21 runner race by John Stuart, win only in a 21 runner race FFS, having a laugh!

Amazing scenes of the week - Barneys 9 darter! Delighted to have the tv on at the time.

Triller of the week - Who killed Archie Mitchell..!

27/12/2009

Darts: €14.28 Total P&L: €14.28

Just been messing around on the darts this evening, I'm knackered after Leopardstown. Tabern v Dudbridge, both were matched at lower than 1.1 before flipping back, so that match was handy to trade (if on the right one!), but never had a liability of over a tenner. I'm sure some people have six tv screens and six computers and everything else with the speed of darts.. I've just been lying on the couch, and its a struggle of move an arm to click. Now thats what you call lazy.

Couldnt be enjoying Leopardstown any more to be honest though, great few days, wish the weather would heat up a little though, its bleedin' freezin'! Fancy Aran Concerto E/W in the big one tomorrow, not big really, but like him at 20s or so. Big fan of Nobel Prince too, so I'll be on him E/W as well. Also looking forward to seeing Pandorama again, beast.

Its been a slow week with Christmas and all. Only a small few bets, nothing worth talking about really. Cricket standing out but sure it was probably the only thing I sat down and took serious for the week.

P&L In running: €77.86
P&L Pre-Off: -€27.40

I'll take it! Next week should be back to normal after Leopardstown finishes.

Leopardstown..

Just so everyone knows I'm in Leopardstown for the four days over Christmas so there'll be a serious lack of betting on the blog front while I do battle with the on course layers.

Had a couple of bets on Betfair mobile.. only using it for lays and place backs, one won and one lost. Same as usual sure.

No point after-timing either and telling you all what I did, sure you know yourself, few losers, few winners, same craic as ever. I'll say this though.. Go Native baby. Yes I know, weve been here before, weve been here countless times before..

Also, cant trade the 2nd test in Safferland because I'm out each day, cant do any sports either really. Hope everyone is winning for the festive period anyway..!

And if anyone is indeed in Leopardstown, I'll be the handsome looking fellow with hair going in every direction.. also you wont miss me hobbling around the betting ring because I cant walk properly, the heel went kaput during the Go Native celebrations, I seriously cant walk like, but I'll still be there each day!

Will knock up the weeks screen shot tomorrow, even though I've only had three bets all week, keep things on track anyway. Now, to study form for tomorrow..

Very Nice Paddy Power

Upon Mr Power asking for the winner of a certain race to be picked, and said horse I (The Daddy) picked for him.. and indeed picked the winner. But of course it won, I'm The Daddy.. I dont pick losers! Only joking. (clearly, HA!)

Anyway, birra Christmas good will and all that, a free bet of €25 on the darts tonight. Went with Andy Smith v Darin Young under 7.5 180s at 8/11, that line looks massively high comparing it to their talent. I suppose PP is factoring in the match going all the way, but even so neither are big 180 hitters and I'm happy to be on under. Cant lose anyway sure.

Very nice Paddy. By the way, the hoor put it under "free bet" so I had to back something, the last time we did this on the Ireland game he just gave me the 50 quid into the account. Recession hitting him hard or what.

Also like to take the chance to say congratulations to my good friend Tomas Reilly for coming out of the closet today, I havent seen him since Thursday but he text me today: "Just in Eddie Rockets now, its not the same without you." What a gay, last time I'm ever sitting beside him in college.

And an update in my life too, my Christmas shopping is now complete, its hurts your wallet. No bets on Betfair because I said I finished up yesterday, and because I was in the que in HMV for fooking hours!

Happy Christmas again everyone..

EDIT AT 8-40 PM: I am SEETHING! Absolutely seething, game goes to extra time because its was 2-2 in sets, 2-2 in legs, winner must win by two clear legs. Theyve knocked in 6 (yes SIX) 180s in the extra time so now the 180 count is 8. SEETHING! Couldnt hit one at all during the game and now hitting them every second throw, both missed at least 3 darts to finish the game in normal sets too, gonna get some stick off Paddy, fook it anyway! Thank god it wasnt my own money though, jaysus I'd be off to the nearest bridge if it was.

Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas..

Right then, happy to end with a winning day before Christmas. Traded India v Sri Lanka, Lumpy (the bloke who bets €100,000 a pop in the market) had a bit of a mental breakdown today. He had the odds all over the shop, its fair to say he controls the market because of the weight of money he brings to the table. He fancied Sri Lanka all the way through, but they collapsed going from 165/1 (I think, around that) to 239 all out. Then he didnt give up.. pushed India from 1.25 at the break to 1.34, then after a slow start, as to be expected, pushed them out to 1.42, he was having a shocker. The problem with him is when he has a shocker, everyone notices, when I have a shocker, no one notices! Until I tell everyone here what a eejet I've been. Took him on all day and it paid off, only small mistake I made was laying India back at 1.07/1.08 thinking on a wicket he'd push them out mad again (he did the wicket before that), they never lost the next wicket though.. suppose thats how easy it was in the end with a rate of under 4ish.

I would have thought a man of his esteem would know when to abandon ship really, but he kept going and taking them on when he had nothing going from him, must of lost an absolute fortune, he sometimes does push the boat out a little but he hasnt been that wrong in ages. I dont particularly like taking him on normally, because if something does go his way, he'll absolutely rape you with the odds swing, you'll have to go awe-red at awful odds purely because of his weight of money. Its like today, he puts up €200,000 at 1.34 and people start jumping him to 1.35, 1.36 etc.. so he jumps them again, all of sudden weve a chasing the money fest. And if its going against you, its hard not to panic a tad. I do be alright because I'm never overexposed to my max bet, and can say "fook it" at certain times, but if youre trading above your comfort level, hes a bit of a hoor to mess with. When he switches though, god its a sight to behold.

Anyway, havent done any Christmas shopping at all and its Emmas last day in work tomorrow so its my last chance, I'm a disaster for doing stuff last minute. So no more betting and posts until after Christmas. Just wanna take the chance to say thanks to everyone whos visited, followed, even read one post or commented, be it whatever, its appreciated and you know its been a lot of craic, and hopefully something made sense, if not hopefully I made you laugh somewhere, with me or at me I dont mind. But happy Christmas to you and your family and I hope you have a brilliant one.

20/12/2009

Just sort out the P&L from the cricket, traded the darts a little too but not going mental, not too keen on all the swings.. OK if youre on the right end of them, terrible if youre not.. and if they miss doubles youre seething!

Cricket: -€30.02 | Darts: €22.42 Total P&L: -€7.60

Took Monday, Tuesday and Thursday off this week. Lost a tenner on a slow Wednesday, and traded the test match Friday, Saturday and Sunday.. filled in bits and pieces around that basically so its been a slow week. Delighted to dig myself out of a hole in the test the weekend, it was looking grim at one stage. Another thing I'm delighted about is no pre-off bets either, something I set out to do you know. Everything on the P&L is in running so again a profit there, I'm 100% sure now I'm better in running than pre-off, the last three weeks has confirmed that and I'll be trying to stick to in running only for the future. At least until the flat season is back anyway.

Next week is Christmas so it'll be slow enough too.. then Leopardstown, the calm before the storm next week! Sri Lanka v India tomorrow in the cricket, I'll trade that if the first innings doesnt kill it.. then I presume that'll be it until Christmas.

By the way, did anyone read the John Terry story in the News Of The World today? Caught him good, what a nonsense story though. He paid for his Christmas presents, very nice JT. Just so the Irish papers know, if they wanna give me €10,000 for a tour of Ballydoyle, I'll be more than happy to help them, maybe get the face in the paper too!