Ep #4 The Punters Betting Diary – A Week With David B

By David Bowker (Basic member)

To give a bit of context to this diary, my interest in horse racing is mainly as someone who enjoys going to the races. I live in NW England. I’m involved in racing clubs and travel to watch club horses run. 

Betting for me is part of going racing so if at a meeting typically look to back a horse in every race.  I like to bet each way if an EW price and like trixies as can still get a return with one losing selection. 

I recently joined DC’s service after being recommended by a racing pal to see if I could make a profit and hopefully learn to be a better punter. 

I use my own spreadsheet P&L based on DC’s, from that I know I’m starting the week +2 points for December (+20 points in November my first month). 

Monday

Start the week with a look at DC on Patreon. No tips from DC for Monday today. Check the  UK and Ireland meetings for the week, Bangor on Friday is of interest. I might go if weather forecast is ok. Check Whats App for the two racing clubs I’m involved with nothing posted about entries or horse updates although should have a runner or two before Christmas. 

Have a quick look at racecards on DC network not getting involved today. In the afternoon receive the 30 min tip notification , oh dear, just as I’m due to drive home. Arrive home 40 mins later and see the tip 1pt @10/3, take 5/2 plus a boost. Don’t go on oddchecker due to risk of odds contracting further. Add selection to my P&L spreadsheet. 

Check DC app around 6:30pm read Cheltenham festival focus and added mentioned Kopeck de Mee to my tracker. 

Tuesday

Around 9am look at “Oh my Johnny” odds and the race on bookies app. Note slightly shortening and that fav has gone slightly odds on. Note no Non Runner’s. Read Carters Exclusive chat, have a look at Cheltenham festival hub on the DC-network, looks a useful resource. Set an alarm on my phone for few mins before racetime so can watch the race if I’m free. Checked weather forecast as Storm Bram has hit, but should be ok at Uttoxeter as storm is more northerly.

Watched our race, not to be, -1pt updated P&L.

Notification received no bets on Wednesday, that’s ok happy to wait for right opportunities. 

-1 point for the day.

Wednesday

Read Ian Raynor’s daily post while waiting for a train, (I’m off on a trip to Chester today, its good to be out after bad weather this week). 

In evening , DC’s Thursday’s bets come though, I’m straight on them and within a few minutes the bets are on both at the advised odds. It was strange doing win bets rather than each way at 12/1 and 10/1 but I’m doing as advised. Add bets to P&L. 

Thursday 

Read Carters Exclusive chat, interesting posts about back to lay and betting tools to use. Note that I could cashout the Warwick selection for an easy 2 point profit but that’s not the plan so ignore that thought. 

Set phone alarms for today’s races to remind me to watch them. 

Friday’s fixture at Bangor on Dee is abandoned due to water logging so my trip there is off. 

Started to watch our first race from a murky Punchstown then door bell goes so miss the finish!

Disappointing race at Warwick, never in contention, so no need to worry about missing a place! 

See notification about Friday and Saturdays tips. Get straight on with Friday’s tips. Picked up 2nd notification a bit later about 20 mins after sent but still got close to advised prices using two different bookies. 

-3 points for the day

Friday

Busy putting Christmas decorations this afternoon (I promised I would so couldn’t get out of it to watch racing). Saw a message about our NAP Old Park Star winning, checked and realised I had backed the wrong horse in that race! I had put my bets on quickly to try and get the advised odds. As I was short of time I didn’t check my bets, lesson learnt. 

Updated my P&L tracker in the evening notice that Excelero is a non runner.

-5 points for the day, should have been -2 points. 

Saturday 

Check odds movement on our selections, 3 shortened 1 drifted. See WhatsApp message have a racing club horse Lario entered at Ascot. Might back if declared. Busy today so not much time for racing. Saw one of my racing club horses is entered at Ascot on Friday. Did see Jordon Cross race, wow that was a close finish. Couple winners today both 2 points. 

+6 points for the day.

Sunday

No bets from DC, had a look at the Carlisle racecard but decided not to back anything. 

Read a couple of the betting education posts. Certainly made me think about why I back the horses I do, if I’m honest, the reasons are often weak. 

-3 points for the week (should have been a breakeven week, due to my Old Park Star mistake ). -1 point for the month.