 | 1. Richard Murphy
I've always been interested in 'beating the odds' no matter what the sport, but horse racing is by far the best betting medium for myself. The chances of making it pay are far greater in this sport than any other as there are so many variables that can put the odds in your favour. I am only interested in certain races and through a process of elimination, I settle on the best value bets of the day. Quite often there is no bet as there is no clear choice but when I have a horse several pounds clear of its nearest rival and the price is right, I go for a punt. I bet all year round with no preference for Jumps or Flat racing. Many people say that they don't bet on National Hunt Racing due to the fact that their selection may fall. I have to point out that this may happen to other horses in the race also. It's a level playing field. |
|  | 10. Will Henderson
I've been betting professionally for 13 years now. I believe in the patient and sensible approach. Serious bets don't come every day. But they do come to those that wait.
I worked with one of the top bookmakers for many years and one thing I've taken from that is to dispel the myth that "bookmakers know all". Believe me they don't they are running scared of punters on occasion and always try to ensure they win no matter what the result.
If you have a winning frame of mind- you are half-way there.
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 | 2. David Goldie
I've worked within the sports betting industry for many years and have learnt how to gain an 'edge' on the bookmakers. There is no magic 'system' or formula but you are basically betting against other punter's opinions and if you go against the crowd and you are proved correct, there can be big dividends. Most races offer poor or marginal value to the punter but on occasion it is a totally different story and this is when I decide to bet. Patience is the keyword. |
|  | 3. Eddie Blackwood
I follow a system I invented myself which has been adapted and 'fine-tuned' over the years and works all year round. I usually start at around 7am daily and go through each and every race, giving my unique race rating to each runner. I then concentrate on races where there are 2 or 3 horses that are at least ten pounds clear of their rivals and then spend an hour or so evaluating each one to see if there is a Grade 1 bet. I always back to level stakes as no bet is stronger than another. |
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 | 4. Brian Knight
There are certain races that favour the punter more than others and these are the ones I concentrate on. Most horses can be eliminated in these particular races leaving only 2 or 3 with a serious chance of winning. This makes the job so much easier.
I've made many contacts over the years but I have four in particular that are my 'bread and butter' as I know when I get a call from one of them, it's time to get serious.
Most punters can't resist betting in races that they have little or no chance of winning in. Self-discipline is essential to winning. |
|  | 5. Jon Smit-Jansen
After years of working with one of London's top stockbrokers, I decided to go it alone and bet professionally. My approach is a simple yet effective one and most importantly had stood the test of time. With the plethora of information to-hand for punters these days, you would think there would be no decent value bets. But if an opinion is a particularly strong one and turns out to be an incorrect one which punters have followed, there are opportunities to be had.
This year I have set myself a record profit target and I am already on the way to achieving it. |
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 | 6. Juan Guerrero
I am a firm believer in good value. A 6-4 shot can be good value if it has nothing to beat but it is those at the higher end of the market that interest me mostly. Winning at betting is psychological and the same principles must be applied no matter which sport you are getting involved in.
I learnt my 'trade' with one of the biggest names in racing. A fearless punter who's name strikes fear into bookmakers even to this day. My betting operation is all year round but it's the summer that seems to really bring out the best opportunities. |
|  | 7. Jeff Whyte
For many years I went about betting in completely the wrong way, following the days big gambles as if they had to be inspired by the 'right' people. There are many reason that horses get well backed and it doesn't always have anything to do with their actual chance in the race! It can be sometimes that they are pushing out the price of the horse they really want to get involved with.
I have studied the markets for decades and have formulated a plan that provided regular montly profits by backing the 'right' animals.
I am upping the stakes this year and expect to do some serious damage to the bookmakers pockets! |
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 | 8. Paul Wong
My speed ratings have been well documented and they are the basis of all of my betting plans. A horse will replicate a decent speed figure if given similar conditions again and it's amazing how flawed the betting market is sometimes.
Slowly-run races cannot provide an accurate guide as to a horse's ability but when a horse puts in a decent time and an above average figure it can be no fluke and its the most reliable yardstick.
I usually bet around 10 to 15 times per month and all will be horses that have similar conditions to those in which it achieved its best figure. |
|  | 9. Jim Archer
I'd be surprised if there is anyone in the business with a bigger network of contacts than myself after 45 years in the business. When I get a call from one of my 'A' sources, I know its time to get the money on.
I retired from work-riding a number of years back but I still keep in touch with friends in the business including some of the shrewdest judges in the UK and Ireland.
I tend to concentrate on relatively unexposed animals that I know have bags of improvement in them and are likely to go off at much bigger prices than they would if the general public knew all about them. |
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