Jumps are where the Punters Punt

Love jumps or hate them but this is where the money goes ...

www.racingpost.com/news/latest/big-and-g...betting-races/361866

As far as Cheltenham none of my early fancies have changed

Altior still the banker for the festival, 6/10 might be a short price, but this is the real deal.

Angels Breath highly rated and 7/1 worth an early stab

Buveur Dair after shock defeat worth sticking with at 18/10

Apples Jade back to best 14/10 hard to beat

Good punting

This is a very interesting article. I cannot resist the temptation to share some of my theories as to the 'why'.

1.) Jump racing still presents itself primarily as an inclusive 'sport' whereas flat racing (at the higher levels ) is more akin to a closed shop dominated by various shades of international royalty and/or owners with enough money to fund our GDP. As a result there are very few private owners of limited means who find themselves lining up in an Epsom Derby or Arc.

2.) Comparatively jump racing seems to have dozens (if not hundreds ) of very small owners. It is enthusiastic smaller owners (rather like small businesses which 'create jobs') who surround themselves with friends, families and supporters and foster the spirit of racing & the pleasure of ownership whilst following 'their' horse. Conversely industrial strength flat owners tend to 'work the numbers' in search of the next superstar that can be turned into a breeding proposition and not very much more.

3.) For obvious reasons jump racing incorporates more uncertainty (fallers!) when contemplating a punt yet the market inevitably serves as a relatively accurate guide. Throw in Timeform (which I find has an almost uncanny ability to evaluate ability) and it becomes eminently possible to find a steady stream of winners at huge prices that will never hurt you even if they get beaten.

4.) As a spectacle there is no comparison. Jump fans don't have to suffer the mind numbingly tedious process of 'loading' a field of 15 ( which might take 2-3 minutes ) for a race with a running time of 56 seconds........

Overall there is a lot more time spent in actual racing and all of the timing, positioning, scares, thrills and tactics that this involves.

5.) Jumps courses also tend to provide more variety; whether it be the hills and valleys of Cheltenham & Exeter or the relatively flat surfaces of Kempton & Ascot. (One of the reasons why racing in South Africa lost its appeal for me is the sheer boredom of our tracks after Milnerton, Gosforth Park & Clairwood closed).

Given that our operator relentlessly pursues profitability it amazes me that they discriminate so willfully against jump racing on the flimsy rationale that 'it takes too long'. The cost of flighting a jump race must be negligible when compared against funding a local race yet they would far rather block a scheduled jump race whilst yet another local runner is being re-shoed or has bolted..........

The day they flighted the first UK races (both flat & jumps) was the beginning of the end for me with SA racing. Nothing has changed since then to change my mind. I can't wait for my last horse to retire so that I can pull the plug for good.