Hey all, another newbie here. I've been following the forum for a while now and just wanted to say a big thank you for all the great info on here. Managed to get a few nice prices as a result on the likes of Samcro, Annamix, and Apples Shakira and even followed in on the mighty Calet Mad. Of course they all have to make it(half the battle), which begs a question I haven't seen discussed in the last few months. Does anybody have an opinion on what percentage of an AP price is related to any horse getting to the Festival fit and healthy? And I assume this percentage would reduce the closer you get to the festival? Anyway I'd be interested in any thoughts.
Welcome RC :encouragement:
It is a very good point to raise, and my honest opinion is that I probably DON'T factor it in. If a horse is 'fragile' or 'returning from injury' or 'had problems' or 'missed races/festival' before, I definitely consider that when I look at the price of a horse. For example, I have £0 staked on Faugheen that isn't a free bet or was put on NRNB when that brief offer was up, and I wouldn't, unless he was a ridiculous price (like say, 12/1 - which he just wouldn't be at any stage).
A horse like Cause of Causes, who has turned up now for 5 festivals, IS a horse I would put my £'s on at this stage... the way I'd look at a horse like CoC being a NR (touched wood) is that if he doesn't run, it isn't anything I could have predicted.
I have seen much more experienced punters than me on other parts of the internet put up cases for what price a horse should be to 'turn up' and I have to admit I think there is enough information that we have and base our opinions on without having to worry about such (what to me) is a huge unknown.
I had loads of Vautour in the any race market early in the season when he was fatally injured in the field... I had backed SS at 5/1 before he got retired. In hindsight, the first bet I am comfortable with, the 2nd is one of the worst bets I've placed.... and I definitely should have considered SS's past, compared to Vautours - despite both in essence, being worth the same, minus figure, at the end of the festival.
So in answer to you direct questions, I try now to consider each horse individually on its liklihood of being a bigger price now than SP, (factoring in targets/injuries/etc etc) and would struggle to have an exact percentage or rule for it .... however, very welcome to be talked around if anybody can explain it well?