Very interesting thread and set of videos. I certainly take advantage of some early prices during the weekend after Cheltenham and reinvest some of the winnings - even during the week itself if something for the following season seems obvious. It does make me think I am probably a little too scattergun with approach, but has worked for the past 3-4 years overall. Not mega % profit but enough to make it well worthwhile when added to the enjoyment factor. Never really thought about creating a book per race - my main concern with this is whether it would take some of the fun away? I like picking winners and feeling like I am somehow beating the machine by doing it early with big prices, creating a book seems to be like a mini P/L account as a business? Don’t get me wrong I am tempted for some of the obvious races and may try next year. Equally never do ew antepost as those couple of winners more than covers the scattergun approach, but certainly change approach in the big handicaps closer to the day with better place offers - but I can see the argument on races such as the Arkle and NH Chase that cut up to less than 8 runners.
really great work and has already got me in the mood - especially as the last few months have been very quiet for me as I don’t give a shit about the flat!
Very good question about would it take the fun away.
Obviously that's a totally personal thing so can't answer for anyone, in my own experience though is .... kind of!
I think it was 3 seasons ago, I found the whole festival to be a bit like a big admin task and transaction... it was positive still, was up, (obv) but the whole thing felt a bit underwhelming. I think it was the year we couldn't attend though, so I was mainly just watching the race, then updating the spreadsheet... and when you have every runner covered in some races that just is a bit more of a bore than it was fun.
However, the feeling of knowing you're up regardless is still pretty fun... knowing you're about to win is still fun... just a different kind of fun. By the time the festival comes around (or a few races have been run at least) the risk is all gone really, the risk comes and the fun for me IS the build up, just as much as the event. So the high from a win is lessened if before the race there is no risk to counter it (if that makes sense) ... still does from doubles and multiples, but a full book approach would be less 'fun' on the day...
What I would say though,is spending 6 months a year, on here every day, that is part of the fun.... and book building keeps that at the forefront on my mind and me so active, so I'd argue I have more fun all year that 'the average' out of Cheltenham Ante Post, but it's less of a peak during the actual week than others may have?
Again, all completely individual but that's my thoughts on that.