F. A. Q.

In the FAQ below, the grand betting opportunity provided by low grade jump racing is referred to. I would add in advance that it is also tremendous, unpretentious fun. Sometimes of a wet and cold variety, but always fun. 

WHENCE CAME UK-JUMPING?

At the start of the 1996/7 jumps season, Midweek Money-Spinners was first published as a inexpensive horse to follow guide for runners at the small tracks. Two further annual editions followed, when the contents were narrowed to avoid horses trained at big yards

WHY TARGET THESE COURSES & HORSES?

I had suspected for a while that at the gaffe tracks small yards' horses were being over-priced when competing against the lesser lights of more famous trainers and that there was money to made on the right occasion. Conversations with a couple of on-course bookmakers who regularly bet at these meetings confirmed that that this theory was not just wild speculation.

WERE THEY FOLLOWED BLINDLY?

No. The extra factor seemed to be ensuring that the horses were running in the correct conditions. In adversity a class horse becomes ordinary, but an ordinary horse rarely is able to overcome the limitations placed on it's ability to perform.  Go to the courses page for a listing of the course characteristics.

WHAT RESULTS WERE ACHIEVED?

Quite good. The following list applies to runners at the small tracks in conditions specified as suitable.

1996/7   139 runs   41 wins   75.3 point level stake profit (54%)

1997/8   105 runs   30 wins   41.1 point level stake profit (39%)

1998/9   96 runs   22 wins   26.9 point level stake profit (28%)

total   340 runs   93 wins   143.3 point level stake profit (42%)

In fact, a profit was accidentally shown each season at the major tracks, due to the occasional big price winner and selection of the odd horse that turned out to be a bit better than expected, including from 96/7 Niki Dee, from 97/8 Celtic Giant & from 98/9 Looks Like Trouble

WHY SWITCH TO THE WEB?

To keep the information on the selections up to date, a six month update was sent out. This added to cost and time, and was itself potentially out of date quickly. Regular web updates were the most efficient.

WHICH ARE THE SMALL COURSES?

It is easier to list the courses excluded. They are Aintree, Ascot, Ayr, Cheltenham, Chepstow, Doncaster, Haydock, Kempton, Newbury, Newcastle, Sandown and Wetherby. Some of these stage fairly unexceptional meetings but it was easier to establish a blanket exclusion. The exception is from May to September when any jump meetings at these venues are deemed not to be targeted at the top of the tree horses.

This selection criteria has been adhered to even though the changing nature of the fixture list has often seen selections run at qualifying tracks but in races of grade and prize money in excess of the 'small' race theme's envisaged limits.