Bet365 – £200
Betclic
BetVictor – £25
Bwin – £25
Ladbrokes – £50
Paddy Power – £50
Pinnacle
Sportingbet – £100
Stan James – £150
Unibet – £20
William Hill – £25
Just typing this blog up on a rather caffeine fuelled Birthday, my old darts captain (Merv the swerve – see pictures, he has the ‘tache!) would describe my age as “thirty-two, the noo”! Been smacking into far too many diet cokes, and Dr Pepper’s over the last few days as attended a company bowling outing (won by business partner Alex!) and then a mob of us went to the 2nd evening of the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
I pointed out to some of the guys that there used to be a race track there, but I think they were too pissed to hear!
Anyhow the blog’s title is “Cheerio, cheerio, cheerio” because this is the football chant sung by the exuberant and inimitable crowd at the darts, and along with other things from Friday’s excellent night it’s been ricocheting around my coconut! I intended to comment about the trend away from Silver Rings in the wake of Newbury taking the decision to close their cheapest enclosure.
Ascot's Silver Ring is far right of picture.
Having a quick glance at the title I must confess that I didn’t want to suggest that race fixers inhabited the lower race course enclosures, simply another failing of my general English writing skills. Sadly I will be doubtful to ever have the ability of someone like the excellent David Ashforth, whose annual “Grab a Grand” I have been very much enjoying in this weeks Racing Post. My favourite line in his charting of this year’s punting downfall was “out of the Placepot and into the fire”. Bryan is going to be writing about the jockeys and owners banned this week, expect to see the blog next week.
Back to the Newbury Silver Ring enclosure, and Ascots commitment to only maintain their cheap enclosure for the Royal meeting. I have to say that my views on this are mixed. On one side I appreciate that it very much flies in the face of the stated aims of the “Racing for Change” agenda that is supposed to be sweeping through our sport. But fundamentally I take the view that [perhaps unfortunately] race tracks are private businesses, and decisions have to be made based on monetary principles.
Newbury took the view that closing the Silver Ring was the right decision for their business, on the flip side of the coin Towcester offers free entry for nearly every meeting. I guess the proof of the pudding will be in the eating.
With the notable exception of some of the bigger football clubs most sports are in the curious position of feeling owned by the public, but actually belong to the shareholders. It was a body blow that at the time moved me to tears (silly being so emotional I do concede) when the GRA took the decision to close Catford with no prior warning in 2003. Five years later the Chandler family chose to take the money for Walthamstow, I had to see that from their shoes it was a business decision. On a side note hopefully the Save our Stow campaign will one day open the track again, though their challenge is immense.
It’s a shame for Berkshire silver ring attendees. I appreciate some people prefer the rough and tumble picnic atmosphere of racings economy class enclosure. Racings appeal partly lies in the ability to attract people with varying depths of pockets, and in its capability to offer a leisure experience to people whose expectations of a day out are different. I have personally always preferred to be in the centre of the action, and have always gravitated to the main ring at the horse races, or the winning post “main” enclosure at the dogs.
Anyhow, looking forward to next week, if it races I am off to Plumpton on Monday. My lovely wife treated me to a new pair of “bins” so looking forward to hopefully tracking a winner or two! Bryan was at Navan today, also wish him the best in his eternal battle against the bookies!
Chris and Alex at Alexandra Palace Darts World Championship
I have been involved in the betting industry since the late 90’s and have in that time worked for a on course bookmaker (at now much missed Catford Dogs), spent time at a leading spread betting company, and worked for Betfair in their two year start-up phase.
In 2007 I co-founded iGaming supplier Hyperion Gaming with long suffering business partner Alex Lafferty. Approaching five years trading, this business employs a dozen great staff, and frees me up to engage more time into my passion of racing!
I hope to pass on some inherited wisdom, and the occasional tip that should hopefully put you on to a winner!
Being involved in the industry for so long has given me a good understanding of the wonderful world of online gambling, and I put great effort into giving honest reviews and opinions that can be trusted.
