Having second thoughts

I’ve had a frustrating couple of days. Buoyed by my win, and with time on my hands at work, I had a little wager on most races on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons.

The good news is that I didn’t lay horses blind to win a couple of quid, while risking more than £100 (well, not too often). The bad news is that I lost a high proportion of the bets that I placed.

Wednesday wasn’t a disaster, as I lost only £30. But Thursday was a highly frustrating day. Basically, I had a quick look at the Racing Post website, then backed either the favourite or second favourite in each race. And I got it wrong every time.

My bets were: £5 at 2.3 (2nd); £6 at 1.92 (2nd); £3 at 2.5 (pulled up); £5 at 2.5 (2nd); £6 at 2.27 (2nd); £3 at 2.64 (4th); and £11 at 2.76 (5th).

For a little diversity, I also laid a favourite at 2.26 for £5. Naturally, it won. I should have known it wasn’t going to be my day when I laid an outsider for £3 at 9.6. As I sat watching my screen, the price drifted out to 25.0. The horse was clearly tailed off, so I went to the toilet, safe in the knowledge that I had recouped £3. When I got back to my desk, I was aghast to discover that it had won – and I had lost £25.60.

I lost another £20 on the evening racing. Rather than laying no-hopers in running, my losses dictated that I backed outsiders, as the returns are significantly higher. But I didn’t get close.

As I totted up my losses for the day, I checked out the result for the horse that was tailed off but somehow cost me £25.60. It had been miles behind its rivals in fifth place, when all four leaders fell at the same fence, leaving it to plod home in its own time.

When your luck’s out, it’s out. And my luck is out to the tune of £100 in two days. Ouch

Running total: getting smaller