I’m sure it’s true (it certainly is with me) that apart from looking for profitability in a system or method, each punter is also looking for one that somehow fits in with his general view of punting. Or, in other words, it suits his temperament. For example, some punters are interested in the importance of numbers, and therefore to them all kinds of rating figures are very significant. And there are lots of such figures around. These can be for speed, ability, weight, official ratings – or whatever. I suppose Timeform ratings originated by Phil Bull away back in 1948 are still the most highly regarded, but they are comparatively expensive. In the daily press the Formcast figures in The Daily Mail are usually considered to be about the tops, with their black spot top rating of 78 forming the basis of many worth-while systems. I’ll perhaps return to some of these in a future issue. Incidentally, good as these Formcast ratings are, I’ve never been able to work out how that top figure of 78 is arrived at, the same top figure in every kind of race. Another thing. Short of buying the newspaper I haven’t been able to find a way of accessing these Formcast ratings, and let’s face it, not everybody is prepared tobuy The Daily Mail every day!
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