Lessons learned

[Runragged]

Very rarely back each way without a NRMB concession. In many instances it can be hard to predict which race a horse is going even when we have trainer quotes etc at the start of the season. Things change and can continue to do so all the way up to declaration day. That's not to say there are not the odd occasion where it is worth the risk at a massive price, but early on I don't see the risk/reward being there.

Putting it into financial/points terms. If you bet 1pt win @ 50/1, it wins you get 51pts back, back it 0.5pt e/w and it's 31pts. Obviously, if it places you get nothing with a win bet, but if it does place you have 5.5pts back, equivalent to a 9/2 winner, but 14.5pts less if it was to win. When you also factor in all the risks attached with injury and going different races then I think you would benefit more sticking to win only unless NRMB.

[Faugheen_Machine]

Personally I think e/w is only useful if you are book building

As someone who usually backs 2 or 3 horses for the races i would always rather have 1pt win on 2 horses than back 1 e/w

if i was to back both each way I'd be doubling my outlay or halving my win

something that i could only see dropping my overall return in the long run

your either doubling the hit when a horse goes elsewhere or injured or you are halving a win when it lands

that's always how iv seen it anyway

I guess if I was getting most of the runners backed I'd want to be not only getting the winner but also fill the places to maintain my profit margin

That's how I see it too. There are occasions where I'll back each way ante post (where I can see the race cutting up as example) but it's the exception rather than the rule for me.

[Istabraq]

I know plenty of serious punters who bet win only ante post, similarly plenty of punters will play (day of race) ew down to 9/4, personally I look to build a portfolio of ew multi's to press my singles so I do think there's a place for playing ew.

I've had a fairly average couple of years with ante post, NRs have been a killer, but having snared Bob Olinger at 50s and adding in a patent with Dinoblue (with a NR) and having an open patent Bob Olinger 50s with The Lion in Winter 6/1 in the Guinneas (with a NR) there is a chance my overall ante post book yields a profit.
I think you do whats comfortable for you, I'm happy writing off a bunch of bets by Christmas but I want to be heading into Cheltenham week holding a few potential jackpot opportunities so accept there's a cost to pay for them, really is a case of each to their own...

[Faugheen_Machine]

I know plenty of serious punters who bet win only ante post, similarly plenty of punters will play (day of race) ew down to 9/4, personally I look to build a portfolio of ew multi's to press my singles so I do think there's a place for playing ew.

I've had a fairly average couple of years with ante post, NRs have been a killer, but having snared Bob Olinger at 50s and adding in a patent with Dinoblue (with a NR) and having an open patent Bob Olinger 50s with The Lion in Winter 6/1 in the Guinneas (with a NR) there is a chance my overall ante post book yields a profit.
I think you do whats comfortable for you, I'm happy writing off a bunch of bets by Christmas but I want to be heading into Cheltenham week holding a few potential jackpot opportunities so accept there's a cost to pay for them, really is a case of each to their own...

It probably does come down to personal preference. I hate backing a NR each way and not getting a run for my money, while doubling my loss.

[robith]

Actually one thing I've learnt - I've been skeptical before, thought he'd bounce back this year, but I'm not sure Gordon Elliot is a win concern at Cheltenham much any more

[Benjy23]

I'm not convinced by that to be honest. He got very close to winning a few. And Brighterdaysahead was probably the only one that dramatically under performed expectations.

Certainly wouldn't have it as a hard rule.

Might as well rule out everyone but Mullins as a starting point mind

[Quevega]

I think with Elliot horses I have mostly avoided backing early as he has them out earlier than the better horses of Mullins.
He often puts them away after Christmas so there is usually plenty of time to cover them as they slowly slip down the ranks - assuming you still fancy them.
Apart from the odd handicapper I find I back his as saver bets mostly.
was sweet on stellar story though and like him as an outsider for the gold cup next year.
They went no gallop in the banc which won’t have helped him.
liked bda obviously but worried about her going forwards for Cheltenham so won’t back her for anything next year

[archie]

Gordon was very public about Wodhooh being his best handicap chance and stuck to his guns even after Willie's handicap blot was declared. He blotted his copybook by sending BDA to the wrong race, probably the last time that the O'Learys will let him change their plans, but you only hit the bullseye with straight arrows.

[Quevega]

Gordon was very public about Wodhooh being his best handicap chance and stuck to his guns even after Willie's handicap blot was declared. He blotted his copybook by sending BDA to the wrong race, probably the last time that the O'Learys will let him change their plans, but you only hit the bullseye with straight arrows.

You think BDA would have won the mares running like that ?
And her performance was simply down to the trip ?

The Mares were quicker than the champion from four out, she'd have just got stuffed in a different race.
And it would have been even more embarrassing for connections.