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The 2025 Wokingham (Handicap) Stakes

I wouldn’t be going out on a limb by saying that betting ante-post in a race like this is absolutely pointless. That said, Commanche Falls caught the eye at Hamilton midweek. He ran into one on a serious upward curve and might not have been all out, given the betting and the ride he got. He’ll have some sort of chance, but he’s not exactly going to be much shorter on the day.
 
If only you had been around in 1982, perhaps you could have put me off backing Battle Hymn.

Unlikely, though, as I'd have been long odds-on to take about as much notice of you then as I generally am doing now. 😂

"That said," to borrow your caveat of choice, I haven't had a bet in the race yet, either.

But if you'd care to do a bit of research, we've been doing rather well with these threads this year, though I agree some are better betting mediums than others, particularly week of race markets.

"Commanche Falls has half a chance, but will be similarly priced on the day when we know ground, draw and opposition etc" is the positive interpretation of, and spin I'm putting on, your latest contribution - cheers! 😂
 
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Question for (perhaps older?) forumites - what, incidentally, did Wokingham winners Battle Hymn, Touch Of Grey and Rohaan have in common?

No googling (or you'll burn in Hell!) 😂
 
Ian_Davies said:
If only you had been around in 1982, perhaps you could have put me off backing Battle Hymn.

Unlikely, though, as I'd have been long odds-on to take about as much notice of you then as I generally am doing now. 😂

"That said," to borrow your caveat of choice, I haven't had a bet in the race yet, either.

But if you'd care to do a bit of research, we've been doing rather well with these threads this year, though I agree some are better betting mediums than others, particularly week of race markets.

"Commanche Falls has half a chance, but will be similarly priced on the day when we know ground, draw and opposition etc" is the positive interpretation of, and spin I'm putting on, your latest contribution - cheers! 😂
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You seem to go out of your way to be condescending. You're at pains to keep posting that you value no one's opinion—so why should anyone value yours?

Anyone with a betting IQ above 5 knows that betting on these handicaps on the day is a waste of time, never mind ante-post. The Ascot straight track is a variable that no man nor model can master.
 
Slim said:
You seem to go out of your way to be condescending. You're at pains to keep posting that you value no one's opinion—so why should anyone value yours?

Anyone with a betting IQ above 5 knows that betting on these handicaps on the day is a waste of time, never mind ante-post. The Ascot straight track is a variable that no man nor model can master.
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Bizarrely, I get the same impression about you.

Maybe it's the medium, maybe it's something else.

Anyway, with any luck, one day you will be old and someone younger than you will attempt to "educate" you about things you knew before they were even born.

If so, please remember this exchange and try to think kindly upon it.

I actually value lots of opinions, both here and elsewhere.

Including those from some much younger than me too - it's a foolish person who thinks they know everything and ignores the fact younger, new, thinking can bring value to the table.

But there are ways of going about expressing opinions.

I will endeavour to continue to treat others, you included, with the same respect, courtesy and consideration I feel they extend to me.

Like I said, feel free to check out these threads, they're not littered with bets into million per cent books on non runners, non triers or those ill-suited by conditions on the day - far from it.

Thank you for drawing attention to the horse you did - I'll leave it at that.
 
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I'm sure you all know things are often read in a different way to which the author intended. I must say I enjoy Ian's contributions, which have been helpful, and I have never been offended in the slightest by anything he's written. I hope you don't all fall out about this, as I was hoping we were all here to help and enourage each other - which is what I have enjoyed about this forum so far. You all have different perspectives and much of value to say.
 
Mr Whatoxo said:
I'm sure you all know things are often read in a different way to which the author intended. I must say I enjoy Ian's contributions, which have been helpful, and I have never been offended in the slightest by anything he's written. I hope you don't all fall out about this, as I was hoping we were all here to help and enourage each other - which is what I have enjoyed about this forum so far. You all have different perspectives and much of value to say.
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You're an absolute gentleman in my dealings with you and never once have I thought you posted from a position of assumed superior knowledge (implied or otherwise) to others.

I think I'm a bit of a mirror tbh - the arrogant, patronising and condescending tend to think the same of me, whereas those I consider to be courteous, polite and considerate can't begin to imagine why anyone would have an issue with me.

Takes all sorts, I guess.

Anyway, anyone else want to have a go to my Sunday Wokingham quiz question?

No googling! 😂
 
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Slim said:
Anyone with a betting IQ above 5 knows that betting on these handicaps on the day is a waste of time, never mind ante-post. The Ascot straight track is a variable that no man nor model can master.
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Going to call rubbish on both of your statements here. Firstly Ascot has very exploitable pace and draw bias over 6f and as such more than half the field can be eliminated on the day. This combined with the obvious bookie enhanced terms on the day make such races is far from a waste of time.
 
Beef or Salmon said:
Going to call rubbish on both of your statements here. Firstly Ascot has very exploitable pace and draw bias over 6f and as such more than half the field can be eliminated on the day. This combined with the obvious bookie enhanced terms on the day make such races is far from a waste of time.
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You mean the assumed bias on the day? On Tuesday they win on the far side, Wednesday they come up the near side. You’re on drugs if you think you can rule out half the field in any of those races.

And anyway, day-of-race betting is completely different from trying to guess into 99 entries now, with so many variables that can’t be calculated accurately even on the day, never mind this far out.
 
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Beef or Salmon said:
Ascot has very exploitable pace and draw bias over 6f and as such more than half the field can be eliminated on the day. This combined with the obvious bookie enhanced terms on the day make such races is far from a waste of time.
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I backed my first Wokingham winner in 1982, a progressive 3yo of Guy Harwood's called Battle Hymn, ridden by Alan Clark, number 2 to Greville Starkey at Pulborough at the time.

He was lightly raced, had clocked a time that suggested he was on a fair mark plus the weight-for-age built in, and he had a Stands' side draw which seemed no hindrance that week.

He started 16/1 and I think I got something like 25/1.

I'd be lying if I said I'd backed all 44 Wokingham winners since 😂, but the race is far from impossible in my experience and there's the choice of sacrificing monster win odds for extended places if you can get on, or taking often massive win odds on the machine.

Can't say I'm in any hurry to have a bet on this year's renewal just yet, but I saw no harm in starting a thread on it and I'm already reading some interesting views on the contest.
 
Well I have let my drug fuelled IQ of 5 lead me to have my first dabble and have landed on Kevin Ryan's Room Service 33/1 with B365, Classy sort, 4 y/o, unexposed, recent wind op and has always looked like a stiff 6f would suit. Trainer has also won this twice in recent seasons.
 
Instead of banging his against G1, 2 company. Vadream would interest me in this if he turned up.
Ran really well in the Group 1 on the Saturday at this meeting last year. Would be well handicapped on that.. 33s.
As in the Hunt Cup. Too early to be putting anything on yet.
 
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