Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

“Didnt we have a lovely time the day we went to Bangor.”
A Beutiful day we had lunch on the way all for under a £1 you know.
I realise that the Bangor spoken of wasnt the racecourse by Wrexham, but why spoil a great tale for a little untruth.as the Bangor of the song is in Country Mayo West Ireland. and not far from the sea.
This war time song, however reminds me of the period of the 1950s when teams of Bookmakers would start off for there trip to, this wonderful National Hunt race course, with years of history, and great fun for having a day out.
All the family would get into our motor car an Austin Ruby, 2 in front and 4 in back sitting on each others laps. Grown up,s below and Kids on top.
There were plenty of dangers on the way. and any strong wind and the flimsy car would be blown over but in my case there were other dangers to confront. as a 12 year old I was still in short trousers, my uncle a heavy smoker threw his cigerette end, out of the front window, only for it to blow back in the rear..
Straight up my trouser leg, and with my parents smacking me hard in my crutch area intending to put the thing out, the car went on its merry way. this continued for what seemed to be ages, before one of the more intelegent members decided to stop the car and strip, me of my pants, and in so doing removing the cigerette still alight.
The first degree burn were confined to a very small area, fortunatly, the pain only lasted for a month, the scar, however still remains to this day, confirming that a day out at Bangor is not always so wonderful. but i still take look when bathing, and all the great memoiries come flooding back.
The track itself is very nice with the tatersalls enclosure, standing on a plateau high above the racecourse allowing great views, of the last 3 jumps,
Historically Bangor is mentioned as the course that our finest jockey Fred Archer rode his first winner, not you may think in some small pony race or a cheap selling plate, but in fact it was a 3 mile Chase.
Archer the same age as I was when seriously wounded by a half smoken Players No 1. Fred Archer in his case was more lucky, scott free, taking every jump. in a style that made many watchers agree that here was a very good lad. one with a great racing future. and that future was as a Champion Flat jockey.for many years.
How a 12 year old lad came to ride in a steeplechase I am not sure but the owner of the horse Maid of Trent was happy to take the word of a racing expert.
“If you are looking for a lad to ride any of your chasers Madam I have the very one to ride for you”
Weighing out at the unbeleavable weight of 4st 11 lb, a weight that many of our Macdonald reared Kids, today reach before they are 3.
So a jockey who rode more winners in his time than any other than Gorden Richards, had a great future ahead of him, before puting a gun to his own head, historians blame strict dieting the cause.
A few days ago I was invited to a local barbeque were the conversation bored with talking about swine flue, moved to my pet subject the Sport of Kings, (Queens)
A local wiz kid, who had put his finger up to our Credit Crunch. and was doing great, selling cheap goods on ebay, so cheap that only the postage charges was the profit. great idea, that even Lord Rothchild or today the panel of the Apprentice would have been proud,of.
In stead of selling cheap. and stocking high, this youngish lad was selling at no profit. and yet was earning a fortune.
He had a staff of 10 and decided to take the words of our ww1 song about having a day out at Bangor literally.he was a racehourse owner and when his trainer told him that he had entered his Chaser at Bangor, what better than a day out for his loving staff.also.
3 cars, new mercs took off at 9.30 for the two and half, hour trip up the north west to Bangor stopping off at Witchurch for a pre arranged breakfast.
All 14, arrived at the track and were shown by the course manager to a bar room, for there entertainment. not the best facilities as Bangor is the only racecourse in the UK without a grandstand.
The horses owner and his wife , loved every moment of the day out at the races.and so did the staff.
when they entered the parade ring to see there lovely, chaser they had all entered into the full fun of the experience wearing blue and yellow coloured ribbons, the same colour as the horses jockey, a tendency that was most popular during the 1850,s. but died out of late.
The horses trainer, informed them all that he expected a great run from the horse even though it was no world beater.
They all scurried off to place there little bets, some not wanting others to know there stake, not wanting to be deemed as small fry.
there were many Bookmakers at the popular track, both inside tattersalls and a few outside in the cheap enclosure.
The noise when there horse who was lying in 4th place at the last fence received a great pick me up when one of the leaders fell. so loud the chearing became that regulars at this popular course looked towards the small group. with disdain. others enjoying the site of obvious new comers to this great sport. just smiled.
There horse had finished 3rd and received more pats than you would see at an Irish Derby meeting.
The wine flowed extensivly over the next two hours before they made there way home. to the midlands.
All of them agreed that they had indeed had a wonderful day the day they went to Bangor.

At the Barbeque I was surrounded when it became known that I was a retired Bookmaker.
When I mentioned that I had attended Bangor meetings from 1948 to 2002, right up to the day I retired.
They seemed to be exited as if they were back, on the course I entered the fun, of the day even singing the Day at Bangor for them much better than the usual “I did it my way” by some Frank look a like.
After a while one little women, not much heavier that Fred Archer at his prime, spoke to me she was very articulate,and friendly.
“Would you explain to us, something that we have not been able to conclude. ever since our day out”. and that is how our winnings were calculated with the tote and the Bookmakers. we all seemed to have differing amounts. and we fail to see how they were created.
After 55 years in the gambling profeshion one thing I could do was calculate a bet.
Of course I will.
Firstly I explained that an Eachway bet, was two bets, one to win. and the other to place.
I wasnt aware of the result so I had to look on someones computor for the full result.
The horse was 3rd in the 12 runner Handicap Chase. and its Starting price a very nice 33/1.
so there winning place was at 8.1/4 to 1.
A £10 Eachway showing a £72.50. net profit.
I was amazed by the differeing amounts they claimed to have received.
One poor Gal who had decided to place her £2 with the racecourse Tote and expected that the chearing was so loud that it represented a small lottery win. was not so fortunate when she pocketed only a £5 for her pains.
We then came to the bets placed with the racecourse Bookmakers. after a few moments I was wishing that I had not entered into this debate. in fact it was getting a little heated.
One guest happened to be the maths head at the local school. so I decided to make him the leader of there pack, in no time he had me stumped.
How is it he wanted to know could a winning client, receive differing amounts although the stake was the same.
I stood up protecting my old Bookmaker friends from the various names they were being called as it was obvious that I had al the answers,
My statement that perhaps the racegoers had received different prices, failed to gain support when the old women produced the receipt.
The Bookmaker who had taken her bet kindly, gave her the receipt, when she explained that it was her first day at the races and her very first bet. he was a gent she stated.
On the slip. it clearly showed that she had placed her £5 Eachway, at 40/1 and had recieved £55.00
I explained that 1/4 of the winning price was 10/1 so £5 x 10 was £50 plus her £5 stake, she smiled Wonderful. that what I was told.
I was so pleased that I decided to have another Bacardie and Coke.
However there were a few others not so passive. I could tell by the look on her husbands face, that all was not complete. standing behind this man were 3 others all with a similar look on there faces.

OK. give me you bets and I will work them all out for you.
£5 Eachway at 25/1 I begen nodding my head in sorrow explaining that he had not been so fortunate as his wife. gaining a much inferior price,
Yes he explained with a smirk that Bernard Madoff Scam artist would have been proud of.
This man was not a confidance trickster but the person he had placed his bet with certainly was.
The £5 Win at 25/1 was clear enough but the place return should have been 5,1/4 to 1. a return for his stake unlike his wife, should have been , £36.25. but when I looked at the return it was only. £25.75.
I was astounded the Maths teacher asked for an explanation as to why the fraction was different between the two bets, allowing for the differing price he asked why the fraction of 4 differed in the place returns,

i had to take a large gulp. of my iced drink. I could see what had occured and after no time I collected all the receipts (5) after a small calculation decided to pay them the difference I thought that would be the end of the matter, the whole lot didnt come to more than £20 and I was pissed and in a good mood.

After the garden party ended I walked the short distance home and made clear notes as to the short fall, from the bets, you could see that 2 of the bets had been calculated at 1/5th the odds and the others at a rip roaring 6th.
This was the worst disgrace I have known in 55 years how do the racecourse Bookmakers expect to
create good will civility and promt payment, doing this sort of thing. one thing I can say is that the price odds that have stood for over 50 years, i fact races of less than 8 runners were calculated at 1/3 of the win odds 1/2 places. in that time I have never known any bookmaker on course or in the high street, were bound to fixed place terms.
My telephone call the next day to the NJPC the authority for what goes on at racecourses. took place before 9.30. and I waisted no time requesting an explanation.

” Bookmakers on a racecourse can now do what they like as long as the sign on there boards, show the terms that they are offering.
But they cant pay 1/6th odds a place in a 12 runner handicap can they.??????

The telephone went a liitle quite

“Its not the worse case on our records that is 1/9th.”
And the answer to your question is yes they can….
1/9th a place. you must be joking I was astounded.

The words to the song, about having a great day out at Bangor, will have to be re writen. however Debbie Cook the song writer has long been gone.

I have kept in touch with the owner of the horse and have been invited to attend there next, day out at the races, so I can pay a little attention to the well being of my new found friends, it is Bangors loss however as they have chosen Ludlow, for there next outing.
I do understand that there are a few times that certain races represent very bad trading terms for Bookmakers and they do not wish to bet at a loss leader, and like all buisness men they are not expected to. but they know that on most occasions, they have the power to adjust the win odds to make there place terms safe, and that the punter has to have 2 bets the win and place, and I can only assume that there is planty of profit in the win book, and if not then why???
What a very few are doing by raping the unwary of there rightfull returns, is reducing future attendance at that course. for certain.
If they expect to compete with the high street, internet and exchange operators, they better think it out again. like Fagan in Oliver.sang.
I waish all fellow racecourse Bookmakers and punters alike the very best of wishes. but like the old corner shop. I can only see then serviving another 10 years if the get there house in order, and be a little fairer to there clients. or take my word you are all doomed.

Cubone.

That horse racing saying goes back 3oo years but is it true, Next sunday I will invite my grand kids to dinner but if the ask me how I did at Royal Ascot, I will not be able to repeat the heading, the reason is would have been the end of a ASCOT FESTIVAL. and although the majority of racecourses the saying is true, ASCOT it is certainy not.
Royal Ascot is a law to itself.
You certainly could not say it is equal for all class structures.
Ascot is the last of the Formal Dress sporting dress occasions in the world.
But this coming week is certainly different from any other the 3rd week in June, it is of course the greatest festival of the HORSE in the world.
Other county,s may claim. there particular, week. as the greatest, festival of Horse racing, and no doubt there are some wonderful weeks in the USA, Ireland, and even France, but without causing fear or favour
ASCOT WEEK is the “FESTIVAL” no other can compete..
Just to see the shape and beauty of the runners during this week both human and equine,i s enough, to convince you of what I say, but as some snotty nosed vagrant, born in one of the worst slumbs in the UK. Ascot overawed me, I actually felt. that I had no right to be there.as a lad.
When I read Pygmalian, as a teenager and then in the 60s watched the film My Fair Lady. I was fascinated by the whole event,
And when I saw Eliza in the Royal Enclosure Shout “Goo On Rover move your Bloomin Arse” I thought I would love one day to go to ascot and be allowed in the Royal Enclosure.
After years of doing so. I realise that Eliza was a one off. because if you ever want to see. the three class,s “Upper, Middle” and Working ” in there full glory you must go to a Royal Ascot Meeting.
When the Romans invaded Britian in 55 BC, this was the first real snob culture we in this great country ever witnessed.
Any one who has ever seen Pathe News footage of Bendito Mussolini, in the 1930.s making his great speeches, would get a feel for what is ment by Snobishness.
When the Romans settled, they wanted to show not only they were a greater class, than the Celts, but that there horses were also better. quality.
So after building great roads they created areas for sport, so that they could rub our noses in the British dirt.
During the reigns of Henry 11 and later King John, in the late 12th Centry, horse racing began to be part of our pastime, Hunting and Horse breeding began to take hold, and any King worth his salt also had great stables of Classy racers.
James the first in 1603-25 began to get the game organised, he made a great effort to make it a spectator sport, so that not only was he happy to show he was a KING he also had the greatest horses that money could buy.
This was the start of the Royal interest in horse Racing.
Charles the second actually rode in matches between, himself and anyone wealthy enough to be challenge.him.
Queen Ann inaugarated the first Royal Ascot meeting in 1711. only a few attended that day not because lack of interest, but Ann had decided that Horse Racing was her favourite Sport, so after driving over a piece of common ground she thought that was was perfect.for what she had in mind.
The title of ROYAL ASCOT derives from the most glorious feature and only the Romans could have thought this one up.
Although they had gone back to Rome, by the time Ann arranged the
ROYAL PROCESSION.
Only a snob of the very worst sort would arrange for a circular track to be arranged a mile or two from her Castle at Windsor, fence it off from, all but special people, create a Path from Windsor to Ascot, and every day of this race meeting, 9 coaches, with the Royals in there very best silks would travel from there front door to there special box in her Royal enclosure.
In 1814 after Napoleon got his come upence. at Waterloo,there were riots as the coaches approuched the track. Prince Regent, and his many drunken friends, were bustled in a fit of exitement by the ordinary folk.
A special enquiry was set up. to make sure that this occurance never happened again
When the Prince came to the throne, in 1820. he arranged that the cortege would comprise of 8/9 carrages each drawn by four bays, the Sovereign rode in the last carrage accompanied by special guests.
Huntsmen Postillions, Footmen, Equerries, and a few Private Detectives. made the most wonderful site, you will ever see, all Pomp and Glory.
Royal Ascot may have been modified over the years, and costs may have cut it down to 4 Landaus, but The Royal Family and there guests, drawn by footmen dressed in Purple Gold and Scarlet Livery still shows of the Class structure of the British Isles.
Ever since the event became a yearly dish, the French have tried at every turn to seek a way to compete, and there is no doubt that there horses, have offerd a very strong challenge but they cant beat the Royal Procession, that is something no one can.
Even the Arabs who now dominate Horseracing or the Irish, who run them a close second, no one can compete with the Pomp and Glory that we inhearted from the Romans. only the Maffia ever came near.
As far as the racing goes, Grand National and Derby Day may be popular by the mass,s as there Day.
They still attend the ROYAL MEETING in there attempt, to be accepted, as equal.
But when they arrive at Ascot, you can cut the Snobbery with a Stanley Knife.
The Royal Enclosure is not what it used to be, how may people will attend in ill fitted frock coats, that will be vetted by hundreds of flunkies parked at every enterance to the Royal Enclusures. no Jeans, or trouser suits, for women, only special dress, unless you are in the cheaper enclosures, still known as the CHEAP Enclosure, that alone could only be dreamt up by us Brits. although cheap is not a word that would be allowed to be used during this week.
Every Day, will be a brilliant Pagentary, of the past.
But if the Prince Regent, thought that the public drunk to much, during the 1814 meeting, what he would think this week I would love to know,
Every night from 7.0 onwards a mass of cleaners will get the enclosures ready for the following day, a tone of French Letters, will find there way into some Land Fill. not the sort, transported by British Mail I may add. I dont think we should blame the French for this matter. as the first real rubber was made by Goodyear well before the heavy duty used on our motor ways.
This year the two great sites firstly at the start The Royal Procession and lastly the most wonderfull
Music event by a Royal Millitary Band playing from a raised Band Stand, at the back of the main Stand will produce gallans of real tears. from real UK. folk. Upper Middle and Working. and in fact it will be the one thing that will unite us all together, this week, tears tast the same salty.and allow us to forget our station in life. but to remember all our old loved ones from the past.
So if there is anyone who wishes to see every think that is good and bad in 4/5 hours per day only 4 days, then attend the Greatest Festival on Earth.
During my 35 years of attendance I have seen the lot.
I have seen Prince Monolulu the 1940/60 racecourse Tipster, make any Royal Snob. grunt in disbelief.
when he called over to his side a Prince with the word,s “here you are guvner, you can have a tip for free, as I beleave that things are a little hard at the Palace. at present.”
That would have caused a month in the Tower in the past.
I will never forget one year when I was Betting at the end of Tattersalls, well away from the Royal Enclosure a visitor from the USA button holed me for a little history lesson about his day out.

“This is amazing all this pagentry, it is as if you all know each other, Rich and Poor,.”
I told him that in a few moments the Queen will look over this way and wave to me”

“I dont think that will happen my friend,”
I decided to show him the british love of fun. something the Irish call the CRACC. so I challenged him to a wager.
£10 that I could call upon all the people arround us, to join in a spontanious responce. to the Queen. and she will wave over towards us.
He pulled up a crisp £10 note and gave it to me.
“That I must see”
As the procession came closer to were we were standing. I found a very large wooden Stool used by a Tik Tak, to show prices from tattersals to the Silver Ring. (Cheap Enclosure)
I climbed on to the stool. and as the Queen was reaching our position I shouted out.
HIP HIP HORRAY.
At that moment 5000 racegoers all cried out.

HORAY. 3 Times
The Queen looked over towards me, and Waved for many seconds,
The Yank was amazed and I had to spend ages talking to him before I could start betting again.
I am not sure this was the same Yank, who walked into the betting ring in 1992 and could see a particular Bookmaker called Bob Jacobs, a real Black Country giant of a man, have a rest before proceedings began.
The American was not pleased that he had arrived in a betting ring and yet could not get a bet,
I will never forget him he had the most beutiful pale blue silk, morning suit and he gave poor Bob a right rolloking.
BOB was eating a Pork Sandwich with Tomato Sauce in abundance.
As a illustrious Yamer (A Back County Dweller) answered the question as to why he was not betting he spat some of the sauce by accident on the Yanks lapels. he looked down and tried to whipe it off causing the left lapel to change from pale blue to red. I never saw the American again.
I was well known as the Bookmaker who always offered odds on the Colour of her majesties HAT.
Copied ever since by many others.
For years I carried out this practice and I am sure that the Queen knew that I was doing so. year ago I would have been banned and ex-communicated, from the track itself.
But now she would just smile as I shouted out, Pay over RED, or Blue, whatever the colour once seen.
One year when mobile telephones became popular, I was betting away with every colour emaginable
There were 25 different variations of shades.
Up came a man, who I can only guess was part of the Royal Household,
“Can I back a colour that you do not have on your board”.
That was enough to make me see red.
“How much do you want on your choice Sir”
“A hundrend or two if you wish”
At that moment the fun bet that was generating bets of 2 shilling, caused me to smell. a rat as big as a Cat.
I had been to long in the game to get caught by a flunkie who wished to be part of some Insider Trading Scam, on behalf of a Queen. as I understand there are many in her majesties Household.

“You will have to be exact with the shade that you require Sir”
If I do not have it on my board.
Well its like a light shade of Blue.and Green like cyan. who else knew what cyan was.
I didnt know if to laugh or cry. but refrrained from taking his wager.
I also asked if I could have his membership number so that I could send the winnings to the palace.
he grunted and dashed off never placing a wager.
So if you can get to the track this week, keep well away from the Royal Enclosure, and mix with us working classes because after all this track belongs to us, all though you would not guess it. would you.
If you cant make it as you are lucky enough to be working, or you cant afford to hire a formal morning suit. or if female to spend £500 on a My Fair Lady outfit, then then I advise you to watch the history of the UK unfold on TV.
A further point to see real Snobs, in action, watch the Fashion team on BBC TV James Sherwood public educated fool of a man, I guess, if snobs had to pass an exam, to become one, Sherwood would have a masters degree.
How he loves to make young girls cry by slagging them off for wearing the wrong colour or style or even the wrong accessories. to there dress. all this is recorded next day for the poor gal and her friends to see. how the Ascot leaders stand for that I do not know. after all we all pay the same to attend and are all Ascots guests, even if we are not part of the Procession.
How this idiot has,not been whacked by a womens boyfriend or husband I do not know.
I can only guess that it is the Green Eyed Monster in him as he would love to be a young girl. himself.no doubt.

Cubone.

I was sitting with my Bot,(Computor, waiting to be instructed when and what to back. in the Big Race, during the Epsom meeting..and as I looked at the TV i was astounded by the lack of attendance on the EPSOM HILL” I could not believe what I was seeing. and began to recall my attendances over the past 55 years.
One of the first days, I witnessed was the day that Lester Pigott, rode his first winner Never Say Die,
My family were betting in a small enclosure of 12 Bookmakers..
This was with the grace and favour of the old racecourse Mafia. 1950,s style. controlled the betting.
We knew that we would be called upon to pay for water, chalk, and runners, althouigh we didnt need these it was just a charge that went back to the Sibini,s and Brummie Gangs, from the 1920.s. and was no more than a black mail if we wished to operate.
We also knew that some unknown Bookie who had died, (We had to take there word for that fact) leaving his wife and 8 Children destitute would be required to receive, the proceeds of a collection. woe betide any one who failed or refused to contribute.
Funny but every year a Bookmaker would die during the week prior to Epsom Festival.
On the day in question, there was Gypsy Rose Leigh grafting in front of our site, with her large glass Ball.
In here very best Prince Monolulu type retort, “I can see every thing, in my little crystal Ball and I can see a young lad riding into the history books” she was right for a change..
After 16 year old Lester rode the winner, she went crazy. telling every one in the vicinity she had tipped the winner.at 33/1..
A few moments later she almost fainted when she found that the 12th Bookmaker in the line had absconded (Welched) leaving all the punters who had chosen him to bet with, and that included Rosie, with nothing but a ticket, to remember the historical event by. she had failed to look closer into her Ball. if she had she would have seen this man, striding towards the Winning Post public house, 200 yards outside the course. at the very same moment Never Say Die was being ridden clear.
As the horses for todays Derby were being placed in there stalls I could not help but to be amazed at the few punters, there and to remember that 40 years ago there would be have been 100,000 on the Hill, many arround the start, in fact one year I bet in this position along with 5 other bookmakers but here was the site of no more than 100 watching the start, not enough buiseness for a childrens tea party today, never mind enough to make a Book, worse still; as the runners rounded Tatenham Corner I could not help shed a tear, were there used to be 5,000 along this running rail i could see a very thin line of punters.no great cheer like the great years of the past.
I could not stop myself from gazing towards the wall at the back of my office were a print of “Derby Day” by W.P .Frith, proudly hangs. also in the print you can see,
The Tent of her majesties, soldiers, (The Brigade of Guards Tent) in full dress. a wonderful site, only bettered by the ones at Ascot. in the painting you could see every class of UK folk, from the London,workers, and there family who had arrived the day before so as not to miss the great event. This was a British institution, many parties having there yearly treat. it may have been a good riddance to get rid of many of the people shown in this print, but they have also made it to expensive for the ordinary racegoers, that attended in there 10s of thousands. in fact after the two wars, Derby Day was the years great sporting event along with the FA Cup. one not to be missed.
You may say it was a good to see that those depicted in the painting are certainly not missed,, however it is sad to see them replaced with a blank empty field., were have the punters gone.? you cant say it is the credit crunch that has caused there disaperance, being poor or even destitute never stopped the working class from getting on the FREE HILL in the past.for the Derby. so I can only assume that the reason for the death of the Sport of Kings or Queens greatest day out is nothing to do with the crunch. or even PB Brown, but the greed, of the racecourses executives.
I guess Epsom,s racecourse leaders have caused this demise, and that is very sad indeed.
Let the people who still love a day out racing get in the track for nothing.

Cubone.

Over the past 200 years many people have made fortunes by allowing wealthy shrewed individuals. to stand for some of the most amazing cons, in history. one would have thought that a scar from ear to eye would have been a impediment for Victor Lustig, from being a great salesman. a seller of tickets in a numbers racket. perhaps, or even a Bookmakers minder during the Sabini,s racecourse wars, but to convince 5 french scrap metal dealers, that he was the civil servant with permission to sell. the Eiffel Tower, and that they could compete in an open bid, for the right to take the Tower down, as scrap. this was amazing. not contemt with that part of the scam, he even gave the winning bidder the impression that personally he wasnt paid a great deal. in his job, inviting a bung, for him to give the permission, the best bidder took that as a small invitation for a bung and Victor was duly rewarded, not the only con, in fact, the Eiffel Tower scam was just the best of many, when he died in Alkertraz, the doctor signed his death certificate as Mr Victor Lustig occupation salesman. now thats what you call an understatement.
Who would have thought that years after the Pyramid Confidence scams, of the early 1900s. were Charlie Ponzi had his name writen in the Dictionary, under P for Ponzie Scam, but even that didnt stop. it being repeated by Bernie Madoff, in the 50/90s did it, and only the greatest slump in world trade History,in 2008, caused his demise, the only difference was that Bernard, thought much bigger gaining $50 Billion for his pains, even when the pack of cards collapsed and it was inevitable, that the game was over, like a good father, he took the whole rap. or that is only my humble opion as it hasnt been concluded just yet.but I would be shocked if father hadnt taught his sons, were the skeltons was berried.
Of course,Maxwell. was also a great dad, going for a swim, 2 miles of the Teneriffe coast.
The saying when a game looks to good, to be true, then it is. requires consideration.
How many of you have received a letter from Dr Kakada, a Nigerian confidance trickster emails tries to convince you that he has £20.Million and he as just found out that he has a terminal disease and when drawing up his will. he decided that this money would be better given away to a stranger than his own 3 sons, as the honest loving doctor believes that money could spoil. his sons but not a complete stranger, and thats why he has chosen you. all you have to do is send him just 1% Nigearian tax,s to allow the transfer.to take place. he even has the cheek to say ” I hope you do good things with the Money”
On receiving the email from the good doctor, 99.9% of you read it before throwing it in the bin, but how many have been sucked in allowing GREED to overcome your good scence. but it is a fact that Doc has 3 cars and a great home. from his philanthropy. only 2 years after being unemployed.
And of course how many emails does he send, without any criminal charges being levied in the Bigest lawless country in the world. of the hundreds of thousands of Computor Geeks, who pass there exams with flying colours 33% cant get a job and are sucked into the Computor Clubs and caffs., that are full of expert, stroksters

I read the other day, that this Doctors partner, sends out a million emails, telling the receiver that they have won the European Lottery, and you have 1 week to unlock the unclaimed prize as soon as the European tax laws of 5% are satisfied.
It is alright us clever people, laughing at the request, but better to demand that something is done about,it, as it is our grand parents, that are liable to be caught up in these scams, although I dont know what my Grand Mum Charlette would have done with the Eiffle Tower in her Birmingham High Rise Flat.
When Charlie Ponzi and Bernard Midoff were offering 15% interest, a month, on your investment, were 10% a year was the norm,. the money was lieing. when the 7000 ton of prime steel that was the Eifull French Tower, was being offered, at the rate of only 500 Ton, no hard nosed Scrap Metel Dealer would have stood for that even if the seller had looked like a Pope, never mind Lucky Luciano.
As for winning a lottery that you dont remember entering would have been enough for you to doubt your luck. in that matter dont you think.?
I must admit though that in horseracing many people and I have been one of these people in the past, where as soon as you discover, a great Game. or system, and they are about, you cant help passing it on to friends and relations.
We all suffer with the desease called. “Pat me on the Back Syndrome” 1970. not content with winning, but we have to be seen as a clever bugger. once when sitting in my little office in Bilston a small town 4 miles from Wolverhampton, an old man who I hadnt seen before came into the shop and asked if I took return favourite wagers at the Dogs,
This question raised my eye to the counter, even my assistant at the till looked surprised at the question, it was a bit like going into a green grocers and asking if you sold potatoes,
If he had just writen the bet out, and placed it over the till. I probably wouldnt have even looked at the man,
But the question made me look, one thing led to another, and after he had writen his wager out not a large one, in fact only 3 x £2 Doubles and a £2 Treble three races at Gloscester, Greyhounds, I pretended to take no notice. of this small bet, but as he walked back to wards the door, I gazed at his attire, the sports jacket was best quality, scotch tweed, and wouldnt have looked out of place on my back, and at the time I was known as a snazzy dresser, however the clips, around his ankles giving me the impression he was on a bike just seemed a little OTT, “Over the Top”. no friend of mine, would have a £100 Jacket. and still ride a bike.I thought.
I flew out of the back door, to see him cross the road and slide into the passanger seat of a Red EType Jag.
Could he be an Eccentric gambler. who liked to wear his old trouser clips, or was it an attempt to pull the wool over my eyes.
The car roared off towards the town, and in the distance I saw the rear breaking light like come on, that ment he was stopping around were Ladbrokes had a shop.
On my way home I stopped off at Ladbrokes, and popped in to speak to there young counter assistant who I knew personally.
“Sally have you taken a dog bet in the last 15 Minutes for Gloscester”,
“Yes a 3 x £50 Double and a £50 Treble, £200 stake.
“He only started betting with us, last week and he has won 4 times out of 5″.
I have been told to phone his bets up to the head office in future for them to be monitored..
I called out the 3 races that my Bike friend had had with me and it was confirmed that they were the same races.
On the way home I thought it out.
Why would a punter dressed in great cloths, and arriving in a top class car, try to deceive me about his clips. why would he come all the way down to my shop. with £2 bets when Ladrokes would have taken the extra £8 on there bet without question.saving him the extra trip.
I am not saying the deceit was in the class of Bernie Midoff, but I felt it was worth a follow up. investigation.
The 45 Minute drive form Bilston to my Thatched Cottage in the heart of Worsestershire, broke the door to door record, first made at the birth of my first child, when he was placed in an oxegen tent just to give him a little assistance.
This was certainly not the same urgency,as that time but I still broke the record, arriving home in 43 minutes, I had a job to do, that I thought worth while.
After a glass of sweet sherrie and a cheese sandwich, I was back on the M5 on my way past Tewksberry. and on to Gloscester Greyhound Stadium.
I didnt have to wait long for the 3rd race. the first on the slip.
500 yards sprint.
I was in the bar, scoffing a lovely Single Vodka and Coke. plus ice, as it was a very warm evening.
When I noticed the betting there was a clear favourite, 7/4 5/2 bar one.
No problem ther, my little wager actually had £6 running on the favourite. just a bread and butter wager that bookmakers take every day of the week, but my mind still had questions to resolve.
I walked back to the bar to finish my drink and to watch the race.
At the first bend the favourite in Trap 2, tried to go up the running rail. when a much bigger dog in trap one decided that was were he wished to go also, within a few seconds you could see what was about to happen,
The favourite was last seen doing a somersalt. over the running rails and out of the race,
I was at the track so I may as well enjoy the rest of the evening so perhaps I was wrong about any tricky buisness.there dindt appear any untowards with this wager I thought.
Only 5 Bookmakers in a very cramped enclosure,
4 of which I could see were of the smaller type. and the other seemed to dominate the ring. with his powerfull personality.
For every wager taken it was clear that he took, 4 for all the others 1.
He not only dominated the ring it was clear that he was either crackers or just loved to be controversial.
He arrived in the betting ring after the other Bookmakers had been betting for some time, during this period they hardly took a bet, probably because there prices were very restrictive.
As soon as Mr Big arrived at his pitch the betting ring seemed to come a light.
What had been, 7/4 2/1 5/2 markes he was betting 3/1 ever dog. 5 runners, he seemed to be laying all the dogs, I thought I wish I had a pitch at this track, it was a gold mine.
This race was the second part of my little wager, and I was interested, although only a £2 double still running on, I was still watching for anything out of the ordinary. I moved a little closer, to the action, wondering what would be favourite.of the 5 runners,
As the traps opened his prices were clear and in fact where still on his board as the winner trap 5 passed the post. the win was 3/1 but so were every other dog.
My mind began to spin there was something about this Bookmaker that didnt seem right. I had seen some Bookmakers over the years that seemed to be only a little away from stand up comedians, and it was part of the game entertainment, and nothing wrong with a Bookmaker joining in the fun of the fair.
But this man, seemed to be taking it. a little way passed what was the accepted way.
His shout was as loud, as Snuffy Long a Bookie from the ealy 1900s, called Snuffie because he shovelled the brown powder up his noes, in a silver spoon. getting less than 50% up his hooter and the rest all over the lapels of his overcoat, every third race he would slap his coat clearing all the surplus snuff into the sky being, devoured by all the punters standing close at hand, making half of Birmingham passive Snuff addicts. after the war, he would offer any person in uniform, a free £5 wager, causing the local Army and Navy Outfitters to run out of Royal Air Force Berets,
When he moved to the officer class with a free bet, Horne Brothers the Birmingham New Steet top quality outfitters had a run on any Medal, except Vc,s as they were a little ostentacious. Snuffy thought.
I raise the Snuffy topic to show what this Gloscester Bookmaker was competing against and making a good job of it..
I waited a while and walked up to the Bookmakers clerk after his gaffer had vacated the pitch for the bar, and asked him what price the last winner was,
3/1 Favourite Sir.
I walked up to the bar, and joined the Eccentric Oddball. all I could hear was Chick this and Chick that, they all seemed to be overawed by the man, but that could have been, the fact he seemed to buy all the drinks required. and we were now at race 7.
I had got through 2 Vodka and Cokes, and that was enough for me.
“Chick can I get you a drink,” I offered. this complete stranger.
The laugh that came out of the man, would have scared all the runners parading for race.
Thats the first time someone has bought me a drink since Golden Miller won the Gold Cup a reference to a Cheltenham, great 25 odd years prior.
Every one laughed out loud I just smiled.
“Thanks Kid” his double scotch was downed in a gulp.
I was getting a little concerned
I had estimated that with one winner the bet had now become a £8 win going on the last race nothing but it was how the prices were returned, no one seemed to know what was favourite I would have to watch this race very carefully, to prove or disprove, the concern I was begining to feel about the track and there betting arrangements,in fact the whole episode.
As I walked back outside. to the betting ring Chick was in fill flight.
“Gather round, real top prices, any one know the winner”
3/1 the field. every runner all the satelite Bookies arround him were copying Chick, like counterfitters,
What ever price he offered they would do the same, at one time I noticed the ring offering 7/2 every runner. still good value for the Bookmakers at just 10% profit.
I got a little closer to the action yet again, and asked the Bookmaker what he thought would be favourite, after a slight glance towards me, I was ignored,
I decided to ask for a bet, £20 bet on the Return Favourite, and it was taken in a flash.
“£20 Win Return Fav, “KID” no ticket was offered or even requested, I walked away, not knowing which Dog I was on. this betting stunk, I wasnt sure what was happening but I was certain something was.
The race was indeed a very competative one, with 4 of the runners, passing the post, together,
I walked to a position, behind the Bookmakers, watching what was taking place.
It was then that a bolt from the sky hit me in the midriff, I was speachless, behind Chick Sayers joint was a white haired elderly gent. about 50. emaculatly dressed only the Bike Clips missing.
After a while I joined the Bookmaker in the bar, not until I was sure the Silver Fox had gone..
As I walked to the bar, Chick. gave me £80. £60 winnings and my £20 stake, wrapped in a strong elastic band I placed it in my pocket with a “Thank you”
No need to ask for an explanation. the winner was obviously Favourite.
It then struck me that although I had watched a scam, in the last two races, It dawned on me that in the first race, of doubls and trebles, that I had taken in my shop. I had never questioned as to the price of the winner in the earlier race. i had just assumed that the 7/4 was the fav, but that was before Chick had started to join the other Bookmakers,for that race. what happened afterwards I do not know.
My mouth began to become dry, I was licking my lips to get some moisture.
I just made a quick calculation, 3 times £2 Double at 3/1 and a £2 Treble would be £224. less my £60 that I had won the last race was a net loss of £164.
I was sick I had been close to a very clever betting coup. knew there was something up. and thats why I was choked I had not been told what price the first winner was I just knew that I had been duped.
Back in the bar, I was called over by Chick, and asked if I wanted to join him for what he called a session, it was obvious that he loved a drink, I only hoped that he was not driving.
Although I didnt seem to be to concerned about the welfare of the cunning Fuck,
He had conned me out of over £150. and I was less than pleased.
I wasnt going to waist any time with small talk..
I waited for an opening, and I let rip.
I showed him my little betting slip and asked him how they had fared.
After a few seconds he confirmed my fears.
“They have all won kid 3 winning favs.”
Chick I am only a little one man band. and a bet like this will skin me if I keep taking them,
However I am not pleased to be conned, with your little scam, I dont mind what you get up to. I know that this game of ours is Dog eat Dogs, so to speak, so I intend to get my money back. one way or another.
Chick never turned a hair,
Dont worry I will tell the Silver Fox, not to draw the winnings, how will that suit. you.
How he had the control of the starting prices was simple enough when I was told that every race the Starting price assessor would confirm with Chick what was the prices, he had been the assessor for the course for 40 years and in his last few years before retirement, they two had decided on a penshion fund for the old guy.
Ok next week if you have a similar wager tell the Silver Fox to leave me out and you can phone me. direct.and I will get any bets you want on in the black country,
Chick laughed ” is that what you call him Silver Fox”
By the way I still dont know what price the first one was I dont like to ask.
Chick still smiling asked me to guess what price it was.

3/1 Favourite
He never looked up.
“A Double Scotch. and a Double Vodka and Coke. Mary and have one yourself” the bar girl. was pleased to serve him, she was getting more in tips off Chick than she was in wages all night.

That little wager of £2 Stakes started a friendship that lasted 20 years. and as the man has since moved to the Great Betting Ring in the Sky. I will let our business arrangements remain. as intended just buisness..
But what I will say is that Money tells the truth. but only 95% of the time.
I will conclude by telling you I was once told a very telling statement, when only a lad of 12 years,

“KID if someone tells you that it is raining outside, It doesnt take much trouble to pull back the curtens open the window and put your hand out,

Cubone..

For all punters this is the time of the year were they should get out there betting boot,s and become a Plunger. doubling up your stakes, the reason is simple and it is the the Going.
Let me explain more fully. in the UK there are 59 races courses, every one different some right handed left handed, non the same, even the all weather courses are different in texture and form.others so you must look at horses that suit or like that certain course. it is therefore the reason why during the winter, spring or autumn, it is Bookmakers, time, but the summer is Punters time.
The reason is the going. with the firm, surface the form, is consistant or as consistant as you can ever except.
This is why horses come out again and again, and run up a sequence of wins in no time what so ever.
In fact from tomorrow, I will place horses on this blog, every day, inviting readers to make a note of there names and there prices at the time of the thread.
We will then look at the % of profit and loss, over the month of June, 2009. and see if we show a profit at equal stakes, of course to gain the best prices you would need accounts with all the 14 internet Bookmakers, operating on Oddscheckers.com most will be horses between 10/1 and 100/1 all will be level stakes at Eachway,
I will guarantee you get a tremendous run for you money and can expect some very big priced winners. before june 31st certainly at Royal Ascot.
Good Luck.

Cubone.

All through the history of gambling there have been people born so clever that they never lose. people like William Jagger who in the late 1800s,studied the wheel in his local casino. he discovered to his amazement that after many spins it showed a definate advantage within a run of 12 months he won a fortune, first glimse I had of an advantage of a advantage taker was in the early 1950, when a family friend who happened to be Billy Hill, that wasnt his real name it was Tom Garrett, it was a coincident that he was operating on British Racecourses the same time as William Hill, the worlds biggest off course bookmaker, and of there was also Billy Hill a crafty cockney.who came to fame when taking it out of Jack Spot, with a knife, I was at Stratford one day and mentioned Garrett. when the Racecourse owner who also owned Uttoxeter, stated that he had a painting of the Uttoxeter course with a big picture of Billy Hill, he was not best pleased when I explained that the William Hill who he was getting mixed up with, never bet outside at this course,
Tom Garrett was a one off, he called every one “my old Cock Sparrow” imaculate in dress with a 3 caret diamond on his pinkey, and one of similar size, in his Tie.
I was in the Feathers Hotel, with my father at Ludlow and was asked to go to Toms room, as we were giving him a lift to the course, he was ready but had about £200 on the table and he seemed to be shuffling it into some order,
He beckoned me over and told me to watch what he was doing.
He was looking at every note and placing the number on the note, in order taking the last diget of evens on the top. and if the last number was odd, on the bottom..
Why are you doing that I queried.?
This is a trick that I do from time to time, he explained, If I want a gamble with someone, I put my hand in my pocket and fetch out a note that is even, number, as the last in sequence.
I then call out last number, ODDS or evens, do you know that when I do it, it is 4/1 on that there called will repeat what I call out first, so odds louder than evens would stimulate the caller into repeating odds. as no one ever calls Evens first, after a while the punter will try a reversal it is then that he changes the number in his pocket.
When I told my dad what I had seen I was told to ignore him he is an advantage taker like card counters, he has a million tricks up his sleeve,
I was shocked over the next few years I was told new tricks that he had come up with, he would sit in a bar, and if there was some loud, individual who wanted a bet, he would bet him a £1 that he didnt know any song word perfect, one mistake they lose,
After a few drinks every one loves a sing song but very few no all the correct words, i have seen people gather round to beat him. I have also seen people play darts, with him, and he would demand to space out the distance ,he believed that by placing even a very good dart player 2 ft closer to the board, it would take them a considerable time to rejust.and by them he would win as he always played at the shorter distance.in his home.
This is the person that I once saw, play a game of Table Tennis with a Scotsman, for £10,00 having watched him, playing a few games with his friend.,
Garrett then challenged him, the best of 3 games. and he would use a frying pan that he had borrowed from the Hotel kitchen.
The noise every time he played a shot was hilarious, and quite a large crowd congregated to watch the outcome.
In any game he played he won, the reason was clear, he had balanced the true odd against him losing.
When he once played a game of golf against a newbie he had already handicapped him self. and knew within a shot or two what score he would get, just using a hockey stick. there was no way he was going to over shoot or go out of bounds he just played within his tested guide lines, he could knock the ball 60 yards dead straight and his opponent was all over the place.
When I read a book about Amarillo Slim Preston,I was surprised that this great card player did the very same tricks when he was bored playing Evil Knevel in a game of Golf using a Hammer, Snooker using a broom handle. and never lost it was those who thought he was just having a bit of fun were wrong it was deadly serious “Slim” had thought out the true odds and bet accordingly. he knew were the edge was.
Later when I was a regular casino. guest, I was fascinated that there always seemed certain players who seemed to win. every game they played.it was some time when my father told me he was a counter, I had no idea what a card counter did,
When did these people gain such a skill. it appeared that the jewish wiz kid Jess Marcum, caused Havok in the Las Vagas casino.s right under the noes,s of the Maffia. now that takes some guts. cool as a cucumber, he never panicked even when taken into the Kitchen, by the heavy bomb.his game was Black Jack, and he could control his stake to gaurantee himself a 3% profit on a very large stake Jess Ira Marcovitch, became a genius,
Why did he win so much money, simple he was,not a blabber mouth he had discovered a massive edge and kept it to himself. for many years.
Other great card counters, have ruled for a period, followed by teams, of players, linked to ingenius contraptions, telling them when and how to bet.
Stu Unger could play cards, alright, winning the Poker, World Championship 3 times, but when playing other card games like Black Jack he loved to tell his apponents what cards were left not very clever that.not for someone with a massive edge.but it appeared Stu got bored very easily.
But was Jess the first card counter, certainly not it has been reported that in the Battle of the Somme,WW1.
A canadian private, won every penny, that was placed on a blanket in front if him, over days of play., unfortunatly although he told many of his close friends what he did, and how he did it, they do not appear to have brought the knoledge back after the war. and most of there letters finished up in the Mud.
When Tom Garrett died at the ripe age of 86 he left my Brother a packet of playing cards they were not anything special. just an old worn out pack, I used to play with them from time to time with the kids, it was whilst picking them up from the floor on a request from my wife to be more tidy. I could not but notice that there appeared to be a slight indentation of the cards in the middle and a dip at the top edge, I had never noticed this imperfection before after looking closer and shuffling the pack, I could see that they had been shaved not very much however the high number cards were slightly in at the middle so when cutting the full pack it was odds on that you would draw a high number and if cutting the pack at the top it would draw a low number that was the first time I saw a Pack of Shavers. But all gamblers would love an honest edge it is a very powerful thing that a gambler dreams of finding a system known only to himself that wins every day, the best known winner, was Charles Wells, fat bald with a vulgar accent, he was born in Hertfordshire, at an early age he was a con man, and it wasnt long before he set up a buisiness, selling patients. non of them worked but he obviously had the gift of the gab, running from his creditors, he went to France and with the money he had accumalated, he started to play in the casino,s Roulette.room.
He certainly had a gamblers brain plowing it on when in a lucky run and pulling in when out of form, from 1 minute after opening to 5 minites after closing he would play.in the Casino.
No 5 was his lucky number and when he felt like it he would pepper the number with all the sections arround it, betting to the Casinos Limits. on every section of the bet. more than once he broke the bank for a spell he could do no wrong. at one period the bank had to close, placing a black carpet on the table as Broken the publicity for Wells and the Casino was amazing.
On the streets women would ask to touch his sleeve, so some luck coul rub off,the publicity brought a rush on the casino with people pushing and shoving to get a place to watch him play,
They would even just ask the croupier to place there chips in the same numbers as Wells, clogging the wheel up.
Like all good stories it had to come to an end, no one has ever found out how he lasted so long. and won so much money over a period of play.
Once the luck changed he ran back to England and was prosecuted for False Pretence. from the many patients that he had sold, all worthless.
There was a sigh when the Judge gave Wells 8 years, and many people today still wonder what he had that allowed him so much luck.
Even today the song that was writen in his honour, is still sung at parties and functions. and goes like this.
“Ive Just got here through Paris, from Sunny Southern Shores,
To Montie Carlo I went,
Just to raise my winters rent,
Dame fortune smiled upon me she,d never done before,
And Ive now such louds of money, Im a gent, Yes Ive now such louds of money im a gent.
As I walk along the Bios Boolong. with an independant air You can here the girls declare.
He must be a millionare, you can hear the sigh and wish to die, you can see them wink the other eye.
At the man who broke the bank at Montie Carlo.

Thats what gambling is all about every one would love to just gamble and Win. and will never believe that it cant be done because you will always find one person here and there who disproves those who say every Gambler dies Broke.

Good Luck to all Gamblers.

Cubone

Of all gods, gifts, that you have been given, I feel the greatest, is the ability to breath, from the moment that you get that slap on your arse, by some beutiful, mid wife, or like a friend of mine by a taxi driver, on the M1 Lidyatte Ash Service station, if you are fortunate, you will inhale lovely clear air, through your alloted 3 score and ten years,
In my case, I am now past my alloted time and using up time that some unfortunate, individual. was short changed from.
Have I been grateful,? no I cant say I have been,
From day one I have abused that wonderful gift , in many ways, usually by over eating, stretching my internal organs.
Could it have been the lack of food, in the early few years, or to put it blindly could it be that I am just one great fat slob.
I certainly wasnt fat when born I was fit, slim, and roaring from the the off, breast fed, I was warm clean, and always smelt like a baby. should smell
the first hint that I had of impending trouble, was when at the age of 4 I decided to swallow, a full pine apple ring, without even one bite.
My dear mother, dropped me on the kitchen floor in panic, and ran out of the house, screaming.
I can only assume that in the great scheme of things someone had better plans for me than to choke at that moment, so who would my mother bump into within 50 yards from the front door, but a 6ft Irish, Nurse on her way home from, a 14 hour shift.
Within a moment she had me hanging upside down, like a xmas eve chicken on display at the corner shop.
The right upper cut from nurse Flanagan would have done Jersey Joe Walcott, the united states boxing champion, proud, out came the pine apple ring, ice cream and all. allowing that wonderful function of breathing to continue for another 60 years.
That was an important lesson one that I never forgot because ever since I chew my food, the required amount of time, looking for bones in all hidden places from fish supper,to chicken kiev I would check, for danger.
One one such incident occurred again, however but that I assume was a plant, unexpectedly my loving father had placed a brand new threepenny bit, hidden in a large portion of xmas pud. fortunatly though, my wind pipe was wide enough to take a chicken leg, never mind a coin of the realm.
Every day that passed I made sure that my breathing was spot on, running to school. the 3 miles, kicking anything that moved along from tin can, to a small ball.
I allways knew that I was a sprinter from my very first school sports day, I realsied that 60 yards, was the maximum, distance I could run, even when playing my beloved sport of soccer, I was what my father described as an opportunist, ignoring the fact that I was a very fast, centre forward,
After that a surge and shot at goal, i used to hide for 5 minutes, getting my breath back again, but I thought that was what every centre forward did,never at any time did I think I may have a problem, if I ever needed to run for a bus, that was 200 yards away I would catch the next.so what was wrong with that.
Even when playing cricket I was either out first ball or got a quick 30 all boundrys with no need to run.
One day when I was in my teens, I was in a night club, drinking with my great friend, a jewish boy the same age, in came two students, from the local university, you could see by there complexion and shape they were sports blues. we struck up in conversation, .although it may have been the two lovely girls they had with them that was the attraction and not the square rout of 58.
Before long, my little pal was challenging the biggest of the two to a running race not for himself but against me, I had become known as a great sprinter, amongst late night drinkers.
The laugh when 100 yards was mentiond more in durision than anything else, I was being sucked into a race well out of my comfort zone.
A walk to the toilet I noticed that it was raining cats and dogs, outside, on my return, I thought the last thing I wanted to do was run against the midland cross country champ at anything over 85 yards.
Come on then my friend remarked put your money were your mouth is,
He was the only child of a very wealthy buisness man, who like all jewish fathers, well certainly the ones I knew, spoilt there children rotten.
Come on then he continued £10. winner take all.
This certainly impressed the two girls, and that was his plan.all along.
We were both surprised when the two sports men, rumaged in there pockets and produced there stake.
My friend pulled me towards him, with a smile that I understood at once. ok I said, and proceeded to take off my coat, role up my trousers, and walk towards the front door of the club.
How far, the runners friend inquired,
How about to the school and back, before I had time to gulp. Master Rubin, gave me a wink that was sufficent, for me to understand the plan without him having to spell it out on black board.
As soon as the chosen one took his coat off, even at 85 yards I would have been an outsider of two.
His legs, had more mussles than a trawlermans fish supper.
As the door opened, both the girls ran back inside sqealing and giggling, come on girls you get out of the wet and get yourself a fresh drink. the cunning little Yidish had two plans going at once.
My friend will give you 1 minute start, no dont bother with any start the student was full of confidence.
Talking to the runners backer, he told him to follow the runners to see that there is no cheating. make sure that the full distance to the gates and back.
As the door of the clubwas opened we were away,, the lad was off like the proverial scalded cat, followed by his friend dashing between thunder claps, to get his car, to act as referee,
I was pulling my trousers legs down before he disapeared round the corner and up the bristol; road..
My friend plucked the £20 stake out of his pocket and declared the student as the winner.
It was over 45 minutes before both students arrived back wet through. the runner would not have blown out a candle.he was not even breathing heavily.
The £10 loss was sufficent to allow us both the time to arrange a day out alone with the girls,at some later date, some late night supper, perhaps, a smack and tickle. a Birmingham saying for fun and games but not the sort, the students appeared to excell.in.
My breathing still was never put to the test. at all times, I realised that all you required was to breath in and out, to live and I was more than grateful just for that.
I cant say that at the time in Birmingham the general consumption of the air arround me was dirty smog in the winter every were, we had pea soupers, it was impossible to see more than your hand in front of you. thats something that you today can never emagine, just think, you are walking out side and it was impossible to see any car,
closer than 5 inch in front.of you.
Even at home it appeared that the fog was in the kitchen both parents were smokers, so that the unknown problem of passive smoking never raised.its ugly head.
Unfortunatly for both my mother and father, they could never do a great deal of harm, to me as they both died at very young ages, from smoking related disease.
Never at any time had cigerette smoke, been inhaled into my pure lungs, althouigh working in 1960 betting Shops not the greatest enviroment.
In 1975 the occupation of of Betting Office manager was given up in exchange to the same game but the outside, fresh air, type,come rain wind and snow. it was great, sometimes I felt like a deap sea fisherman, I remember a period when I had to hold my racing umbrellow with one hand and the other to take bets, but it was still a delight. to be there.
I dont remember ever having a sniffle up to the age of 60. when I was pursauded to take a flue jab, that year I had my first bout of flue.
5 years ago, I started to find it difficult to breath late at night, mostly in the winter, iIhad several visits to my GP. who did not find any problem.
one morning I had a panic attack that reminded me of the day I had a half of a pine apple down my throut.
I dashed to the doctors, and although I had been given a special appointment I sat out side his door fighting for breath as the door opened he called out someones name not mine I could take it no more diving past the next in line I fell to the floor, within 1 minute the doctor had a tube in my arm, and an ambalance outside the front door.
For the next 5 days I had every single test, known to man or beast, conducted.
They tested every part of my body, and came up with
“You are Ashmatic”
Ashmatic I thought they must be joking accept for the 1 round I had with Nurse Flanagan, I have never had a problem, until now, I told him I was a sports lover who played soccer until I was in my 40s. once being picked in front of Alex Harley. the Scottish International. and Manchester City/Birmingham city centre foward, for the final of some sunday soccer team.
No Said the Specialist, “You have always been an ashma sufferer.
But I have never suffered with breathing I stated,, “yes that is possible,”
But you body has never been taxed past your cappacity, I bet you never ran a marathon.
So as I sit here with my Tortiose for company. both of us, taking small little breaths, I ponder the future, at least I have an inhaler, but then again, he sleeps from November the 1st until March the 31st. every year, I couldnt do that missing Cheltenham.
The only people who will be happy with my anouncement are Ladbrokes the largest bookmaker in the World, when they look in there anti post book they will see, a £50 bet for me to reach the year 2037. at the fine odds of 500/1 at one time the price had shortened to 125/1 but I had noticed a steady drift back to 500. over the last few years I cant beleave that they have my doctor straightened.

Ho well like my grand father once told me “every one is at it bar the postman”

Night God Bless,

Cubone

lata night,

I must have to admit that I have used the word, over time. and even allaberated with statements like,
Im having some real bad luck at present. must have run over a black cat, or even a nun. but if you think what real bad luck means to some people in the world, you would never jest, or even dwell on the subject.
I like to be happy to take the middle road, not having to rely on luck in any shape or form as luck can be very fickle,
Can you look back at a period, in your life were you were very close to a disaster, and survived was luck involved in any way. to think that there is such a thing, then you would have to agree with the concept of devine order of some sort.
So what is Fate.as a force ,principal or power that predetermines events some lucky and others not so.
The folk law tale of a man who dreamed that his wonderful horse would one day kill him
He decided to make sure that would not happen so he killed it.
Many years later whilst tending his field, without the horses assistance, he tripped on the skull of his old horse causing blood poisoning and his death.
I have always wondered that in gambling if there was some ultermate being like a God. who sits at some great table passing judgment upon all those on earth.
Would have his work cut out at the time of let us say the grand national. were he would be receiving many calls for help with a little luck usualy favourite backers,to lift there selection, over the last fence and victory and at the same time a lesser amount of calls from Bookmakers asking to save there profits, you would think that the mass would prevail. but through history, to many happening occur that makes one think that good luck is in the hands of a lucifer, type, who pass,s Luck on to a few only to take it away at some future date.
So we come back to the question what would be best,
I would be happy to rely on well thought out strategy hard work and planning. and leave Luck to those who do not wish to work as hard.
Some old sayings however like
“The work of youth is a blanket for the old”
What about the many millions who forsake holidays in there youth, for a comfortable old age, have found there well planned pension fund, to have been descimated by powers out of there control
“Money is as safe in a Bank” well it would have been safer in your fridge in some used kipper box.
The saying that a wish may give you to much, to handle. can be considered by the tale of a widow of 59 who won the European Lottery of £50 Million. she thought her life was going to be one long battle to survive,before her win.
However her three sons, were given there share of her fortune which started a war that gave her so much, trouble her life was no longer worth living.
She moved with what she had kept of her fortune met a man her own age, who conned her out of what was left. leaving her were she began.
a lonly old lady with nothing.
There is a thought that a continual struggle is the thing that keeps you lean and mean.
Waking every morning ready for a fight to survive, working on the assumption you will always be able to earn enough to eat,but never to much to get fat.
But that was alright when you lived in a cave and all you required was some food, for your belly and the food was ussually wrapped in a fur, that would keep you warm. at night.
How we have built up the massive expenditure we need just to survive is a mystery what on earth do we need some of the luxuries, that surround us,
Even the news papers that I collect, every morning is exactly the same in content so why on earth do I have 2.
What is best to leave your children, cash, or the history of all the mistakes that you made in your life, so that perhaps just one may save them from making a similar error.
I know that the children would say give us the money and we will make our own mistakes. and I guess there is a lot who will agree with that.
I will have to think that one out a little more.
Sayings like “there is no such thing as bad publicity.” and yet what about.
“jail follows publicity” which one is true.
as a Gambler i like the poem by Rudyard Kipling. IF. I have taken my favourite parts out to follow when I can

If you can keep you head, when all about you are losing there,s. If you can trust yourself, when all men doubt you. But make allowances for there doubt. If you can wait and not get tired, by the waiting.
If you can dream and not make dreaming your master.
If you can meet triumph and disaster and treat those two imposters the same, or watch things you give your life to be broken. and stoop and build em up with worn out tools.
If you can make one heap of all your winnings and risk it on one turn of pitch and toss.
If neither foe or loving friends can hurt you. If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run,
Yours is the earth and every thing thats in it, and which is more
You will be a man my SON.
I can understand what he says, but if you consider that he lost two of his 3 children before they were out of there teens, he was a Man.
Although I have never believed in the Bollux about Better to be a Lion for just one day than a Sheep for all of eternity.
This is were I differ, that Lion only had one day. so he never had chance to see if he had made a mistake, and as for Rudyard, his phyosophy of taking all you have gained and putting it on one final spin. is what I call Chasers, and that is what anyone should avoid. at all times..

I like the tale by Alex Bird who lost all he had won in his early days and he stopped got his breath back lowered his expectation and started a plan of 1 year to get his flout or stake back. then start again.

I am adamant that the only way to gamble is to Trade, a % that reduces the Gamble to a gauranted win, and following the answer made by Lord Rothchild when asked how he made his fortune in shares,
“I always allowed someone else to earn a pound as well as me”

So what have we learned from my sermon.

That it is all ways better to live to fight another day. than join the millions who went for one giant Killing.

The final statement that I laughingly disagree with is.

We are all level on and under the TURF. I admit we are closer to the surface than in the past but level I think not.

Cubone.

If you selected any high street and spoke to 100 who admitted that they loved a gamble over 80 would say that they thought horseracing was BENT.
Of the twenty left. they would refuse to say what they did for a living.
But is this fare.????

I have decided to take a look at the amount of horseraces, that take place and the amount that cause concern. regarding integrity.
My findings you may find contraversial but you cannot deny my findings. are correct.
The horseracing industry is built on advantage, ever since a handicap system was introduced any trainer who had gamblers amongst his clients, will agree there will be horses at some time in there development, that will require an easy introduction, to a certain race. and it is fare to say that they are non tryers take 2 year old,s for instance there is no way, any trainer would sanction this type of runner being given a very hard introduction. and knockrd about even the authorites in charge of racing know this and give this practice a blind eye.
That just makes common scence so anyone who backs a horse first time out in a 2 year old event and finds his selection being handled tenderly. and not actually being ridden out to gain its best position in that race. and therefore contary to Racings rules. but they would be stupid to claim racing in that perticular case.was dishonest.
Would a horse that drifts alarmingly, in the betting and then fails to run within a stone of its expected form. be evidence of a non trier, I think not. there may be certain things that you must not overlook, you watch a horse in the parade ring, then on its way to the start, and certainly at the start itself, this requires a fresh think, for instance if I was a backer and it took 20 ex minors, to get the the brute in the stalls, the last thing I would wish to do, would be to trust it with any of my hard earned. I once remember when I had my very first betting shop in Birmingham 1958 3 years before the High Street Gambling revolution. all we had for information was a little black box on the wall of my smoky betting office.
If there were 50 in the shop. the 50 would be looking at the Box for divine help. and talking to it.
Perhaps they were practicing for the times that they could shout, at the jockeys, on TV. not yet, allowed in shops. the conversation between Punter and little Box, was “He never tried and inch” “They should nick Lester for that ride” ” He will have to leave the back window of his roller open tonight” hinting that a big brown envelope would be winging its way onto the back seat.
But this was just a little black Box. and the commentators, had been no doubt given instructions to make the race interesting, no different to these reality programs, on TV today, so that unless a horse had fallen, all the finishers seemed to be grouped together, over the last fence.or during the last furlong of the flat.race every one who had placed a bet, were happy for the full 5 minutes of a Grand National. except as I said the fallers. at no time do I ever remember hearing a horse being a jump behind. TV opened a new dimension, you could actually become a sofa, jockey, telling you chosen one when to start his run, I have heard many a “NOT YET LESTER” on many occasion.
The first time I noticed this minor point, however was in the 50s, only that dammed Box, I had placed my last Tosheroon ( 2 shillings and Sixpence) on a double one had won at 9/1 and the other came with a late run, at 20/1 the commentary was to much for me, I dashed into the little toilet outside, I could still hear with the window open and I was informed that my selection was still there at the last, fence. along with 5 others.
“They pass the post together” the commentator cried. out. “Its a photo.” 15 minutes later, the result came through. this I assumed was the time when Boots, did the Printing.
Winner 1 second 3 and third 8. my horse was not mentioned this created a stomoch pain that remained with me until the next day when I asked how far my horse had been beaten a friend who had been at the racecourse told me about 15 lenths, was that proof racing was bent, of course not, but you will have to believe me when I say there was a time during this period, when I thought so, and the loss of my £20. plus, perhaps justification. the pain never realy went away and preperation H could not help either.
Prosecution of jockeys, over the years so, small in number, concidering that it proves either they the authority, policing the sport, must have been sipping to many large pims, instead of gazing through there bins. (Binoculars)
But hang on a bit some of the courses that I attended at this time like Shirley Pony,s South Midlands. for instance, I have seen 5 horses go behind a Wooded area before the last bend, in what seemed ages before the Favourite, came away clear.and on his own, I once remarked why it took so long for the runners to do the last furlong, , much longer than the time to get there my Dad said, they are tossing to find who they want top win.
Another point that may have painted my early disbelief regarding racing and honesty.
My Grand Dad, would arrive at my house for Grand National Day, were we would congregate around our little radio. he would give all the children, a new 5 penny bit for a free bet. it was 1947 and I was 10. as we listened to the Big Race my horse was clear I will never forget the commentary, “As they approuch the Melling Road, it is Lough Conn. clear. as they approuch the last two my god whats this coming fast, its Caughoo” It had won so easy the radio commentator stated that he looked so fresh that he could have gone arround again . I actually cried, and my mother, told them I must never have a bet again.
Later that night my father returned from Aintree were he had been working, as a Tic Tic.for a Bookmaker.
Had a good day, Dad, yes great result the Big Race Son,
I told him of the free bet, and my selection and the fact that it was clear at the Melling Road. Yes said Dad, I had noticed Caughoo his jockey, was drinking a scotch, and soda given him by a punter, after he had been unseated first time around, that was before he remounted and joined the race. of course I started to cry again. I was never a good loser. but this gave me a bad start, when trusting racing you may think.
If I look back a little further in time to mid 1800,s Shrewsbury, no longer a racecourse there was an incident were 3 well known and respected Gentlemen Riders, asked the Clerk to the Course if he could help them with there Xmas Shopping by creating a new race specialy for them, as they had all had a dybolical run. and were without funds,
A race was introduced and the terms, displayed
A NEW RACE The Welter Handicap. of 5 sov each, with 20 sov added. for 3 year olds and upwards, Gentlemen Riders, Jockeys 5 lb extra,the winner to be sold 50 Sovs. Event over 1 mile. £10 prize to the winner, any profeshional rider to carry 5 lb Extra weight.
After some cock up the Clerks son allowed a further entrant, to run.
When the Gentleman Riders found out that not only was there 4 runners, in the race non other than George Fordham, champion jockey. had been invited by the owner to ride his horse.
Non of the Gents must have been very bright for it took 10 minutes before the ex Etonian, come to the conclusion, “Never mind we will LET HIM WIN”,
At the start the horse Tom Sayer, and his jockey Fordham, who had been backed from 4/1 to odds on, began to play up.
No stalls at this time,, so it was a flag start, THERE OFF
After two furlongs, the Shrewsbury 3, looked at each other and then looked for George, and then realised that he had not only been left but had gone the oppersite way.,
These 3 Gentlemen Captain Little, Captain Townley, and Mr George Ede. had not become so respected, without believing in Fair Play.so they returned back to the start, only a gent would do that.
What could the starter do, nothing, only try again. I wont bother to relay the result. but will say that the betting ring, the owner of Tom Sayer came out of the bar. to see what price his not very good,horse was, as he had never won a race he was fed up of backing it. but was still interested.
What price my horse Hodgeman he called out, Hodgeman leading Bookmaker of the time, stated evens, Mr Priestly. EVENS, you must be joking well if you wish to lay me 2/1 I will take the bet. off you.
So in the most crooked race in history, the owner, had to pay an arranged fee to the Jockey, if he won. and layed it to lose.he also failed to get a bid at the auction that followed. not the most succesfull coup on record well at least it wasnt for this owner.

But this was to far back in time, so we must accept that perhaps racing once was, a little dodgy, but the powers that be, now have instant, filming from every, angle possible, no dopers, horse ringers. weight ringers, jockeys using hidden electronic devices, and not even that stun gun, at Ascot. two spur a horse on.or in that case off.
And anyway who would jump off a horse at 36 miles an hour, to get it beaten, I would have thought that it would be going much slower if they didnt want it to win in the first place.
So can I agree with the 80% non beleavers of course I cant.
Racing is as straight as it can be at present. the way it is run, makes the game very difficult.to be anything other than that. but that doesnt mean that 100% of those running or riding horses, are honest, in an industry run, for Gambling it can never be that honest,
In fact if we place Doctors, Lawyers, Vicars, Estate Agents, Inland Revenue Inspectors, TV Producers,
Charity Organisers, and not to forget Postmen, in a full list or runners, betting on the most “Dis Honest Trophy” I bet Jockeys would be in the also runs.
If I may be so bold to offer the BHB the new Jockey Club without titles.
I would say if a jockey fails to take a hood off his horse for a furlong, after being allowed one to calm him before the start, then they should place a hood on him, with a big D. and leave him in the corner of the stewards room for a month at least.
Whilst on this contraversial subject, I recently told my youtube, fans that I intended to create a Video of the “Gay Future Coup from 1974.” and although it has had plenty of airing made of the scam. during the past 35 years.I will bring new evidence that if known at the time would have created shock.waves through Parliament.

Having looked at all the facts reported and some not reported. I feel it deserves a fresh examination.

Was Tony Murphy and the so called Cork Mafia as bad as painted.?
Was the winnings as low as Tony started or as High as Bookmakers stated?
Were the Leading Bookmakers dishonest, in there approuch, to the facts.?
Did the tabloid feature writers, do justice to the plotters.?
Did the Police act fairly. in the prosecution. ?
What was the Jockey Clubs role in the matter.and what would there findings have been if they had been invited to run the enquiry and not the police.?
and last but not least what was the full role played by George Wigg. Chairman of BOLA the Betting Office Licences Association,

I will take another 2 weeks to conduct my full enquiry. and I hope it is all worth the wait.

Cubone