Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

Sitting in my lounge just deciding which medison I take next.
Prednislone, Seretide. Amoxillin, Belcometasone, or even a litte Lactulose.

I cant get away from the exitment of the MATCH. for lovers of Horseracing this can only mean, one thing Cheltenham and the Gold Cup. no doubt that is something to look forward to.
Over the years there have been many Great matches, Coe, Ovett, David and Goliath, but you should never make excuses afterwards.

The vanquished are ussually forgoten, for ever, very few ever mention Goliath, even though he only lost on a TKO.and who was Ovett ???

But like Goliath, I only have to close my one good eye and there in full. colour, I can see the real MATCH. not Denman v Kaoto Star, but.

ARKLE v MILL HOUSE. (1964) no doubt the younger set, will say here he goes again. like all Granddads, yesterday seems better than today. well I cannot fully agree that yesterday was better,

Life was calmer. less violance, if we ignore WW1 and WW2.

But are the Horses of today better, can Denman or Kaoto Star be compared with Arkle and Mill House.

Well. I can only give my slant on the THE MATCH.

I had been introduced as an Arkle Fan, in 1963, whilst sitting in a Brummie Casino. an old Greyhound Bookie called Ted Major, had told me to Beg Steal and Borrow, and put it on this irish upstart called Arkle. TED was certainly well loved in the Betting game and the sort who would be told, of possible greatness coming over from the Emerald Isle.

He was a personality in abundance, after the War, he offered, every returning soldier a free £5 bet at Perry Bar, Greyhounds all the local Army and Navy Stores sold out of berries, forcing Ted to abandond his concession before the 3rd race.

It was November when I received a phone call. in my little Betting Office.
“Fancy a day out at Newbury”
“That horse ive been telling you about is running.”
I didnt nead to be told in fact I already had a nice Eachway Bet at 9/2, Arkle. only Mill House the British Champ stood in his way.for the Hennersey.

In the parrade ring I cant say that Arkle looked a better stamp than Mill House who was enormous.

It was great to see Arkle backed down to 5/2 it only endorsed all the stories that I had heard all through 1963.

The day was misty a November Race day.

3 out Mill House was in front, Arkle not far behind, bigest anti climax for me since Manchester City steam rollered over Birmingham City.in the Cup Final.no mention of Arkle again that day.

I wasted no time in getting down to the last jump. and all I saw was a cheaky grin, from Mill House,s Jockey Willie Robinson. talk about the Cheshire Cat, he was almost laughing. no doubt he had been ribbed from Cork to County Clair about what the new kid on the Bloc was about to do to the champ.

However when Arkle arrived at the post well beaton. Pat Taffe also had a smile from ear to ear, they both couldnt be right could they.??

The next days Sporting Life, did mention a little about Arkle, losing his footing 3 out. but only after reading the memoirs of Taffe, did the full truth emerge.

Arkle had lost 10 Lenths, for sure, slithering into the fence, but still managing to get over if you beleaved what Taffe said then this was a Shoe in for the Gold Cup. and no doubt many an irish gambler, taking it on face value never had to work again..

When they arrived for the MATCH. the market told a story. and that story confirmed the Pat Taffe Smile against the Robbinson Smirke.was worth taking notice of.

When I arrived at Cheltenham,you could cut the exitment with a knife,
A massive crowd. outside the tattersalls enterance. there were two tipsters, and par for the course both had differing oppinions..
Paddy the Tipster, with the Yellow of Arkle round his neck, covering a bloody patch, received the night before in some pub brawl.
The Shilling Shocker, the brummie version of Phil Bull, had pollished his brown boot. but ignored the black one on his other foot, shouting that Mill House was a cert.

The first thing I did was get to the Fish Restraunt in the main stands, any one who knew me, could tell the weakness or strenth of my finances by what I ordered at the restraunt

Jellied eals, out in the cheap enclosure. not all that well. Crab, in the Silver Ring, a little better, but a Lobster, in Tatts, and things are looking up, and a dozen Oysters and Champers, in Members, and and I was ready to tackle the world. . every year a different meal. but nothing had changed, I well remember having bread and lard for sunday dinner. it didnt nead the brains of Sir Winston Chirchill, to tell me that the previous weeks results hadnt been that favourable.

I always arrived for the Festival early and this year even a litle earlier, I could sence some history about to be made.

I loved to spend time rubbing shoulders with the high and mighty, of the Ring, well as close as possible. the banter between the Kings of the Sport, was infectious, all along the Rails and Tattersalls. you could hear, tales of success and falure in equal measure, during the previous year, even in this period, you could see the golden Tans, and brilliant clear eyes of the leading Bookmakers who had Im sure wintered on some Mediteranian Cruise,

Gone were the days of 5 Carrott Diamond Tie Pins, and Spats, but the mohair overcoats with monagramed shirts till in a bundance,

I always made it a habit of gazing at the cloths, worn by the leading rails Bookmakers.not even the Maternee Idols of the previous decades like Robert Taylor, Cary Grant, or even
Rudolph Valentino. could hold a torch to some of the leading Cheltenham Bookmakers.

Some will say it was reaching the end of the CLASS, structure, in Racecourse Gambling, no betting tickets and certainly the Print outs of today with every vital. piece of betting information, it was all on trust. the word of one man against another, and a bond of trust so strong there were very railrly a dispute.
Beu Goldsmith, was there smoking a 2 ft Cigar, emajine Clark Gable going bald. then you have Beu, except that he dressed better than, Clark. there is a saying that as a friend of the Aly Khan, and Rita Hayworth, this London Bookie, satisfied both, from time to time. he also took there bets.
William Hill was there with a presence so large, that if he had ever smiled I would have liked him a lot better. if he wasnt sure who you were he just grunted, perhaps this policy has been carried on through there staff training courses.
Every one seemed to wear a hat, all those old quality trilbies, that they say you cant purchase now.cleaned and tilted over the right eye.

I also loved to walk about the bars watching the fans, punters singing along to irish shanties, but if you had listened, closly there was only one thing on there lips.this year,
THE MATCH.

When I had come back out into the Ring, you couldnt help feel the atmosphier, this was something special. no ordinary race the Gold Cup is always the Blue Ribbond of the meeting but this appeared to have become personel.

As the two runners, made there way to the start, the smile was no longer on Pat Taffs face more of a serious look. but still Robinson had that smirk.

Just before the off, leading Bookmaker Ted Binns. (Sterman) made his way to the corner of the Rails. Ted was the In Running Expert, in fact the only In Running Bookmaker ever to bet in this way in my life time.

Ted was a 1960 version of BETFAIR , you could back or lay. any offer was excepted, a man before his time.

There was a hush as the runners took there place at the start,

The 1964 GOLD CUP was off.

There was so few runners that the early part of the race seemed an anti climax, but what was expected in the first circuit im not sure.

As they came along the bottom of Cleeve, Hill and only a few yards from were George Stevens, the Cheltenham Champion lost his life.

Mill House was bowling along like a true Champion. Arkle seemed to be going well enough.

Ted Bins, was asking for 1.8 (4/5) have your pick. as it was clear that only 2 had any chance.the others already beaton.

Just for a stride it appeared from the stand that Mill House, was holding the upstart,

“Even thousand TED Mill House,” the request was ignored.
In the same breath, Binns offered ARKLE at 6/4 the writing was on the wall.

But just like the BETFAIR In Running markets of today things change so quickly.

The first of the many crys that raised the Cheltenham Grand Stand roof, was from Ted Bins himself.

I will lay 2/1 Mill House. here a £2000 to £1000 Mill House. he had changed tack alright.

Arkle had just changed a gear and was gaining with ease,

A whip was raised at the very moment that the 4 month smirk. on Willies Robbinsons, face disapeared.

My God what a Horse Arkle was in full charge, and even over the last and on the run in,with less than a lenth and half between them, the cry of ARKLE ARKLE, deafended the comentary.

It was only in the last few yards that Arkle put in a little 5 lenth sprint as if to prove,his superiority.

It was so easy, that when it was realised that the Track record had been shattered, it dawned on everyone there that day that we had witnessed a true and ever lasting
CHAMPION
I Stiil greave a little however for the vanquished Mill House he was never the same after.

So what of the 21st,centry Match. how will it match up.

No doubt we have comparisons on how the race will be run. Denman like Mill House will try to dominate Kaoto Star like Arkle will come late.

But could these new Champs, cut there own throuts, and allow a miracle. defeating each other. what ever happens I will never forget

ARKLE and when I do I will also remember Mill House.

Cubone

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Like the majority of old people it is very difficult to motivate yourself, in my case I have not lost any memory, and can see many oportunities, that still exist, it is hard for me to get up and make the first move, all through my life I have worked better under stress, than greed, the nead to servive, has always been a great motivation.

In fact through my history I can remember some of the better ideas that I have had, corresponded with sevear periods of austerity.
The 1940s when the family were bankrupt. I was a hard worker, doing 2 paper rounds and cleaned the rubish from the floor of the Fruit Market.in the spare time.
The late 50s resulted in starvation. replaced with a Uniform and 3 meals a day.
The Foot and Mouth Epedemic of early 60s happened at the same time as the Glouscester Starting Price Scam.and the Dageham Coup.

So why do I enjoy thinking of new ideas to break the mould, imposed by some of the worlds leading Bookmakers. well ever since I was a lad, and watched profeshional gamblers, breaking the code, I was fascinated by chicanary. and Winners.

The day I saw a sandwich (A block of cards)placed in the shoe (A Dealing Contraption) at a midlands wheel club, casino, the sandwich was the scam devised by the greatest card sharp in history.

Although it was a fraud, if it was good enough for upper class gamblers like John Aspinell it seemed to have some class about it.

However it was something that everyone could only watch, like juglers or trapeaze artists, the nearest you came to knowing how they did it, was after it had cost you money,
I have a belief and have mentioned my oppinion on this blog before that there is nothing new in the chickanary of the 21st centry, it is just lamb dressed up in wolves clothing,
Playing Three Card Montie, in the slip road alongside the Royal Ascot Silver ring, seemed exiting at the time.one wooden box, 16 willing punters all ready to place a bet, if we had only known that 14 were part of the scam, it would have lost much of its. exitment.
I remember watching the Walsall Mob. dominating a carrage on the Snow Hill to York Race Train. they were dressed up as a Vicar, a Farmer and Soldier, all they wanted was a “Mug” with money to take the 4th seat, before the game of poker commenced. It was my misfortune, to get a clipped arround the ear, as I attemped to take the vacant seat.

So when I received an email. on the 19th of September 2007, ,from a well known profeshional gambler, asking my oppinion as to how difficult it would be to organise a massive betting coup I was interested.

The first question I raised was how much were they wishing to win that may be an odd question but let me explain.
In the 1950 William Hill was asked to place a bet of £5000 at starting price, for a well known owner, on one of his plots. (Good Things)
William explained that if placed discreatly there was every reason to expect the starting price to be, 16 /1 however a few moments before the off, money started to come back to the track.

William Hill an expert on betting refrained from placing any more on the horse and it was returned at that price.
All he had placed was £4500 at the returned price,
When he explained that he only placed the £4500 (to which confirmation had been sent by 1950 fax) the reason was to protect the price as if he had placed any more there was reason to beleave that the horse would start at no more than 6/1. .
The owner not understanding the GAME was less than pleased and went as far as taking the Bookmaker to Tattersalls. a early day dispute procedure, The good name of William Hill won the day. much to the disgust of the owner.
That was just an old fashioned betting coup. at the time. but I was a little dubious. as to its success. in 21st centry betting shops, things have changed drastically they are no longer gambling Bookmakers, with check suits but Masonic reared. accountants. with sports jackets.

How long would it take before a punter gained the confidance of a “Bookmaker” I laughingly said, “£50,000 loss may do the trick”, but after more thought I realised that 2 winners on the trot and the 21st centry Honest Joe of today,would smell a RAT.

I guess a good old Indipendant, may give you a run. but you would have to act. like a compulsive gambler. with cash. a plenty.
He asked what type of bets, would the Bookmaker take willingly.
Anything shortish in price a Bookmaker loves, nothing better than a favourite backer and certainly if he was chasing any loses, in fact I had the very Bookmaker for him.
In the midlands we have an Independant called Wilf Gilbert, both the originals are no longer alive, having originated in the 40s. I knew nothing of the 2nd and 3rd Generation Gilberts. but if they were anything like, there granddad they would love a BET.and willing to take someone on.

If my help was required then the first thing I would nead would be a “Spy” ear piece, standing in front of the counter taking current prices, with a mobile in hand crys out ” Profeshional” with info from experts. or the very inspired. or even from the racetrack.market itself,
I decided that if he wanted me to feal the market out I would give it a try, I commenced with a few £500 wins and as I hadnt bet with them very often before I was certain that they didnt know who I was.
I was up to £2000 wins, in very little time, and even £2000 EachWay, was taken without a great deal of delay.or fuss.

After 3 days I was over £6,000 behind, and I was not surprised when I was asked to placed an EachWay Treble. the type of races was known in the industry as SHIT. races of just 8 runners, the favourite odds on. and the second favourites, , 5/1 8/1 and 6/1 Not a good move in my oppinion, any bookmaker worth his salt, would laugh and request that the Eachway be altered to Win.

Of course the fact that I was losing £6000 could make a difference, but I didnt like it, and could only jeapardise the plan.

“If the first one wins the Bookie will have you in the “trickie” collum, and only a matter of time before, you received a “Dear John” letter.

The first one in the treble won the second got beaten a short head and the third won also. a short head away from a £35,000 payout, this office was soon to be sine die, for certain.

The last 3 bets all winners at 9/4 6/1 and 11/4 did the trick. although it took 3 days to collect the winnings, I have no complaint about the firm, and there staff were very good indead.

The 2nd week I spent explaining that Bookmakers who take bets of that substance were ussually in the town centre, so it was off to Birmingham. and a good look at the pertential. there.
Right next to the Train Station the two Biggies of Hills and Ladbrokes were right next to each other, Laddies had been in the sight for a while but unfortunatly for them they were down 2 flights of stairs never a good thing for a Betting Shop. Hills had the jump on them by being on the ground floor.

I personally didnt like the Ladbroke set up it was like a glorified casino. with scores of out of work samalians. the atmosphier was electric if you fancied a fight.

In 1960 50 yards away, in the St James,s Restraunt,I would have been up for it, but at 70, and no body armer. no thank you.

I didnt beat about the bush I went straight into the £2000 mode, within 2 races, my bets, were being monitored, for exceptance.
Staff great, but time delay, unexceptable. the first week I won over £8,000 it was clear that the information was brilliant. and the idea of organising a betting coup. lacked credability. I dont know whos buisness it was but it was as good or if not better than Charlie Cox or Alex Bird of the 40s.

I lasted longer at Gilberts, than Hills. but must give them credit as I was being called Don, within 2 Days and Mr Butler with 3. not long after a further few days, the lovely counter assistant. asked me to bet there no longer.

Never mind there was another 20 Shops in Brum, I may have to work a little harder, to get the amount I required on,

I spent a while in the Ladbroke China Town. shop. I had been told by the Hill manager that anyone who looked Chinees could have as much on as they wished, It was a day or two before I realised that the Hills manager had a great scence of humiour.

Back in the main Ladbrokes shops it was clear that i would have to bite my lips and take a chance alongside emegrants looking for work and many who were not. If they had ever known that I was carrying £20,000 in my pocket, at times, Cubone would have been no more.

Wasnt long before Ladbrokes were restricting me also, but luckily I had one or two bad days losing a £12,000 and a £8000 back to back. there staff were great and never a bad word exchanged although I was sometimes halved. or even quartered.

After 2 weeks, it seemed that although I was showing a 10% net profit on all my bets, since starting the exersize. on a £350,000 turnover and in less than 3 months, it was clear that this was some hot buisness. I never questioned. the source. but did keep every record of the periods activity. and some of the trainers, seemed to show exceptional. success. I never did get round to vetting all the bets.but will for sure. as long as the powers that be, arnt looking over my shoulder.

On the last few weeks before I discontinued the excersize, I received a very funny responce from the Ladbroke manager.

It happened following a longer than ussual, delay in excepting the bet,
I asked why on earth it had taken 5 minutes, for the OK. I was told that all my bets were relayed to the “BHB” ( British Horseracing Board.) I cannot beleave that, personally. and if true would be a Scandal.and I would be willing to ask questions WHY.

I havnt been in the shop since and the reason why will remain a secret at the moment. I will say that security had something to do with the reason for change in policy from Cash to Internet. however a good old fashioned Betting Coup on the Internet, has the same chance of success as Dagenham the 1964 Greyhound Scam. not much. however when I was told of the “PLAN” I was dumfounded and couldnt sleep for 3 days
This will work.

Cubone