1. Change in the going - no bet. From fast ground to soft turns the form book upside down.
2. Take note of the over-round - the percentage bookmakers take out of the race. With the exchanges, this factor has been helped but on big race days - such as the Grand National - it can still making betting a bad deal.
3. Bird loved a good each-way bet. He finds an 8 - 10 horse maiden and takes advantage, especially if the favourite was odds-on by betting on the second or third fav. He combines the second and third favourites in each-way combination bets.
4. He'd note good apprentices. A good apprentice with a 7lb claim can be worth a few lengths.
5. Don't be first show - the majority of runners drift in the betting from the first show. Taking second show prices will increase your winnings by 10% over a season.
6. Bird didn't like handicaps.
7. Also, never bet in three-year-old maidens, particularly those only for fillies.
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Golden Betting Rules - Phil Bull
1. Temperament is vital - winning and losing. Treat them the same! Long term counts.
2. Study the form the same for each race. Don't search for bets - a no bet is a no bet.
3. It's an old maxim - never bet more than you can afford to lose. Don't attempt to make your fortune in a day.
4. Bet when the odds value. If you think a horse should be 7/1 if its 2/1 don't back it, but if its 10/1 bet. If correct long term, you will make a profit.
5. Don't follow tipsters - work hard to find your own angle (it's not simple).
6. Never bet a horse ante-post unless you now it will definitely run.
7. Don't bet each-way in either race with big fields or handicaps. One-fifth of the odds is not good value.
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