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Racing Ahead

April 2025

Simon Nott recounts his latest Tales From The Betting Ring

The faces were out in force at Exeter: pro-punters Alan Francis and Deaf Paul, man about the racecourse Armaloft Alex.

Exeter

Scourge of the betting ring Harvey Instance was just back from St Lucia and let off the leash by his good lady. “Well, I have to spend all the winnings somehow,” was his beaming comment.

There were plenty of bookmakers in evidence too, no doubt all hoping to get their Cheltenham exes on what looked a competitive card. The word on the track was that Jeremy Scott was expected to have a hatfull, he certainly looked to have a strong team entered today. Before the first a punter hopefully set the scene for the day betting a £16,000 double up at Ayr - prices at 1/8 and 1/5.

There were no Scott representatives in the first race, the CRS Building Supplies Novices' Limited Handicap Chase where just three went to post. The one the punters wanted to be on was Soul Icon, bets tendered in the ring included £2,500 - £2,000, £1,250 - £1,000 and an even £5000. The bookmakers got off to a great start, at least those that got those lumps in their hods, when Mark Of Gold, 15/8, won the race with the favourite back in second - the jolly returned 5/4 which reflected a late bounce in the market.