WHY SUCCESS CAN ALL BE IN THE MIND

David Cormack looks at the mental ups and downs of backing horses

Lots of factors contribute to long-term success as a punter. If you want to be profitable the bottom line is you need to consistently back horses at prices higher than their actual probability of winning.

There are a large variety of approaches and methods that people take to achieve profitability. Generally they will use a mix of methods such as form evaluation, visual impression, race-times including sectional timing, trainer and jockey study, various stats and trends, and so the list goes on.

As well as selecting the appropriate horses to bet on people then have to establish a staking strategy, manage their betting ‘bank’ and find ways to get their money on.

All should be good after that, shouldn’t it? Not always...

Even if your selection methodology and price evaluation strategy is sound and you are theoretically able to ‘beat the book’ there is still one major obstacle in your path, an obstacle that is overlooked by many punters and one that can derail your efforts spectacularly – that obstacle is your own mind.

Almost everyone who has bet on horse racing in a serious way has experienced what you might term the roller-coaster of emotions or stresses that inevitably come as part and parcel with the pursuit. That roller coaster can often cause those who start out with the necessary tools to succeed (sound selection and betting bank management strategies) to find they are very quickly struggling. Before long their bank can be bust, their confidence shot and the individual wondering where it all went wrong.