My primary betting targets are the handicap events – with preference for the most valuable big-field races contested by the older horses….

My default setting is to oppose the most fancied runners and to dig out dark horses that can run big races at big prices….

---- Races of potential interest this week (as of Monday morning) – from a betting perspective – include….

• Thursday 22nd January – Gowran Park – the Thyestes Handicap Chase….

• Saturday 24th January – Cheltenham – the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase….

• Saturday 24th January – Doncaster – the Great Yorkshire Chase….

• Saturday 24th January – Doncaster – the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase….

---- Big-race targets coming up soon include….

• Saturday 31st January – Sandown – the Heroes Handicap Hurdle….

• Saturday 31st January – Sandown – the Masters Handicap Chase….

• Saturday 31st January – Sandown – the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Handicap Chase….

• Saturday 31st January – Musselburgh – the Scottish County Hurdle….

• Saturday 31st January – Musselburgh – the Scottish Champion Chase….

• Sunday 1st February – Musselburgh – the Edinburgh National Handicap Chase….

• Tuesday 10th March – Cheltenham – the Ultima….

• Wednesday 11th March – Cheltenham – the Coral Cup….

• Wednesday 11th March – Cheltenham – the Grand Annual….

• Thursday 12th March – Cheltenham – the Pertemps….

• Thursday 12th March – Cheltenham – the Plate….

• Thursday 12th March – Cheltenham – the Kim Muir….

• Friday 13th March – Cheltenham – the County….

• Friday 13th March – Cheltenham – the Martin Pipe….

• Saturday 11th April – Aintree – the Grand National…. 

Against the Crowd