16/1 Related wins the day for Postdata

Thanks to the success of 16/1 Related at Kempton on 24 October, Racing Post’s Postdata finished top of the October Napchecker table. Farringdon of the Morning Star claimed second with a 7.8-point profit, one point ahead of Marlbrough of the Daily Telegraph. Racing Post Ratings finished in fourth spot on 5.9 points while Scout of the Express came fifth, with a 0.2-point yield.

Although only five of Postdata’s 30 October naps were winners (17% strike-rate), the prices were all good. This ensured a handsome monthly return. As well as Related, three winners were returned at 6/1 or better: Captain Hawk (13/2, Newcastle, 20 October), Bobble Emerald (6/1, Southwell, 3 October) and Betalottie (6/1, Windsor, 23 October).

Farringdon finished October with an eye-catching 29% strike-rate – 9 winners from 31 selections. Successful wagers included 7/1 Jabbaar (Catterick, 21 October), 13/2 Shady McCoy (Ascot, 6 October) and 5/1 Bybrook (Newbury, 28 October).

October found Marlborough in robust health. Thirteen winning naps from 28 equates to a 46% strike-rate for the Telegraph’s pundit. This haul included a sequence of 5 winning naps on the run between 11 and 16 October, while the month’s longest losing sequence was just four days. Awesome, a 4/1 winning nap at York on 13 October, just about sums it up.

Strong opening and closing phases guided Racing Post Ratings to a 5.9-point yield (37% strike-rate). Three of the months first four naps were successful, while four of the last six also tasted glory. Spirit Of Rosanna, a 6/1 winner at Bath (2 October), led the way, while two 3/1 naps also prevailed.

Four of Scout’s nine winning October naps were returned at prices of 7/2 or better with the Roger Charlton-trainer Cesarewitch victor, Withhold (5/1, Newmarket, 14 October) standing out. Other winners included two 4/1 naps, Culm Counsellor (Stratford, 2 October) and Flowing Clarets (Windsor, 23 October).

Followers of Racing Post’s Spotlight endured a torrid start to October, but things improved as the month progressed. A run of five straight wins between 24 and 28 October and a further winner on 30, ensured that much of the early losses were recovered.

Thanks to that late rally, Racing Post Ratings remain ahead in the race to be crowned 2017 Napchecker champion. A 26-point profit leaves them well clear of the pack as we enter the last two months of the year.

Finally this month, a quick return to last month’s theme about tipsters from regional papers napping horses at local tracks. Anyone following this advice should have earned some pre-Christmas funds thanks to The Scotsman, who napped two winners at Scottish tracks – 11/2 Buonarroti (Ayr, 12 October) and 9/2 Forest Bihan (Kelso, 8 October).

STOP PRESS…STOP PRESS…STOP PRESS

The fireworks started early this year: The Sun’s Templegate gave 20/1 Enrolment (Newcastle, 4 November) while The Guardian triumphed with 18/1 Equino Springs (Newcastle, 3 November).

Date Published: 06/11/2017