Dave Nevison Professional Gambler Books – 'A Bloody Good Winner' & 'No Easy Money'

Although, in recent years, he has backed away from putting his 'head on the block' in favour of less erratic employment, including as a horse racing presenter and pundit on Racing TV, Dave Nevison if a former full-time professional punter. Originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire, Nevison inherited his lifelong obsession with horse racing from his grandfather, but forsook a lowly-paid job in racing to become, as they used to say, 'something in the City'. However, in 1993, after a decade as foreign exchange trader, which he apparently loathed, Nevison was made redundant when his employer, Credit Lyonnais, closed its London operation.

Encouraged by his then wife, Lotte, Nevison left the City behind and, with his redundancy settlement, established a betting bank of £50,000. Initially, he adopted the 'traditional' approach of taking a view on which horse would win a race and attempted to identify one or two selections on the card. However, Nevison soon became disillusioned with travelling back and forth to racecourses as far afield as Sedgefield, County Durham from his home in Sevenoaks, Kent, for the sake of just a couple of bets, with no guarantee of success, and sought a more worthwhile modus operandi. 

Taking a leaf out of the book of his fellow professional punter, and mentor, Eddie 'The Shoe' Fremantle – erstwhile racing correspondent for 'The Observer' – Nevison started compiling his own odds representing the chance of each horse in each race or, in other words, his own 'betting tissue'. Thus, by comparing the available odds with his own calculation, he could identify horses that were overpriced by the bookmakers and back them accordingly. Of course, he did not know which horses he would back until he saw the odds available, but he could bet in most, if not all, races on the card, often with multiple selections in a single race.

Backing multiple selections – possibly up to four or five in a race, according to the market – inevitably led to a modest strike rate, but by focusing on value, rather than finding a winner per se, Nevison guaranteed decent long-term profits. He made mistakes, but within four years of embarking on his new career was earning £50,000 a year, tax free. His methodology was fundamentally sound, but resilience was, nevertheless, the key to his success. Typically betting around £2,000 race, he reportedly won £60,000 in six months during 2008 but, in the same period, lost £140,000 on Tote Jackpot and Scoop6 bets. 

In the early Noughties, Nevison owned a string of horses trained by local trainer John Best, to whom he was also form advisor, and was privy to 'inside' information. However, on the whole, he remains indifferent to racecourse 'whispers' or anything else that distracts him from the business at hand. 

In 2007, Nevison published his highly successful autobiography, entitled, 'A Bloody Good Winner: Life as a Professional Gambler'. Of his attitude to winning, Nevison once said, 'I’m not a bad loser but I’m a bloody good winner and if a big ship comes in I like people to know about it.' The book offers a frank, honest, often brutally honest, account of how Nevison has fared over the years. As might be expected, his story is often exhilarating, sometimes depressing, but makes for essential reading, not just by dyed-in-the-wool punters, but by anyone with a passing interest in horse racing. Nevison is particularly scathing in his appraisal of certain jockeys and trainers, some of whom are household names but, on the whole, 'A Bloody Good Winner' is a amusing, enlightening and entertaining read. 

In 2008, Nevison followed on with his second title, 'No Easy Money: A Gambler's Diary', which chronicles his quest to win £1 million between the Cheltenham Festival in March, 2008 and the St. Leger Festival at Doncaster the following September. Nevison provides a blow-by-blow commentary on his methodology, his bets and his results, good or bad. Inevitably, winning and losing creates emotional turmoil but, typical of an author who enjoys betting, especially winning, 'No Easy Money' is a good-natured, upbeat account of life on the road.

On Thursday, January 15, 2009, Nevison and his business partner, Mark Smith, came within a whisker, or twenty yards to be precise, of winning £360,000 at Taunton Racecourse. Having invested in 42 lines, at £2 per line, on the Tote Super7 bet, the pair selected the first six winners, including four 'bankers' and pinned their hopes on 9/2 chance Topless in the crucial seventh and final leg, the Carlsberg UK Handicap Chase. According to the 'Racing Post', Topless was 'well in command' on the run-in, but jinked right towards the finish and unseated jockey Jamies Davies with the race at her mercy, leaving Pangbourne, who had been matched at 999/1 in running on Betfair, to saunter home by thirty lengths. Reflecting on that fateful day, Nevison said: 'it put me off betting for quite a long time and made me question what I was doing.'

Interview on Racing TV - My Life Racing

Follow Dave Nevison on Twitter 

The Forgotten Winner of the Grand National Abd-El-Kadar (1850)

The Grand National has a long history. 

In fact, the first winner of this race dates back to 1839 when Lottery won for jockey Jem Mason, trained by George Dockeray. Under the welterweight of 12 stone he made owner John Elmore's day winning at odds of 5/1. 

Just for good measure Dockeray won the following year's Grand National 1840 with a horse named Jerry.

When you consider there has been 180 Grand National winners and counting, this is one race that doesn't lack stories to tell. 

Probably the greatest being the three victories of the legendary Red Rum, trained by Ginger McCain, who won this historic race at Aintree, Liverpool in 1973, 1974 & 1977. 

This is unprecedented. 

Just to prove his astounding ability, Red Rum finished runner-up in 1975 & 1976. 

Upon his death on the 18th October 1995, he was buried at the finishing post of this grueling steeplechase which covers a distance of four miles and two and a half furlongs and thirty jumps. 

Most race fans will have a favourite winner whether it is Red Rum, Mon Mone, who won at odds of 100/1 in 2009, or Abd-El Kadar. 

Unless you are a true aficionado of the greatest race in the world, it may be a name you have never heard. However, if you went back to 1850 Abd-El-Kadar would have been a name on every punter's lips, as this eight-year-old won for Irish raider Joseph Osborne. This 'pintsized' horse won at unquoted odds, and bookies only offered 20/1 in running as jockey Chris Green looked to hold some promise. 

He went on to win by one length. 

Owner Joseph Osborne was prudent enough to place a bet of £100 to win £4000. In today's money that would be worth the princely sum of £100,000. 

There's one thing we can say about the difficult-to-pronounce Abd-El Kadar, (Little Ab) he wasn't considered by most a likely winner until after the race. 

However, this wasn't the case the following year as this nine-year-old was noted as one of the major horses to beat at odds of 7/1. Everything was much the same bar a six-pound rise in the weights and ridden by Tom Abbot. 

Abd-El Kadar won by the official distance of half a neck. 

In many ways this horse was the original Red Rum, with high hopes of winning three Nationals in a row. When you consider the nature of this course and the fences back in the day this would have been deemed impossible.

Could Abd-El Kadar be the first horse to win the Grand National three times? 

Sadly it wasn't be as the ten-year-old carrying a weight of eleven stone four pounds, ridden by Denny Wynne, and starting at odds of 9/1, was pulled-up at the seventeenth fence. 

The race was won by Miss Mowbray at odds of 50/1 for George Dockeray in the ownership of T. F. Mason.

To his credit Abd-El Kadar ran in the 1853 race when finishing 5th at odds of 20/1. The winner of that race being Peter Simple, trained and ridden by Tom Oliver for owner Josey Little. 

Unfortunately the lad had forgotten to put the nose band on Abd-El-Kadar and his trainer feared his chance would be gone. In fact, the owner/trainer rushed to the start and begged Lord Sefton to delay the race but he refused. His fears were realised as the horse pulled its way to the front on the first circuit, to the point he led by one hundred yards when coming back on the course but couldn't keep up the pace as he was challenged and passed by Peter Simple at the Canal Turn, his fate sealed.   

The history books show that Abd-El Kadar never raced in the Grand National again, although there were rumours he did, but he is one of the few horses to not only win the Grand National twice but nearly make it three on the run. 

Other horses to win the Grand National on consecutive years include:

The Colonel (1869, 1870)

Reynoldstown (1935, 1936)

Tiger Roll (2018, 2019)

With Tiger Roll disappointing on his return, it could well be the case this consecutive winner will be another Abd-El Kadar if he gets to the race at all. 

Good luck to all runners in this year's Grand National. 

Pixabay: Free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

Get Ready for Royal Ascot 2021

Last year, Royal Ascot took place, even though the start of the Flat turf season was held up until June. It was a miracle the meeting went ahead, especially for the two-year-old horses who had about ten days to gain vital race experience. Even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and entourage stayed at home, as did the crowds. 

Coronavirus has a lot to answer for but, thankfully, horse racing continued in earnest - even with the limitations imposed with regard to health and safety.

Race fans will be looking forward to having a bet on Royal Ascot 2021. From the 15th - 19th June, the best of the best thoroughbred horses, from leading owners and trainers, will be racing for not only prestige but big prize money. 

Sprinterstogo is not only dedicated to sprinters but two-year-old horse racing and a number of high-profile races. 

These include: 

Day 1:

3:05 Coventry Stakes (Group 2) 

This race is run over 6f. Last year saw a shock 150/1 winner in Nando Parrado, trained by Clive Cox, ridden by Adam Kirby.  

In the last ten years Aidan O'Brien has won this race three times with War Command (2013), Caravaggio (2016) & Arizona (2019).

Day 2: 

5:35 Windsor Castle Stakes (Listed Race) 

This race is run over 5f. Last year is was run by Tactical trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by James Doyle. 

Day: 3 

2:30 Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) 

This race is run over 5f. Last year saw Michael Bell's The Lir Jet win, ridden by Oisin Murphy. American trainer Wesley Ward has target this race with a few very speedy two-year-olds including winners No Nay Never (2013) & Shang Shang Shang (2018). 

Day: 4

2:30 Albany Stakes (Group 3) 

This race is open to two-year-old fillies racing over 6f. Last year saw an impressive winner in Dandalla, trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Ben Curtis. 

Day: 5

2:30 Chesham Stakes (Listed Race) 

This race is run over 7f. Last year Battleground won for Aidan O'Brien when ridden by Ryan Moore. It is a race O'Brien has done very well over the last year winning four times including Maybe (2011), Churchill (2016) & September (2017). 

Royal Ascot 2021 is likely to be another quiet affair with the pomp and ceremony having to wait. However, with the Flat turf season scheduled to start in April this year's Ascot will give trainers' a chance to prepare for some of the most prestigious races on the calendar. 

It's a race meeting to enjoy.

Professional Gamblers: Barney Curley Interviewed in December, 2016

Interviewed in December, 2016, Bernard Joseph Curley, popularly known as 'Barney', famously said, 'I couldn't tell you when was the last time I had a bet and I don't think I'll ever have another.' Nevertheless, from the mid-Seventies onwards, Curley garnered legendary status in horse racing circles, largely as the result of executing several well-orchestrated betting coups, often months in the making, down the years. 

Born in Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland in 1939, to a devoutly Catholic family, Curley spent four years as a Jesuit seminarian and briefly stood as a bookmaker at Celtic Park, Belfast before becoming 'poacher turned gamekeeper' in his late twenties. Recalling the 1971 Cheltenham Festival, where he turned £700 into £50,000, or more, he said, 'I was so red hot I was in danger of spontaneous combustion'. 

However, it was just over four years later, on June 25, 1975, that Curley first gained notoriety, as the result of an elaborate scheme involving his own horse, Yellow Sam, in the Mount Hanover Amateur Riders' Handicap Hurdle at Bellewstown. Bellewstown is a small, provincial track in Co. Meath and, at the time, staged one, three-day meeting each summer. More importantly, Bellewstown had just one public telephone, which was the only means by which racecourse bookmakers could contact the outside world. Yellow Sam boasted, at best, modest form – so modest, in fact, that even in the hands of leading amateur rider Michael Furlong he was sent off at 20/1 – but had been identified as an improving type by trainer Liam Brennan.

With a game plan worthy of, in his own words, 'a bank robbery', Curley employed associates to back Yellow Sam, at starting price (SP) just before the 'off', at hundreds of betting shops across Ireland. Meanwhile, another associate occupied the public telephone to prevent news of the coup from reaching the course and affecting the odds on offer. Curley won £306,000, or £2.58 million by modern standards. 

Fast forward three-and-a-half decades, to May 10, 2010, and Curley tried again, this time with four of his own horses at three different meetings, which he combined in trebles and accumulators. All four horses were heavily supported and the first three – Agapanthus (2/1 from 25/1), Savaronola (11/10 from 8/1) and Jeu De Roseau (6/4 from 7/2) – all won. 

Sadly, the supposed "coup de grace", Sommersturn, who was sent off at prohibitive odds of 1/3 for an amateur riders' handicap at Wolverhampton, having opened 4/6 course, ran well below expectations and could finish only fifth, beaten 3¾ lengths. Although denied a 'jackpot' payout of approximately £15 million, Curley still reputedly profited to the tune of £4 million. He later said, 'We're very satisfied with the amount we won.' 

Lo and behold, on January 22 2014, a date upon which Curley had decided 'probably at least six months before', four modest horses to which he was connected in some way won, again after being heavily supported, and landed an estimated £2 million in winning bets. The horses involved, Eye Of The Tiger, Seven Summits, Indus Valley and Low Key were either formerly trained by Curley, who did not renew his licence in 2013, or trained by his former employees Des Donovan and John Butler.

Giving a Little Back by Barney Curley (1991) 

Andrew Balding's Derby Dream

If there is one race any thoroughbred horse trainer would love to win it has to be the Epsom Derby.

It has to be the pinnacle of racing triumph for owner, trainer, jockey, and even bring a smile to the face of those lucky punters who won a few quid on the big race. That thought leads nicely to a story which connects a generation of horse trainers and the reason Andrew Balding has a dream of winning this historic race. 

On Saturday, July 4th at 4:55pm Park House Stables may well be having a double celebration if Kameko ran beat sixteen opponents and emulate the success of his father Ian who trained the Epsom Derby winner in 1971 when Mill Reef stormed clear of the field for Geoff Lewis and owner Paul Mellon. Mill Reef was an exceptionally talented thoroughbred who won 12 of his 14 races, finishing 2nd on two starts and crowned a champion horse in consecutive years and noted sire in Great Britain and Ireland. 

Kameko has raced just five times in his two and three-year-old career but already marked a potential superstar of racing after making his return to racing in June and winning the 2000 Guineas. 

Even after almost 50-years, the thought of living up to his father's success is ambition, Andrew Balding is looking forward to realising a dream of trainer and horse across the decades and generations. 

Kameko, a strapping son of Kitten's Joy out of a three-time winning mare could herald a magical moment in the career of this young trainer and connections Qatar Racing Limited.

Good luck to connections and those who are betting on Kameko to triumph in this fascinating race and story.  

Will Coronavirus Stop Horse Racing?

The world is struggling with the Coronavirus outbreak. 

Sport is almost at a standstill. However, horseracing is still taking place until the end of March, with hopes it may carry on behind closed doors. 

Whether this will happen or not - only time will tell. 

Considering horses are the athletes (as are the jockeys) it will be interesting to see if horseracing continues. If racing is stopped it will have huge repercussions for the racing industry. 

Who is going to want to have a horse in training if it doesn't race? 

Perhaps horseracing and greyhound racing will continue. I'm sure the majority of people who work within the industry would like to continue in their roles. Clearly, whatever happens, the wheels of industry need to keep turning. If horseracing does continue behind closed doors it will be one sport that can be televised and be a rare sporting entertainment. Many people may think banning the sport is the only answer but it would be positive if it continues simply because compared to many sports it can. 

The Grand National is the next big race scheduled for the 4th of April. 

The decision of whether the Grand National goes ahead will probably be the answer to its continuation for the season. It would be a beacon of hope that the world of sport cannot be halted and a spectacle that will be even more poignant in the fight to respond to the impending fears. 

Only time will tell.

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

Backing Horses With a Grasshopper Mind

I love the old TV series. 

Today, I watched an old episode of Minder, starring the late George Cole and Dennis Waterman. Men (and women) of a certain age will remember Arthur Daley & Terry McCann, down the Winchester pub, with Dave, behind the bar. 

Arthur used to ask for his favourite tipple vodka and coke. As a somewhat shady businessman, he asked for a VAT. 

Anyway, one of the episodes showed this unlikely pair at a point-to-point race meeting. 

Arthur said about a horse he fancied, and Terry changed his bet only to see his original fancy trot up. 

He said: ''You've got a grasshopper mind!''

The Oxford reference defines this phrase as: ''One unable to concentrate on any single subject for long. The grasshopper is quick to leap from one resting place ...''

Now, I don't know about you, but have you been at the races with someone who has a grasshopper mind?

The chances are you have.

I'm pretty sure we have all changed our minds about which horse to back. And the sad part of that action is it's often we go from fancying a 33/1 shot but end up backing the 6/4 favourite. 

When the rag hoses up you're left contemplating what happened. 

Don't jump from one horse to the next with a grasshopper mind. 

Horse Racing Tipster Competition

I've been involved with horse racing for at least three decades and running websites and blogs for a good few years. 

It surprises me how few decent Horse Racing Tipping Competitions are out there. Well, those where a punter pay let's say £10 entry fee for a winner takes all prize. That's why I founded Bloody Good Winner. It's a Saturday tipping competition which takes place every month. Basically, it's like you have a small bet of £2.50 on Saturday for the month. It's a bet that you probably bet without thinking. If you fancy your chance it's akin to you backing a 17/1 (£10 x 17 players = £170). 

Over the years Bloody Good Winner has seen prize money of many thousands of pounds go to a pretty small number of entrants. At present, we have just 18 players and a winning prize of £170 (plus your stake back £180). It's hardly a fortune, but it is a tidy sum for those who stick their neck over the finishing line. One or two players have won about £1000, which is a huge return on investment. 

This month saw a new player David V take the prize money. Beginner's luck or a touch of class? Time will tell. Next month we will see all the entrants looking forward to this new competition. 

Are you interested in taking part in our little horse racing tipster competition? Just for £10 you have the chance to win big. When you consider you need only to win once in about every one-and-a-half years to break even you have plenty of time to collect. 

Get ready for the first Saturday every month. Simply contact jason@professionalgamblers.co.uk to join the fun. If you help promote the competition I may even give you a free entry. 

Take a look at our promotional video here to learn more about the rules. 

Racehorse Ownership Vs Racing Club

I've heard a lot of people saying they would love to own a racehorse.

I know a few people who own or have owned thoroughbred racehorses. I've been in a racing club which had a share in four horses and guess how much it cost per year? Just £200. Fair enough, you don't get any prize money (as that really would be incredible) but you get regular updates, the opportunity to visit the stable and owner/trainer badges to go to the races for free. Well, you paid £200, so you know what I mean. 

My friend Kevin McCourt has had a good few racehorses in his time. The last, Edgar, proved a very versatile and capable horse over both codes and paid his way before being retired. 

That is probably a rarity for most owners when you consider how difficult it is to own a horse to win any race. The likelihood of owning a horse that achieves a high standard to compete at pattern class is literally like finding a needle in a haystack. In fact, yearlings which cost a million pounds are very unlikely to attain that goal. 

One thing all within racing appreciate is the desperate level of prize money for the run-of-the-mill race. In truth, when you consider across the globe, how much money is bet on each and every UK horse race, a fraction of that money could pay for a winning prize of £10,000. Instead, it goes into the pockets of those who own the television rights which seems (surprise surprise) to be owned by bookmakers. 

Horse racing is like a conveyor belt and unless all go on strike the prize money issue isn't going to be resolved. I can guarantee if it did stop within a week every race would have a minimal prize of £10,000. It's unlikely to happen because most stables couldn't hold out because their owners wouldn't want to pay for horses not racing. 

Anyway, the lack of prize money means you want to think twice about owning a racecourse in this country. I don't imagine you would want to live in the UK and own a horse in America, but I'm sure the level of cost to prize money would be much better. 

Even a small training establishment in the UK would charge £15,000 - £20,000. The high-profile trainers cost substantially more. 

When the likelihood of actually making any money via owning a racehorse is probably, statistically, near-zero, you have a high chance of losing money. 

I joined the said £200 a year racing club and it was great fun. To all the world, when you are in the paddock, rubbing shoulders with all the other big wigs they don't know what money you have or don't have. When the horse wins you still cheer. 

I'd always side with the racing club unless you have plenty of money to burn. 

Good luck. 

Last post: The Secret of Winning at the Races

The Secret to Winning at the Races

I wonder if you have read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne?

It's a book originally published in 2006. A best-selling self-help book based on a film. It is based on the idea that thoughts can change a person's life directly. A lot of people must believe it too as it has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and been translated into 50 languages. 

While some believe every word, others claim the book promotes political complacency and a failure to engage with reality. (Basically, some are saying if you believe all this stuff you are mad).

Others say it isn't new or a secret. 

Scientists have detailed the book has no scientific foundation. 

The book was inspired by a tome written by Wallace Wattles in 1910 titled: The Science of Getting Rich.  

Byrne received this publication from her daughter during a traumatic period of her life in 2004. 

The book re-introduced a perspective from Madame Blavatsky and Norman Vincent Peale that thinking about certain things will make them appear in one's life. 

The Secret details examples of historic persons who have allegedly achieved success by this notion. 

You simply: ask, believe and receive. 

The origin is based on the quotation from the Bible's Mathew 21:22 '' And all this, whosoever, ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.''

The author states the importance of gratitude and visualisation in achieving one's desires and gives examples.

This understanding can be used to gain wealth, relationships, health, and thoughts about the universe. 

Very much a holistic approach to life, living and family. 

Much of the book's popularity can be associated with the appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The book has led to merchandising and further book titles. 

Oprah Winfrey is a big proponent of this book. While others have taken a critical stance. Mark Manson, the author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck  says the book is ''full of misplaced cliches, silly quotes, and superstitious drivel''. He called it ''a playbook for entitlement and self-absorption, which anybody who reads it and implements its advice...will likely make themselves worse off in the longterm.''

Others have noted this tradition of New Thought and popular religion isn't new or a secret. 

In fact, the author's understanding and use of quantum physics have been rejected by a range of academics including Lisa Randall. 

Some have called this ''magical thinking'' akin to mumbo jumbo as new knowledge.  

Here's my question: Could you become a better gambler by simply asking and believing in the powers of the universe? 

If so, you may rightfully receive it. 

Happy Punting.

By Jason Coote