Is this proof that betting coups are still possible?

Can punters can still harbour dreams of landing a major punt. Maybe.

In today’s highly automated world of “big IT” and super-intelligent technology, it’s good to know that on a human level, punters can still triumph over the all-seeing vigilance of the bookmakers.

Forgive me for getting all dewy eyed for the past..

But if we’re not careful, it seems as though a lot of the character, fun, and shenanigans (for want of a better word) are being eroded from the money-making pursuit that we all know and love.

Now whether this is down to the modern day efficiency of the system, and how bookmakers react to the merest sniff of a gamble, I don’t know…

This is partly to blame for sure, as the digital age means the speed of response and collective evasive action is much easier to organise.

But based on recent evidence, there does seem to be less willingness on behalf of those involved in the business to entertain such creative thoughts. Greater investigative means by the powers-that-be, stiffer penalties, smaller “cojones” among the principal players – there could be a variety of reasons for this.

What would the late, great Barney Curley make of it all I wonder?

Hence it was interesting to read of a recent race over in Ireland. Scene of many a great coup over the years.

Now let’s be clear…

There is no conclusive evidence to say that any “dark arts” were at play in the events which recently unfolded at Downpatrick.

Because horses can show rapid improvement when switched in trip, or track, or after a wind operation, or with the use of new tactics… or any number of plausible reasons.

And after all, how many times do commentators band apply the phrase of “the penny has finally dropped” when a previously perennial loser finally gets its nose in front.

Well, dropped it did in Ireland, just like the odds of the horse, called Anyway, that went from 28/1 into even money – and duly won the 2m2f hurdle after previously producing next to nothing on five previous starts.

The IHRB (Irish Horse Racing Board) got involved, and ultimately nothing further was made of the 5-year-old’s easy 8-length victory. So case closed.

But there’s no doubting a few backers made a pretty penny – or is it now Euro? – from the win.

Here’s the story as reported in the Racing Post …

OPINION: Irish racing, because of the likes of the aforementioned Barney Curley (click here to read more about the legendary trainer) has long been perceived as the home of the “opportunist gamble”, shall we say. And I know from the big winning bets landed on the Irish Cash Consortium, that making money at the likes of Downpatrick or Dundalk are as much about who you know as what you know.  The good news is that the old-fashioned betting coup appears to be alive and well.. and especially in Ireland.