Very interesting – thanks for sharing.
I was thinking about the importance of being on course only last week because I had my first trip to the races in the post-covid world, when I went to Wolverhampton.
I was not planning on betting in the second race but when I saw the horses in the paddock, I thought Battle Of The Nile stood out. It was only a modest handicap but he looked a better class of animal. I had a small bet on him and he won under a good ride from Oisin Murphy.
In the next race, I had been planning on backing a horse trained by Clive Cox and ridden by Adam Kirby. It had reasonable enough form and had first time headgear. However, seeing the horse going to post put me right off. He did not look at all keen. Kirby even had to push him along just to get to the start! Sure enough, he never travelled a yard and finished well out of the places.
If I had been at home, it is highly likely I would not have backed the winner but would have backed the loser.
It was an interesting reminder of how much more you see when you are on course. Unless I really like something, I will probably not have another bet until I go to Doncaster on 8th September.