Secrets Of Pricewise – Review

[Kenh]

Downloaded this from Amazon on Kindle for PC.

The first part mainly concentrates on how the pricewise feature started and continues with indepth interviews with Mark Coton, Mel Collier and Tom Segal. Mark explains how he went for an interview for a job at The Racing Post with then editor Graham Rock and his deputy Francis Kelly. It seems the interview consisted mostly of questions about his knowledge of Racing such as which horse won the 1962 Cesarewitch. Mark said he couldn’t answer half the questions so said what interested him wasn’t what won ten years ago but what would win tomorrow. He was turned down but on a rethink was offered a post as a junior writer. He then goes on describe how the column started.

All three talk about their time at the paper and their selection styles. It is quite apparent that all three are very different in their methods. When Mark started the column it was more about him predicting market moves and putting up horses that were likely to shorten where as now it is the column that dictates market moves. Mark explains that he was basically tipping horses that people were going to fancy anyway which is in contrast to Tom’s approach where he is trying trying to find an angle which others haven’t spotted. Colliers approach seemed to be more along traditional form study. I won’t go into detail about the different approaches as it’s only fair you should buy the book. I will say though that our own Gingertipster will probably turn to drink and lose those ginger locks after he reads about Tom Segals more instinctive approach.

There is a chapter ‘Betting The Pricewise Way’ which is really an extension of Tom Segals section where he goes into a bit more detail as to how he makes his selections. He also says he shares David Ashforths view that “the formbook is useful for predicting what will happen in the past” In fairness there doesn’t seem to be much new that isn’t already in the public eye.

We then get to spend a week in Tom’s company as he describes his work and selections during the 2012 Cheltenham Festival.

The rest of the book is pretty mundane and a self congratulatory slap on the back as it features various bookmakers and punters saying how good the column is.

The book could really be a glorified advert for the column. I did however find it enjoyable and it was interesting to read the history of the column. If you are looking for the holy grail to make your punting pay the book doesn’t provide that. It will point you in a direction but you will have to find the way yourself.

I would say though that Coton, Collier and Segal all come across as very nice genuine and actually quite modest people.

Is it worth the money ? To me it was an ok read at the £5.39 kindle price and whiled away a few hours giving a bit of food for thought. There is a lot of entertainment that costs more than £5.39. The book was what I thought it would be which is why I downloaded it rather than pay the £12.99 for a hard copy. Having read it I am glad I didn’t pay the higher price.

Verdict. Title is a bit misleading but still an interesting read at the kindle price. three out of five.

[aji]

Thanks for the review, saved me a few quid I’ll go for the kindle version as well I think.

[MrUnoHugh]

Thanks for the review, I don’t think I’ll be buying this any time soon!

[cormack15]

I’d just about finished a review of this – I’ll post it later this evening. Agree with some of the above review but not it all.

[Author]

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