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Betfair informed me they are “deprecating” the Timeform products on their websites, such as Timeform racecards and downloads, Timeform API. That sounds ominously as as if Timeform is about to be sold off again even before Paddy Power take over. A great chance for Gingertipster to put his money into the ancient product.
In my younger days, there was always a mysticism about Timeform, a sense that true scholars, who might have chosen any intellectual field, had opted for horse racing. Aside from Phil Bull, nobody among my racing friends could name a Timeform employee. The impression was that an elite team gathered somewhere in an old country house and worked ceaselessly, night and day, grabbing the occasional crust, working on a never ending project – discovering the true merits of every racehorse in the UK and Ireland. It was the Bletchley Park of horse race betting.
So disciplined were they in achieving consistency in reporting that, if you didn’t know it was impossible, you’d say the writing, the essays, the race summaries were the work of one person.
After Betfair’s takeover, Timeform lost not only that mysticism, but much of their credibility in my opinion, by splintering their service and abandoning consistency in selections. Their Betfair race summaries, offering a 1,2,3, put up different selections from those suggested by other ‘services’ within Timeform. The Jury would disagree with their colleagues on the Betfair service, or Timeform reps on Timeform radio (serious damage to the mystic aspect done there too, imo). That complete loss of consistency was a huge mistake, I think.
For a while they were supplying a service to bookmakers too (I don’t know if this still goes on).
So, when they were in their pomp, they were mysterious, ultra-consistent and uniform in their reporting and tipping, they were expensive, their annuals were close to works of art. Consumers in retail surveys might have described them as the Harrods of tipsters. I wonder what such a survey would show now?
I’d love to see them get back to where they used to be. To do so, I suspect they’d need a football chairman type sugar daddy who wanted the restoration out of love rather than profit.
Betfair informed me they are “deprecating” the Timeform products on their websites, such as Timeform racecards and downloads, Timeform API. That sounds ominously as as if Timeform is about to be sold off again even before Paddy Power take over. A great chance for Gingertipster to put his money into the ancient product.
Robert, was that comment in an email from Betfair?
as many on here loved the old timeform publications,bought my first ‘racehorses’ 1975,then the perspective followed.Sorry to say nowdays version is a far cry from when i first started.
No longer buy their publications,but did but a race card for york dante meeting,my yearly three day pilgrimage to the great course.I was shocked to see small imagines of the sun next to trainers name,depicting yard in hot form,or an icicle if out of form.Must say went straight in the bin
In my younger days, there was always a mysticism about Timeform, a sense that true scholars, who might have chosen any intellectual field, had opted for horse racing. Aside from Phil Bull, nobody among my racing friends could name a Timeform employee. The impression was that an elite team gathered somewhere in an old country house and worked ceaselessly, night and day, grabbing the occasional crust, working on a never ending project – discovering the true merits of every racehorse in the UK and Ireland. It was the Bletchley Park of horse race betting.
So disciplined were they in achieving consistency in reporting that, if you didn’t know it was impossible, you’d say the writing, the essays, the race summaries were the work of one person.
After Betfair’s takeover, Timeform lost not only that mysticism, but much of their credibility in my opinion, by splintering their service and abandoning consistency in selections. Their Betfair race summaries, offering a 1,2,3, put up different selections from those suggested by other ‘services’ within Timeform. The Jury would disagree with their colleagues on the Betfair service, or Timeform reps on Timeform radio (serious damage to the mystic aspect done there too, imo). That complete loss of consistency was a huge mistake, I think.
For a while they were supplying a service to bookmakers too (I don’t know if this still goes on).
So, when they were in their pomp, they were mysterious, ultra-consistent and uniform in their reporting and tipping, they were expensive, their annuals were close to works of art. Consumers in retail surveys might have described them as the Harrods of tipsters. I wonder what such a survey would show now?
I’d love to see them get back to where they used to be. To do so, I suspect they’d need a football chairman type sugar daddy who wanted the restoration out of love rather than profit.
It might be less mysterious, but Timeform would have drowned had they not embraced the internet age Joe. However, agree the 1-2-3 has confused punters, many believing it to be THE Timeform tip/tips. 1-2-3 is done most often before betting for the race is known; so can not account for value. It is only a “tip” for those more concerned with getting a winner than making an over all profit. Going also has far less to do with the 1-2-3, because it is written before the true state of ground is known. Obvious once going and price available is taken in to account Timeform Jury will arrive at a different conclusion than the 1-2-3 verdict.
Timeform Master Ratings and write ups (what subscribers get) are as “ultra-consistent” as ever – if anything (in my experience) better than ever. Saw a criticism earlier in this thread saying Timeform was these days less to do with time. I disagree, although it may be less about over all times – sectional times/pace is an intrinsic part. Marking up a performance when it could have done better without sectionals being to its disadvantage. Remember when Toronado was rated higher than Dawn Approach going in to the Sussex Stakes despite the Irish horse coming out on top at both Newmarket and Ascot. From what I understand, Timeform’s way of handicapping horses is also more about time beaten than distance beaten.
Timeform Radio reps come to their own conclusion on what’s a good bet, just as anyone subscribing/using Timeform (plus their own knowledge/opinion) will come to their own. There has been overkill, “Timeform” views on At The Races, non-Timeform racecourse Racecards etc. However, although some might see non-uniformity as a negative – Embracing the age we live in (internet, digital radio, two racing channels etc.) is necessary to survive let alone prosper. Not to do so would have lost out on a big market. The “Mystic” age has gone.
Value Is Everythinga race card for york dante meeting,my yearly three day pilgrimage to the great course.I was shocked to see small imagines of the sun next to trainers name,depicting yard in hot form,or an icicle if out of form.
Have been a great believer in trainers in/out of Form for many years. However, do think the Timeform Trainers In/Out Of Form symbols leave a lot to be desired. Like a lot of this type of thing they seem to register all too late and keep them in too long. Even though I use Timeform to figure out my own Trainer in/out of form ratings (clicking the trainer’s name on a racecard/pass) seldom agree with those Timeform symbols. Mine also have a degree of “in” or “out” of form. Instead of one Sun for in and one frosty snow flake for out, my ratings have 10 possibilities: ***, **, *, */, //, /, /-, -, -x and x.
Value Is EverythingOne outstanding piece of consumer support I remember back in the late 80’s, I was a regular devotee and my annual pilgrimage to the Glorious Goodwood and I asked them to send the daily racecards to my lodgings in Littlehampton.
Then the Royal Mail went on strike and as I already had their telephone service also, (I like to cover every angle) they told me to go to the far side of the Goodwood entrances and receive the daily cards, sure enough a Timeform rep. was there waiting to deliver to all who had been let down by the post strike and I always rate their loyalty but I just wish my interpretation and judgement was better..
Lets see how Timeforms Animated Predictor works today.
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