- This topic has 15 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 19 years, 5 months ago by
.
- Posts
Hi
<span style=”font-size: 12px;”>Have you ever bought a TimeForm Annual?</span>
I have never bought one.  Shame on me! "sorry…."
If you do how do you put it to good use?
byefrom<br>carlisle<br>
(Edited by carlisle at 8:19 am on Nov. 27, 2006)
I’ve got them all back to 61 and a few earlier ones as well. I eagerly await their arrival and avidly read the essays on the leading or more controversial horses.
I like to go back over them from time to time and it makes fascinating reading to look at a young horse who later becomes a champion racehorse or influential stallion.
However I cannot say that they have made one jot of a difference to my betting with the exception of my 40/1 bet on North Light for the Derby.
Limited use as a betting tool but, as Adrian says, fascinating reading both at the time and for many years afterwards. Expensive, but very much value for money.
Stopped buying them in 2004. Will occasionally look at some of my old ones and find them great for bringing back memories of years gone by.<br>Stopped buying flat form books in 2005. If anyone desperate for some 1971 to 2004 flat form books (in varying conditions), let me know.
Quote: from Grasshopper on 2:20 pm on Nov. 27, 2006[br]<br>Some of the short commentaries are picquantly observed though. :biggrin: :cool:
If I knew what ‘picquantly’ meant, I would fully concur. :biggrin:
I used to get them each year but haven’t for 2 or 3 years now. Main reason is that I never really got round to reading them!
No. I personally don’t rate anything Timeform does. If I used their figures I’d be a tramp in a gutter by now.
Still can’t get over their 138 for Celtic Swing lol I will never get over that till the day I die. ;)
I find the annuals little more than a thoroughly enjoyable review of the past season; one that revives memories good and bad in an incomparably lucid, rational and objective manner with a little gentle humour thrown in for good measure. It’s probably due in some measure to the world-weariness that accompanies the passing of the years but I do find the essays – in general – are a tad more prone to cliche and sensationalism than in days of yore but that’s nit-picking really.
As an aid to betting/form study I’d echo Grasshopper’s comments about the opening of eyes for the novice; but racing, particularly on the Flat, is too dynamic for the supplied ratings to be of much use months down the road.
The annuals themselves are a pleasure to own, admire and handle being most tactile, sensuous and aromatic. Robust shelves a must for storage.
Quote: from The Market Man on 4:35 pm on Nov. 27, 2006[br]Still can’t get over their 138 for Celtic Swing lol I will never get over that till the day I die
Don’t we know it.
Just a quick look at the RP website shows a topspeed for Celtic Swing at 135 and RPR at 133.
Quote: from davidjohnson on 5:12 pm on Nov. 27, 2006[br]Just a quick look at the RP website shows a topspeed for Celtic Swing at 135 and RPR at 133.
<br>Still way too high.
I won’t go on about it, I do have a tendancy to rant I know lol.
It’s a no for me .. I’m not really interested in what other people think, I’ve got plenty of opinions of my own which I hold in the highest regard.<br>:biggrin:
Hi dave jay
why am I not surprised.  Sorry mate you asked for that one.
byefrom<br>carlisle
"No man is a cottage pie"
(Edited by carlisle at 8:41 am on Nov. 28, 2006)
Cheers carlisle .. the only thing this publication would be good for is generating a list of horses to lay or levelling up a table with a short leg.
This book is by far more useful, in my humble opinion.
Often thought about it, but a bit like Wisden, a lot of it would remain unread and i would wonder too (especially on the flat) what real use it would be going forward.
But regardless of their ratings, i do like the quality of the writing (from the bits ive seen)
On a more basic level, the 50 to follow on Timeform is a nice pre season read and I was impressed with the Trainers Statistical review this year.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.