In following up on last week’s theme of punter confidence, taking losses on the chin, etc., we received a nice letter on the subject from Hugh Martin, a Brighton-based regular gambler (“especially horses”).

He writes: “Thank you for your newsletter, which made me consider a few things and may have resulted in a breakthrough, yet only after my 16-year-old daughter gave her own input on the matter.

“So, Gemma is a racing fan like me. I saw in the papers yesterday that Bryony Frost’s followers are riding like her on lounge suites in their homes after she won the King George. Well, my Gemma is perhaps Hollie Doyle’s biggest fan, you should see her in action when Hollie rides in a close finish!

“I was busy looking for a few bets last Wednesday morning when Gemma read your letter. I’d printed it out and she was snooping around my notes (as usual!).

“She said, ‘Dad, this won’t work for everyone. Gamblers can’t focus like golfers. Golfers are born with the talent of switching on and off. You can’t do that, dad, I’ve watched you!’

“Hey,” I said. “Stop reading my e-mails!”

“Gemma said: ‘Dad, this can only work if you take longer breaks from betting!’ And then she went on to quote every prominent lifestyle guru in the business, from Tony Robbins to Eckhardt Tolle to Seneca The Stoic.

“She continued: ‘It’s all proven, people have done it for ages. They switch all tv’s and radios off, take a break for a few days and come back all refreshed, doing whatever they do, better. The guru’s all do this, several times a year, and it works like a charm!’
“I replied: ‘I have no time for holidays girl. Look, I am relaxing, it’s Christmas time!’
‘No, you’re not,’ she said. ‘You are all tense for your next bet!’

“She rushed away to her room and came back with a (rather thick) book, a novel by Stephen King called, ‘The Institute’.

“She said: ‘Dad, take a few days break. Here’s another thing. Reading clears the mind and spirit. You are absorbed in form guides and the next race. Get comfy, away from your betting notes and your laptop. Start reading this and finish it. Try not to look at any racing or sports for just a day. You’ll come back with a fresh mind.’

“We had a brief discussion about her reading of nasty old Stephen King, whom she assured me no longer wrote about ghosts and horrible monsters. This book, she said, was like ‘a cross between Harry Potter and the X-Men, like it was written for teenagers!’

“I chuckled at that, but decided to indulge her (initial studies did not produce a good Wednesday winner anyway!).

“Here is what happened: I was hooked right away. I read through Wednesday and into Thursday, finishing ‘The Institute’ after lunch on Christmas Day. The book was exceptionally good and Gemma came to check on me throughout.

“On Saturday morning, roughly two-and-a-half days after my last punt, I studied the cards for Leopardstown and Wolverhampton spending, maybe 5m per race. I jotted down 14 selections (for 7 races apiece at the two venues), and then circled my six best bets for the day. Five of six won, including Harry Alonzo at 7-1, and one got beaten a short head!

“This was by far the best betting day I’d had in, maybe, three years. Whether it had something to do with a refreshed mind, a new perspective after two days’ break, I don’t know. Gemma, of course, is giving high fives and considering writing a book of her own. (She has the ability, no doubt, the youngsters of today are just so advanced!)

“I am not sure. I want to put this to the test, every midweek, and I hope to repeat the feat at the weekends. It could be sheer luck or co-incidence, but I am willing to do it again, because something clicked and I got the cash!

“I will keep you informed of my progress.”

Interesting indeed, thanks Hugh, and we may need a ‘World Horseplayers Organisation’ to get all these perspectives distributed to punters. But such would have to be abbreviated ‘WHO’ – the same as a certain other organisation that has absolutely no clue what they are doing.

‘The Institute for Gamblers’, perhaps?

Or just The International Racing Club?

Until next week, keep your contributions coming.