At a time when we’re told data is king, robots are more efficient than us and artificial intelligence is taking over the world, it’s cheering to hear there’s hope for the human factor in horse racing gambling. It’s particularly welcome that this message comes from someone renowned for making millions from mathematical expertise and number-crunching methodology. Patrick Veitch is a famous British professional punter who has landed legendary gambles – many, but not all, as a result of intense data analysis.
But nowadays Veitch is advising young followers of the sport seeking to follow in his footsteps: forget the data and watch replays of race videos. Closely. His latest interview with Racing Post is behind a paywall, but the basis of Veitch’s new perspective is that the betting market has changed, with the advent of betting exchanges, rule changes and so many people adopting his very own strategy of sifting numbers.
Today there are far fewer chances to beat the market than there were in his heyday. ‘Have your own opinion’ He says: “..
.the value is probably swinging back around to a very good video analyst. “Studying the form with a few clicks, you’re going to struggle to beat them [i.
e. bookmakers, commercial tipsters and other professional punters]. But if you can make yourself into a good enough video analyst, you will spot things that those programmes won’t.
” Veitch adds: “You need to have your own opinion. That doesn’t work by simply taking th.
