Sandbets recover to claim September honours

Published: 04/10/2019

It’s been a torrid year for Sandbets. The All-Weather specialists who finished fourth in the Toptipsters table in 2017 and again last year, have struggled to find a rhythm in 2019. Apart from a 19-point yield in April, it’s been a challenging year. But September brought a change of fortune: a 25.57-point gain secured the monthly crown, the first such achievement since the equivalent month last year.

Newcomers SAS Racing took second spot in the September listing with a modest 2.69-point loss with TV Racing Tips back in third.

Sandbets revival began midway through the month with a flurry of winning selections, notably Fragrant Belle (11/1, Chelmsford City, 14 September), Muqarred (12/1, Southwell, 19 September) and Broughton Excels (11/1, Chelmsford City). A further 11 winners were secured from a total of 52 bets (27% Strike-rate), which produced a return on investment (ROI) of 38%. Both figures were in line with returns from 2018, when an overall profit of more than 108 points was attained.

A 38% return on investment over a single month is a pay-out not to be sniffed at, but it’s the record of selections at Chelmsford City that catches the eye. Four winners from 16 resulting in a 37.56-point gain and an outstanding 235% ROI.

The success of the Andrew Balding-trained filly, Chil Chil at Newmarket on 26 September, gave Toptipsters’ debutant, SAS Racing, a memorable baptism. This 6/1 winner, and three from four at Southwell ensured day one began with a healthy profit. Further winners followed over the next three days including 11/2 Gleeds Girl (Bath, 30 September).

The end result – a small loss – was, perhaps, a disappointing conclusion, but October has begun well and last month’s losses have been paid back with interest. Early days, but a 41.90% ROI looks promising.

Rose Of Kildare – an 8/1 Ayr winner (21 September) was the best of TV Racing Tips five September winners. The other four were priced between 5/1 and 11/2. All bets are advised to win, but any subscribers backing each way would have enjoyed plenty of pay-outs including 50/1 Show Stealer (third at Ayr, 21 September), 25/1 Golden Horde (second at Newmarket, 28 September) and 16/1 Prince Of Arran (third at Kempton Park, 7 September). The bare figures (in this case an 18-point loss) do not always convey the true picture.

Despite taking a heavy September loss, Class 1 Racing are still up and lead the 2019 race with an overall profit of 50.70 points. Sprint Specialiser also suffered last month, but given the volatility that has typified the year, it’s far too early to write off of last year’s runners-up.