UK bookies:credit crunch to blame for better starting prices!

PUNTERS are experiencing a better return from bookmakers as a result of a fall in starting price margins on British races, a drop that was attributed on Tuesday to the pressureson racecourse trading brought about by the recession.

Since the percentage overround per runner, the bookmakers' theoretical profit margin, hit a peak of 1.80 in May and June last year - a figure exceeded only once in the previous 62 months - the figures have shown a gradual decline.

Last month the overround on all races was 1.63, down by 7.4 per cent from the previous April, and in the first four months of 2009 overrounds averaged 1.64, compared to 1.73 in 2008, adrop of 5.2 per cent.

Channel 4 betting pundit John McCririck, an arch critic of the SP system, said: "The reason for this is the pinch that racecourse bookmakers are feeling. Turnover is down 25-30 per cent - racecourse bookmakers all say that - so whenever that happens bookmakers have got to offer better prices."

If punters can give racing a two week miss you reckon we will get 10/1 on Pocket Power ?

This country is only now going into recession..wait and watch betting turover here from July onwards

Why have they got both teams tonight at 10/11? They are driving the punters away and another thing driving punters away is the each way betting. On numerous occassions when there is a 16 runner handicap one horse always get pulled just before the off thus only making it a 3 horse each way bet.

oscar Wrote:

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> This country is only now going into
> recession..wait and watch betting turover here
> from July onwards


Oscar my local newsagent used to sell out of the racing post everyday. Nowadays they have returns. Also the betting shops are taking a knock as well because of the recession. Before at lunch times there were at least 40 people in now if there are 5 you are lucky. The race course still attracts lots of pensioners during the week. Its only on the weekends that the money is been wagered as people are holding onto their money. I have closed my on line account at Ladbrokes because its just to easy to press a few buttons and honestly cannot afford it no longer. Its tough in the trenches and we are all feeling it, even the rich are having are tough time.