Racing-Daily.com – A Q and A

Hi Rory and thanks for joining us this month, first off, could we ask you to start by telling our readers a little about yourself and your background?

Thanks so much! Funnily enough, as I sit here answering these questions, I’ve just turned 37 today (May 12th)! I’m based about 20 minutes outside of Manchester, which isn’t exactly the most convenient location for someone working in racing. My nearest course is Haydock, which is just under an hour away.

My path into racing probably isn’t the most conventional. I originally trained to be a primary school teacher, but I fell out of love with that career path quite quickly. I then found myself in a dull office job, and when I became unwell and had to take some time off, I started going a bit stir crazy, there’s only so much daytime TV you can watch before you feel like throwing yourself out the window!

To keep my mind active, I chatted with a friend who mentioned he was writing a blog. Back in 2012, I didn’t have the faintest clue what a blog even was! Still, I took his advice. As a lifelong racing fan, thanks to my grandad, who made the Grand National a huge annual family event, I decided to write about horse racing.

I had no idea it would gain any traction, but before long, I’d picked up a small following on social media. Then, within a few months, I was approached by OLBG.com, who used to sponsor the Mares’ race at the Cheltenham Festival, asking if they could advertise on my blog. I was stunned.

Fast-forward 13 years from those first few posts, and racing has taken me places I never imagined. Without a journalism degree or any connections in the sport, I’ve managed to carve out a career doing something I truly love, and I feel incredibly lucky for that. 

Would you say that you have a “typical” working day, and how would you describe it?

In all honesty, I still have what I’d call my “proper job” outside of my racing work, though it’s not entirely removed from the industry. I currently work in the marketing and creative department for a global sports betting software company, where I write content across a variety of sports. It suits me perfectly as a bit of a general sports nut!

As for my racing work, let’s just say “typical” is a very loose term. With UK and Irish racing happening 363 days a year, it’s pretty much non-stop. My mornings usually kick off around 7:30am, and the first hour or so is spent uploading racing content to my company’s website, Racing-Daily.com. I also do a quick sweep of social media to check for any breaking news I might’ve missed overnight.

After that, I brief the Racing Daily team on anything worth keeping an eye on for the day ahead before switching hats and doing my 9-to-5.

Once 5pm hits, I’m back in racing mode. I tend to look a couple of days ahead to start plotting out my selections. That usually involves scanning the formbook, watching race replays, and narrowing things down to a shortlist, though sometimes my “shortlist” feels more like War and Peace! From there, I do a much deeper analysis into the horses that catch my eye.

I’ll then start prepping write-ups and finalise my NAP selection for the following day. Truth be told, the way I personally bet doesn’t really align with the NAPs format. I’m more inclined to hunt for each-way value to aim for steady, smaller profits, or I’ll combine a few picks into low-stakes multiples. So, while I managed to win the NAPs competition, it’s not necessarily my natural betting style!

What do you think of the world of sports tipping in general and what do you think people are in search of when it comes to their hunt for a successful tipster?

As boring as it might sound, most people look at tipsters’ selections for one reason: they want winners. A lot of punters aren’t overly concerned with how a selection is found, just as long as it wins. That said, punters come in all shapes and sizes, and I’d much rather cater to those who want to understand the process behind a selection, not just be handed the end result.

With the rise of social media over the past 15 to 20 years, tipsters are ten a penny, especially on X (formerly Twitter). That’s why, on Racing Daily, we make a real effort to provide more than just tips, offering added-value content, insights, and racing coverage that goes beyond selections. Of course, race previews and tips are still a major draw for many, and we absolutely respect and understand their importance to our audience.

Although I do provide tips, I tend to avoid calling myself a “tipster.” I’m not entirely sure why, perhaps because the term has become somewhat diluted. It’s a crowded space, and while there are some incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated individuals (many far better than myself), there are also plenty looking to make a quick buck without much expertise.

Any honest punter or tipster will tell you that luck plays a part. You can study every stat, form line, and metric under the sun, but all it takes is one jockey error or an unforeseen incident to derail your “sure thing.” That’s why I really cringe when I see phrases like “max bet” or “put the mortgage on it.” Those kinds of irresponsible claims are not only misleading, they’re dangerous.

Take someone like The Racing Blogger. I don’t know him personally, and I appreciate his larger-than-life personality has helped popularise racing to a new generation. But it’s a fine line between engaging content and failing to take responsibility for the messaging you’re putting out. Phrases like the ones I mentioned can easily encourage reckless gambling, especially among casual punters.

That’s why I never show my own personal stakes. I’d never tell people to double or triple their bet; everyone's financial situation is different. Honestly, I’m not a big-stakes gambler myself. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve bet more than £200 on a horse. Some people wouldn’t think twice about dropping £1,000, while for others, a £20 bet might be a serious stretch.

I come from a working-class background, and I feel a strong sense of responsibility not to lead people into betting beyond their means. I’d feel genuinely awful if someone lost money they couldn’t afford because I’d hyped up a selection irresponsibly. That’s why, at Racing Daily, we keep our tone light, measured, and pressure-free. Betting should be fun, not a financial burden.

Do you regularly bet yourself? What style of approach do you take to your betting? What do you think of staking plans, loss retrieval systems etc.?

Yes, I do bet myself, and without sounding like a walking advert for a certain betting firm, the old saying is true: “It matters more when there’s money on it.” That said, now that I’m in my mid-to-late 30s with a family to support, I’m nowhere near as reckless as I was in my carefree early 20s. Having responsibilities has actually made me a better punter. It’s forced me to be far more selective and thoughtful about the bets I place, simply because I can’t afford to bet as frequently or frivolously as I once did.

As I mentioned earlier, I try to keep my stakes fairly consistent and consider myself very much a value hunter. I’d much rather back a horse at a bigger price who I believe can outrun its odds than take a short-priced favourite. That said, I’m not averse to including a few shorties in low-stakes multiples just for a bit of added interest.

Two markets that have worked well for me lately are place-only (also referred to as Top Finish) and Match Bets.

If I fancy one at a decent price, I’ll often back it each way, but I’ll also look at the Top Finish market, which can offer more place options than the standard each-way terms.

For example, in a 16-runner race, I might find a horse priced at 20/1. I’ll back it each way with four places, but the Top Finish market might offer 6/4 for it to finish in the top seven. I’ll place my standard each-way bet but also stake slightly more on the place-only option. If the horse finishes sixth, I’ll likely cover my each-way losses and make a small profit, and if it lands in the top four or even wins, it’s a great result all round. I’ve also started combining a few of these place-only picks into doubles or trebles when I don’t have anything I strongly fancy for win purposes.

For me, the key to betting is discipline. I never place a bet just for the sake of it. There are times, especially when I’m not personally invested in any strong fancies, where I can go weeks or even a full month without having a single wager. That can be tough when I’m having to give a daily NAP for the Racing Post, but I always try to keep personal and professional betting decisions separate.

On a more personal note, one niche challenge I’ve encountered comes from friends, family, or colleagues outside the racing world. Once they find out what I do, it’s not long before I’m hit with the usual:

“Do you gamble a lot?”

“Do you win much?”

“Got any tips?”

I’ve learned to take it in good humour and usually keep my answers vague. The last thing I want is to be the reason someone close to me loses money. If I eventually cave and give a selection, the next question is always: “How much should I put on?” My go-to response? “Can you afford to put it in the bin?” That usually earns a confused look, which is when I explain: unless you’re comfortable scrunching that note up and tossing it away, you probably shouldn’t be betting with it.

From a professional standpoint, I strongly advise against chasing losses or adopting aggressive staking plans. It’s a slippery slope that very few recover from. Betting should be enjoyable and controlled, never something that causes financial strain or stress. I've been there personally and know how tough that can be.

Without revealing any secrets, could you give us a brief insight into how you go about selecting your runners for the day? How detailed is your process, and what do you believe has given you that winning edge?

I try to make my selection process as thorough as possible, though I’m not arrogant enough to think I’m the best at it, there are plenty of people out there far more skilled at tipping horses than me, and I have a lot of respect for them.

My process actually starts with the races themselves before I even look at the runners. I gravitate toward handicaps more than any other race type. I’m not a breeding expert, so maidens, especially something like the Brocklesby, are a bit of a nightmare for me. I approach those with extreme caution.

That said, I do appreciate the top-class Group and Graded races as well, and I’ve had some very good days at the bigger meetings. But from a punting point of view, handicaps are where I really get excited, because good horses can hide in handicap company, no matter what level it’s at.

When it comes to key elements, there are three or four things I’m immediately drawn to.

Course form is a big one, some tracks demand it more than others. For example, places like Doncaster and Catterick are tracks where previous form counts for a lot, whereas at somewhere like Newbury, it’s less of a factor.

Weight or official rating is another crucial aspect. If a horse is carrying too much weight for the level it’s running at, you can sometimes rule them out straight away, but not always. Don’t be put off by a horse carrying top-weight if it’s dropping from group company into a handicap. A classic example of this is Denman’s win in the Hennessy Gold Cup, one of the best weight-carrying performances in modern history. He gave 13lbs or more to the rest of the field and still powered home.

Then you’ve got the more “textbook” but still vital components: ground, draw bias (on the flat), trip, and pace angles. All are essential in forming a full picture.

Another often-overlooked factor is seasonal preference, some horses seem to come alive during a certain time of year. That can be tricky to spot unless they’re seasoned campaigners, but now and then you’ll see a horse whose entire win record comes from a specific month or two.

Lastly, and this is a big one, I try my best to avoid letting betting markets influence my decisions. If I have the option to turn off the prices on a digital racecard, I’ll do it. Odds, after all, are just someone’s opinion, whether that’s a bookmaker, an odds compiler, or punters on the exchanges. It can occasionally provide a clue, but more often than not, it’s noise. I prefer to let the form guide me, not the market. 

What attracted you to the world of horse racing and what do you enjoy most about the sport?

I have the Grand National, and my grandfather, to thank (or blame!) for my love of racing. The National was always a huge event at my grandparents’ house, complete with a family sweepstake that got everyone involved. I can still remember the little envelopes with bits of cash sellotaped to the copper fireplace, prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and even a ‘Booby Prize’ so that none of us grandkids went home empty-handed. We’d get a £1 coin slipped into our palms like it was some sort of secret drug deal!

I was a really mild-mannered, calm kid, except for those 12 to 15 minutes the National was on. I’d be shouting at the telly, completely engrossed. Somehow, I’d memorise exactly which horse everyone had drawn in the sweep, a bit of a Rain Man moment, to be honest. I even loved opening the newspaper on National morning to see the giant two-page spread of all the brightly coloured silks.

Although many say the Grand National isn’t what it once was, I still turn into a giddy kid every year. I nip out to grab the paper with the full race pull-out, just like I used to.

As I got older, it became a Saturday ritual to visit my grandparents. My Grandad and I would sit with the racing pages and go through the cards together. He slowly taught me what all the numbers, symbols, and abbreviations meant. Before long, I was recognising jockeys, trainers, and even individual horses, it became second nature.

My love of board games and puzzles also played a part. For me, a race is like a puzzle to solve. Some people love a crossword or Sudoku, I get that same buzz from working out a racecard.

Later on, my Grandma (on the other side of the family) remarried, and I was lucky enough to gain an amazing surrogate grandad, George. He was a former dairy farmer from the Shropshire countryside, and his dad used to own and train a few point-to-pointers. George knew animals and the farming world inside out and also shared a love of racing. So, by my early teens, I had two grandfathers from very different backgrounds, both deeply connected to the sport.

My only regret is that my Grandad and George are no longer with us to have seen me win the Racing Post NAPs competition as I know they'd have been so proud and would appreciate more than anyone what it would take to win it.

I remember going to my first-ever race meeting with my Grandma and George when I was 13, it was at Uttoxeter, and I absolutely loved it. Seeing racing up close gave me a whole new appreciation for the sport. It wasn’t just about punting anymore; it became about the athleticism, the atmosphere, and the animals themselves.

Even now, that appreciation helps ground me. Sometimes I just watch a race, particularly the top-class ones, with no bet riding on it at all. There’s something special about seeing great horses do what they love. It reminds me why I got into this sport in the first place: the majesty, brilliance, and pure awe of it all.

What led you into the world of racing tipsters and what do you feel you can offer racing enthusiasts and punters that other tipsters cannot?

I’d never claim to be better than any other tipster, I think that would be disingenuous, but I do believe I have my own set of unique selling points.

As much as I adore racing, it’s fair to say that, like many industries, nepotism plays a significant role. It’s often not what you know, but who you know. And when it costs an arm, a leg, and a hefty cheque just to get a foot in the door, it can be incredibly tough for a working-class lad from the North West to break into those circles.

That’s why I think my unconventional path into the sport reflects my dedication and love for it. Nothing was handed to me on a plate,I had to graft for every opportunity. I also believe that background gives me a better understanding of my audience. I’m cut from the same cloth. I don’t carry myself with any sense of arrogance or self-importance, I’m just someone who loves racing and is happy to chat to anyone about it.

I started this journey with nothing more than a laptop and a passion for the sport. Despite plenty of doors being slammed in my face along the way, I’m still here, still doing what I love. And thankfully, my recent success in the Racing Post Naps competition has made a few people sit up, take notice, and perhaps eat a little humble pie.

Racing Daily was created by racing fans, for racing fans. It grew organically from what was meant to be nothing more than a hobby. That makes us, myself included, far more approachable and accessible to our audience. Our goal is to make racing analysis understandable and engaging without ever dumbing it down. And for us, it’s not just about finding winners. We take the responsibility of our influence on people’s betting seriously. We’re everyday punters who love the sport, speaking with fellow fans,  nothing more, nothing less.

That’s also why we don’t run a paid tipping service and only ever quote starting prices (SP). There’s no point bragging about landing a 33/1 winner if it was only that price for the first hour the market opened. Chances are, most of our readers wouldn’t have seen our content in that window. Quoting SP means we give our audience the most realistic, worst-case scenario, and to us, that’s only fair.

It might not help us from a marketing point of view, and it certainly doesn’t make us as boastful as some out there, but fairness is what matters. In an industry full of people bending the truth to suit their narrative, we’d rather be honest, even if it costs us a few clicks.

What would you consider to be a highlight of your racing experience to date? Do you have any personal racing/betting experiences which when reflecting brings a smile, or for that matter any which bring a grimace; you can share with our readers?

Winning the Racing Post Naps Competition is definitely one of the standout highlights of my career so far — especially given how dramatically it all unfolded on the final day. Of course, the prize money was a lovely bonus, but the real reward was the sense of accomplishment. It felt like a bit of a two-fingered salute to anyone who had ever looked down on me or the close-knit Racing Daily team, dismissing us as lacking credibility or not being “serious” enough. We took it to the big boys and came out on top. We’ve earned our seat at the table.

Another big highlight for me was getting the chance to interview former champion jockey Richard Johnson. I had the opportunity to video call him and ask him a series of questions. He was incredibly generous with his time, nothing was too much trouble. You sometimes expect elite sportspeople to be a bit reserved or hard to reach, just because they’ve had to be so focused and disciplined in their careers. But Richard was the total opposite, warm, down-to-earth, and genuinely lovely to talk to.

My only regret from that interaction? During the interview, I asked him which horse from his career he thought never got the credit it deserved. He replied, Balthazar’s Gift — a horse I happen to be a massive fan of. Without really thinking it through, I rolled up my sleeve and showed him a tattoo I have of Balthazar’s Gift’s silks. It must’ve looked like a mix between a magic trick and a creepy superfan moment.

Anyone who's a fan of Alan Partridge will probably recall a certain episode that springs to mind, let’s just say it had that kind of energy!

The current racing format seems to be heading towards many races with mediocre quality. How would you suggest readers navigate the multitude of small field races we have been seeing recently? Avoidance or do they have a part to play in our betting portfolios?

The sheer volume of racing in the UK is something I’ve got a bit of a personal grievance with. I know that might sound counterintuitive coming from someone who’s dedicated to the sport, but sometimes the old saying “less is more” genuinely applies, and I think this is especially true in the National Hunt sphere.

In contrast, I think the Irish have struck a better balance. There’s a reason Willie Mullins and his fellow trainers dominate at Cheltenham, fewer meetings mean better-quality racing and more competitive fields. With fewer opportunities to dodge one another, the top horses actually have to meet on the track, and that raises the standard across the board.

I often compare the current state of racing to boxing. We’ve developed an obsession with unbeaten records, and just like in boxing, horses are increasingly kept apart to preserve that ‘perfect’ run. The result? You often see top-class horses stringing together wins, but when you dig into their form, you realise they’ve only faced five or six rivals in each race. It leaves you feeling a bit short-changed.

From a punting perspective, I think selective engagement is key, regardless of field size. Small fields can be tricky, especially when tactical pace plays a major role. But they also offer opportunities if you can read the shape of the race correctly. I’d never advocate for blanket avoidance of small fields. Like any race, each should be assessed on its individual merits. Some can actually be easier to work out than big-field handicaps, though others can be far more complicated.

As someone who generally prefers each-way bets, though, I’ll admit I like to see at least five runners lining up. Without that, it can feel like you’re not getting a fair shot at value.

What about the gambling industry, is there anything you’d like to see changed there? Many website forums are full of criticisms of the bookmakers and their treatment of their customers. Is this something you have an opinion on?

Absolutely. I believe there needs to be far more fairness and transparency in how bookmakers operate. The practice of restricting or even banning winning accounts, while giving unrestricted access to those who consistently lose, is fundamentally flawed. It creates a lose-lose situation for punters, where the odds are increasingly stacked in the bookmaker's favour, and that’s not how a fair betting environment should work.

As strange as it may sound, bookmakers these days aren’t really willing to gamble. Ante-post markets no longer offer the value they once did because bookies are afraid of pricing something incorrectly and getting caught out. They’ve become far less generous, and far more cautious, and if a punter happens to spot a weakness or find value, they’re often swiftly limited or even banned altogether.

I’d love to see a return to the days when bold punters could take on bold bookmakers, a proper clash of minds and opinions, rather than algorithms versus algorithms and automated restrictions the moment someone shows a hint of profitability.

Affordability checks are another hot topic. I fully understand the importance of protecting vulnerable people, and I’ve seen first-hand, from my time working in a betting shop, just how devastating gambling addiction can be. But at the same time, the current narrative around gambling often feels overly negative and, at times, hypocritical.

Smoking and drinking, despite all the health campaigns and smoke-free initiatives, are still seen as more socially acceptable than gambling. I imagine part of the reason is taxation, tobacco and alcohol are heavily taxed, while gambling winnings remain tax-free. Yet I’d argue the gambling industry, especially in 2025, contributes more to the UK economy than tobacco companies now do.

There has to be a balance. Protecting the most vulnerable is absolutely essential but so is respecting individual freedom. It’s difficult to accept that someone placing a bet might be subject to income verification, while someone ordering their fourth pint at a pub, buying another packet of cigarettes, or spending thousands on designer clothes in a shopping centre isn't asked a single question about affordability.

We don’t know people’s personal finances or what impact their spending might have on their household, and the minute we start trying to control that through selective restrictions, we risk crossing a line.

Once you begin to remove personal choice and dictate what people can or can’t do with their own hard-earned money, it becomes a dangerous and slippery slope.

What do you do to relax and unwind? What interests have you outside the world of horse racing?

I’m an absolute sports nerd, so there’s usually a race result or live score on my phone screen at any given time.

That said, when I do finally manage to peel myself away from the sporting world, I make a real effort to spend quality time with my family. It’s hugely important to reconnect with life beyond the four walls of my home office, one of the downsides of working from home is the lack of day-to-day human interaction.

I’ve recently moved house, so I’m also trying to put down some proper roots in the new community. I’ve joined the local pub darts and dominoes team, “Up The Hatters!”, though I’ll admit I couldn’t throw a decent dart to save my life.

I’m still chasing my first 180, but I’m hopeful it’ll happen one day!

Many thanks to Rory for his time. You can read more at Racing-Daily.com