Trading Christmas racing markets
It’s almost time to relax, but typically this can start and end sooner than you expect on racing markets.
Pre-Christmas period
The markets in the run up to Christmas day can be a bit barren. Indeed, this year, they thin out completely. We have some low-quality fodder through the week, then one Irish evening card on the 23rd and, obviously, nothing on the 24th and 25th.
It actually works well this year, as it means you can most likely take the entire week off commencing the 19th and not really miss anything. So that’s what I’m intending to do. Christmas really has come early this week.
I’ll put some automation on, but I’m not expecting much from it. Especially when we have Ffast Los on Wednesday.
Post Christmas period
The period after Christmas day this year is interesting if a bit chaotic. The King George meeting at Kempton is obviously a feature and I’ve often pulled a good result out of this. The issue you will have, is finding anything outside of this.
There are eleven meetings on boxing day and it will be chaos, clashing races will be the order of the day. I tend to just pick off the races at Kempton and then return to the living room and be sociable. Generally, I wouldn’t recommend trading Boxing day unless you are confident you will get good money from it. Your social commitments will be far more important.
As the week trundles on you can pick off some good opportunities elsewhere. The festival at Leopardstown can be great but some of the other stuff can throw up opportunities. If you don’t have commitments, this week can be a useful end to the year.
New years day
If you haven’t overdone the booze then New Years day is a smaller version of boxing day. Cheltenham sticks out as the traditional feature on this day, but you will run into the same problems as on boxing day of races clashing etc.
I tend to do all my socialising and good deeds in the week before Xmas. I miss some racing, but nothing special and that leaves the deck clear for family time and picking off a few opportunities between Boxing day and new year.
Whatever you do, don’t forget to enjoy yourself! After all, it is Christmas. Have a Merry Christmas!!
Category: General
