'I laid £3,000 to win £27,000 on Shakem Up'Arry' - soaked layers endure tough times in the betting jungle
John Hughes, positioned in pitch one of the Tattersalls betting jungle, smiles as he sees me approach. He must know a mug when he sees one, but his soaking satchel won't be seeing any of my dough ahead of the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle. I don't want to back anything; I do want to find out what everyone else has backed and whether trade has been good, bad or indifferent.
"You won't believe this," he says, whipping out his phone. "Look at that. Incredible. That will tell you how my week is going. That just about sums it up."
The text message reads: "€150 each-way Franciscan Rock at 100-1."
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inReports
- Tramore: 'This means everything' - joy as Pat Smullen's daughter Hannah partners her first winner
- No Derby, no problem: Frankie Dettori lands big-race double on maiden visit to Penn National
- 'He is far from a veteran and he's hungrier than ever' - Dermot Weld teams up with the Aga Khan for a famous Oaks triumph
- Epsom: 'Why rush her back?' - Karl Burke sets out autumn target Cheveley Park via black-type race in France for impressive Teej A
- 'She'll be better than today' - Ryan Moore confident Ylang Ylang will improve after Oaks disappointment
- Tramore: 'This means everything' - joy as Pat Smullen's daughter Hannah partners her first winner
- No Derby, no problem: Frankie Dettori lands big-race double on maiden visit to Penn National
- 'He is far from a veteran and he's hungrier than ever' - Dermot Weld teams up with the Aga Khan for a famous Oaks triumph
- Epsom: 'Why rush her back?' - Karl Burke sets out autumn target Cheveley Park via black-type race in France for impressive Teej A
- 'She'll be better than today' - Ryan Moore confident Ylang Ylang will improve after Oaks disappointment