Upping the Ante: Sheep-like betting firms are guaranteed to irk serious punters

Recreational gamblers love guaranteed odds, but they lead to shorter prices as timid bookies play it safe and ape each other

The art of compiling odds for daily races has assumed a different meaning in recent years, due largely to a couple of factors.

Not so long ago, the first price on the horse one fancied was available around 15 minutes before the start of the race in the track’s betting ring. Akin to misguided Russians recalling wistfully the positive aspects of communism while forgetting the prevailing poverty, some seasoned punting allies can harp ...