When Bresbet launched a month ago, they announced that they were returning to ‘old fashioned bookmaking’. The ethos of the company was that betting companies had become lazy and risk averse. Build in big percentages, cream off the easy money, and refuse bets to anyone showing even the vaguest impression of being a shrewdie.
While laying ante post best and betting throughout recent Category One events might have seemed brave, tonight at Romford they really venture into the deep end for the first time.
Their pledge is to bet to ‘110% or less” on the 12 open races is practically goading punters to take them on.
Spokesman Sam Tweed said: “This company is full of greyhound people. Whether its the odds compilers or traders, we think we can be more competitive than the ‘man versus machine’ situation that has developed.
“Punters can’t get on and have become disillusioned. Our people have their own opinions and are prepared to back them.
“Friday night at Romford is probably the main staple of the open race calendar. There are more opens on Saturdays and more things to bet on. We think there is good business to be done on Friday.”
By mid-afternoon, there had been plenty of business taking place.
Tweed said: “The biggest interest today was probably Goldies Jennings. We laid plenty of 6-4 this morning before bringing him into evens, though most companies were odds-on. Right Joe, in the same race, is generally around 5-1. We’ve laid him at 10s.
“We know we will get caught with a few, there are some good judges out there. But we think there is so much margin in what the other companies are laying that we can still make it pay.”
As for the 110% pledge.
Tweed said: “That only kicks in within roughly five minutes or so before the race is due off and the market is fully formed. During the day, it will be closer to 115-120% but that is still better than most of the other companies and there is still plenty of value for those who think we’ve got it wrong.”
