Interface Publications
£6.95

They're under starter's orders - and they're off! Yes, the race from bookshop to bookies is on. Now, hundreds of hopeful punters will be using their Speccies in a bid to increase the odds in their favour at the races. Of course, the question the big money's asking, is can it be done, and more immediately, does this book show you how?

First though for a confession. I've had a crack at solving the problem this book tackles but without much success. Look at me - reduced to making a bob or two writing for YS. (Hmm, you're even taking a gamble with that! Ed). Well, as an experienced punter himself, the author's 'currently profitable' system sounds like a good enough bet. The trouble is that the details of the wonder system don't actually appear in the book. Instead, you get an outline of the various approaches to the problem but you're still left with the much trickier task of solving it yourself.

So, what have you got to take into account before placing your bets? The author reckons that by considering such variables as the horse's weight, what it had for breakfast, its usual performance and so on, you'll have a better chance of picking the winner - and if not every time, then at least often enough to make a profit. Nothing new in this, you might say. Neither are his traditional points system nor his speed rating method world-shattering revelations.

Each system is clearly explained, which should prove useful to programmers new to horse racing but regular punters are going to be disappointed that no definitive system is recommended.

You're presented with an example program For each of the different systems described and there's also a helpful section on how to input and display data. And the bit I found especially useful was the simulation program that lets you compare the results of past races. I just wish the process for modifying unprofitable methods was described in more detail.

If you're going for a gamble on the gee-gees then this book gives an enjoyable intro to racing systems, but I can't see experienced race-goers finding much help in the programming hints. Paul Worden's system may well be ahead of the field but he's careful not to give too many secrets away, that's for sure. A true mark of confidence and a sure-fire way to shift copies would have been if he'd taped a tenner to the inside cover - I fancy a flutter and I'm willing to try anybody's system if they come up with the cash. Never one to look a gift horse in the mouth, as they say!