At the races.

Let’s start with a race card at my nearest track which is Peterborough; as that is the card I know best. Now in the early races which are usually low grade races A10 or A9 I usually use the Racing Post selections or just pick numbers for low stakes; this gives me time to have a drink and go through the rest of the card.

The ‘best times’ of the dogs are listed down the right-hand side with an asterisk indicating the best time. First of all I jot the best time of each dog* in the race in the margin.

Now, later, when I get to the race in question I want to know what the three best times of the six dogs are; instantly! Mainly because there is so little time between races and because there is so much going on with different distractions.

I want to know which trap number dog has the best time* of the six; 2nd best time* of the six; and 3rd best time*. Because I know that one of those three times invariably comes in the forecast and the trio and that gives me a slight edge in the selection process.

I said that I want to know instantly.
As soon as I turn the page!

I instantly know the times because I mark them using hieroglyphs.

Just like the ancient Egyptians I use heiroglyphics to show the 1st 2nd and 3rd best times.

In order to do that I use the same markings that show main traffic routes : the circle, the square and the diamond. At the trap number of the dog with the best of the best times I draw a circle to denote 1st best time. The next best time gets a square ; and the 3rd best time is denoted by a diamond.

○ = 1st best time
□ = 2nd best time
◊ = 3rd best time

Use your own symbols if you wish. You now have instant recognition!