Back on this thread again after about 18 months with something slightly different, which may be of some interest - hopefully

. Looking through my photocopies from from the original Sport Forum around 44 years ago, although they are getting rather tattered now along with myself, what follows interested me. You may think why could that be better than just reading through the Tony Peach booklets, well for me it's the timeline when the information was published that is of value. In this case it is a review of the previous two years by VDW.
Flying Dutchman Believes in Consistency (Sporting Chronicle Handicap Book, March 13, 1980)
Quote; 'Initially I submitted a method based on two factors with which individuals may or may not agree. Fist, consistent horses win a igh percentage of races and second, the first five or six in the betting forecast contain a high percentage of winners. These two factors combined narrow the field down to an area of prospective winners , but they are not the only ones.'
'If you compare two private handicaps for instance , thay can differ to an alrming degree. without going into the reasons for this, I do not wish to imply that ratings have no value, but I do subscribe to the view that they must be couple with other aspects to have a worthwhile meaning.'
'Readers who rely on ratings may deduce that by taking the top five or six rated and coupling with the five or six most consistent horses in the field they will trap a lot of winners. Try it and you will find it interesting. In non-hcaps may I suggest sticking to the top four rated'.
Goodwood (today) (going forecast G - GF watering) RP verdict Breaking Light (3 pundits agree 8 oppose)
5.20 Market expected 08.45 no's 3, 4, 6, 7, 12, 13 in dicating a win restricted to these. Theoretical strong fav 11/4, contender 11/2, not expected longer than 11/1.
Columns: RPR/VDW consitency rating
1. 97* - 24 (125/1 mkt)
2. 95* - 24 (12/1)
3*. 99* - 21 (10/1)
4*. 94 -
5. 95* - 16 (18/1)
6*. 96* - 12* (9/2) Crystal Caprice 4 tips (D). LTO 20 +2lbs +2cls? same jck. 1/5 +7L led went clear riddenhardran on well. M Stoute rates 16.
7*. 95* - 14* (17/2) System. LTO 17 +2lbs =cls same jck. 2/10 -nk made challenge led hung right kept on headed hung right.
8. 93 -
9. 96* - 12 (16/1)
10. 94 -
12*. 94 -
13*. 95* - 10* (7/2) Breaking Light 4 tips. LTO 11 =lbs +1cls? H Doyle up today. 1/7 +2 1/4L ridden headway to lead soon clear readily.
Comment: That's my attempt at applying the advice. Looks difficult on paper with the RPR being close and with fillies you never know if their heads are right on the day. Go with the crowd on Crystal Caprice and Breaking Light.
ATR form verdict in comparison.
CRYSTAL CAPRICE got off the mark in impressive fashion at Yarmouth on her third outing earlier in the month and the daughter of Frankel makes plenty of appeal on her handicap debut. Breaking Light took a big step forward when scoring at Haydock and a 5lb rise is unlikely to stop her from being competitive. System was just denied when upped to a mile at Ascot and she is capable of being in the mix along with Flash Betty, who is of interest dropping in grade.
Top Tip: CRYSTAL CAPRICE (6)
Watch out for: BREAKING LIGHT (13)