Placespotter
the previous incumbent since we launched in 2010 had been Charles and we thank him for his
long and excellent service and dedication to the role.
Ian will bring to PLACESPOTTER from the 13th May the kind of detailed analysis that he has
delivered to the specialist SP2A Elite Service since it launched in January 2015. We would anticipate that Placespotter will tip on one race per day, approx. 4 or 5 days per week.
Ian uses a no nonsense old fashioned form book approach to research and deliver tips and this involves looking in detail at the career record of each horse in a selected race each day. Ian then cross references form lines, Going and Track preferences, current and historic handicap marks and Trainer form, to arrive at the horse or horse(s) most likely to win, irrespective of price.
This can take up to 4 hours per race, races tend to be, big field Handicaps, that offer the best price value and also enhanced place and Bookmaker odds. This tends to deliver big priced win and place returns and in July 2016, Placespotter has consistently had one f the best returns on investment over a 3;6 and 12 month period on Racing Index, out of over 200 Tipsters.
All tips PROOFED to Racing Index www.racing-index.com and all historic results in SP2A archive
For the benefit of transparency from 1/1/18 ALL Results are recorded to SP to 1 point each way or 2 point win not to specific stakes as advised in Daily Tips e-mail
On the right hand side of the screen is the analysis for the tipster: Placespotter, you can view the data of the last 20 Tips, All Tips for the current year, 2024, and their historical data, all their tips since starting at SP2A. The final tap is a graphical representation of their tips by course. The top pie chart, shows the 10 courses that have given Placespotter, their best return’s (this is a total of the PROFIT on that course) the second Pie Chart give there least profitable course’s, again this is total profit of all tips given for that course. **Holding you mouse over each segment, will reveal the number of tips given for that course, along with the average return.**
Recent Blog Entries for Placespotter
Naas 4.25 Posted: 16/04/2024 16:25
SEAN - Naas 4.25 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 3 and 1/2 furlongs - 19 run - Soft I think that the likes of On My Bike; Rideau Canal, Clonguille Way and a very interesting mare making a return off a 2 year break in Stellar Stow, will all need this r... [Read More]
Limerick 4.55 Posted: 11/04/2024 16:55
SEAN - Limerick 4.55 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 3 furlongs - 17 run - Heavy This is another race where the top 2 look pretty solid and where a reverse forecast may be the best play as I can't split them but there is little e/w value. GETAWAY MA... [Read More]
Naas Thursday 4th April Posted: 04/04/2024 16:50
SEAN - Naas Some big fields at Naas today and I will attack a 25 runner and a 23 runner handicap but fields are not that deep but a few at nice prices could run big races to back up 2 main selections in each race. 4.15 - 2 miles 3... [Read More]
Irish National Fairyhouse 5.00 Posted: 01/04/2024 17:00
SEAN - Irish National - Fairyhouse 5.00 - 3 miles 5 furlongs - 21 run - Heavy We could discuss all 21 runners and many have chances but in reality its all about finding the winner and 4 places to enhanced odds and having discarded the likes of I... [Read More]
Kilbeggan 6.20 Posted: 20/04/2023 18:20
SEAN - Kilbeggan 6.20 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 12 run - Yielding I'm waiting for a full write up from Sean but his brief notes suggests he wants to take on the penalised Cheerful Chap and Ballyglass Beauty, he sees Elliots ... [Read More]
Tipperary 5.00 Posted: 18/04/2023 17:00
SEAN - Tipperary 5.00 Handicap Chase - 2 miles 7 and 1/2 furlongs - 13 run - Yielding to Soft Mahler Appeal and Positive Thinking are in the TRACKER System and have good chances here but doubts in my mind too. Positive Thinking makes Handicap Ch... [Read More]
Aintree 4.05 Posted: 13/04/2023 16:10
SPECULATOR - Open Hunter Chase - 2 miles 5 furlongs (National Course) Soft - 28 run Level weights here, every horse carries 12 stones, so important and valid to have a close look at those used to carrying that sort of weight and those not. Altho... [Read More]
Sean - Fairyhouse 5.00 Posted: 10/04/2023 17:00
SEAN - Irish National Handicap Chase - 3 miles 5 furlongs - 30 run - Yielding > Soft (rain about) I narrowed my short list down to around 8 of the 30 runner field. I think it will be a genuine stamina test after some rain. &nb... [Read More]
Leopardstown 3.05 Posted: 05/04/2023 15:05
SEAN - Leopardstown 3.05 Handicap - 1 mile 2 furlongs - Soft > Heavy - 16 run (+ Reserves) I'm going to tread carefully here but a few are worth following I think going forwards and may just need the run today, there is one in particular thou... [Read More]
Punchestown Wednesday 27th April Posted: 27/04/2022 19:05
SEAN - Punchestown 3.40 Handicap Hurdle - Series Final - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 25 run (with reserves) - Good to Yielding A case of sorting the wheat from the chaff and the only ones really considered at very big prices are Conron who is top weigh... [Read More]
Punchestown 4.50 Posted: 26/04/2022 16:50
SEAN - Punchestown 4.50 Handicap Hurdle - Grade B - 18 run - Good to Yielding. There is a 30% chance of a bit of rain in the morning and the course will have been well prepared and sensibly watered with a dry week forecast so I doubt there ... [Read More]
Sean - Navan 5.21 Posted: 23/04/2022 17:21
SEAN - Navan 5.21 - Handicap - 1 mile 5 furlongs - 20 run - Good A race here a few weeks ago where Scott Lang won from Derrinlour, Female Approach and with White Desert, Rich Belief and Magnetic North all in the first 10 home see... [Read More]
Sean - Kilbeggan 6.15 Posted: 21/04/2022 18:15
Sean - Kilbeggan 6.15 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 7 1/2 furlongs - Good to Yielding - 16 run This is something of a specialist track, very undulating and tight right handed. At the top of the market Pale Blue Dot runner up last twice off 98... [Read More]
Irish National Fairyhouse 5.00 Posted: 18/04/2022 17:00
FAIRYHOUSE 5.00 Irish Grand National - 3 miles 5 furlongs - Yielding - 30 run Ian has already covered the weather and I've looked at all 30 runners in detail and ended up seriously looking at 26 of them!! From that list of 26 I took a bit o... [Read More]
Sean - Cork 4.40 Posted: 17/04/2022 16:40
Cork 4.40 Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 17 run - Yielding (Rain - approx 10-15mm possible ) The Going may be on the softer side of Yielding by time of the race but this is one of the best draining tracks in Ireland so should be no wors... [Read More]
Sean - Clonmel 5.20 Posted: 14/04/2022 17:20
SEAN - Clonmel 5.20 - Handicap Chase - 2 miles 7 furlongs - 14 run - Yielding I think they are all running for second place here as the Mullins runner WHISKEY LULLABY looks very strong, if you want to grab anything around 2/1 as a saver then fee... [Read More]
(Sean) Gowran Park 5.50 Posted: 13/04/2022 17:50
SEAN - Gowran Park 5.50 - Handicap - 1 mile - 16 run - Good to Yielding A lowish draw can be an advantage here but plenty of space to find a pitch to the right hand bend and then round the corner and up the tough hill. You'd ideally want to be p... [Read More]
Tramore 7.00 Posted: 11/04/2022 19:00
SEAN - Tramore 7.00 Handicap Chase - 2 miles 6 furlongs - 14 run - Good to Yielding (some rain so may be Yielding) One of the trickiest NH tracks in Ireland, a short right handed circuit of under a mile, downhill for a long way with a shar... [Read More]
Sean - Curragh Sunday 10th April Posted: 10/04/2022 17:20
SEAN - CURRAGH There are some big field 6 furlong handicaps today at 4.12 and at 5.20, I'm not really fixated on the Draw here as much as wanting to be where the pace is, evidence of Course form, race fitness as an advantage, especially if... [Read More]
(Sean) Aintree Grand National 5.15 Posted: 09/04/2022 17:15
AINTREE - GRAND NATIONAL 5.15 G3 C1 Handicap Chase - 4 miles 2 and 1/2 furlongs - 40 run - Good to Soft (drying but watered) - few spots possible mid morning. Thanks to the joys and benefits of Zoom, we got all of our Tipster together on a ... [Read More]
SEAN Aintree 4.05 Posted: 08/04/2022 16:05
SEAN / IAN - Aintree 4.05 Topham Chase G3C1 - 2 miles 5 furlongs - 30 Run - Good to Soft This is likely to be an absolute cavalry charge and whatever wins will need a huge dollop of luck in running. We saw last year that the best way to possibly... [Read More]
Sean Cork and Fairyhouse Sunday 3rd April Posted: 03/04/2022 14:55
SEAN - Fairyhouse 2.55 Handicap Chase - 2 miles 5 furlongs - Good to Yielding (no rain) 14 run This is the time of year when horses who tend to win in turn and have won a race tend to start reverting back to type and start the process of gobblin... [Read More]
Leopardstown 4.55 Posted: 02/04/2022 16:55
SEAN - Leopardstown 4.55 Tyrconnel - Tracker 1/2 point e/w - I like Star Of Cashel here but the draw looks to be a negative and drawn on the opposite and likely better sige my selection is fit from an AW campaign and has no excuses at a nice pri... [Read More]
Punchestown 6.00 Posted: 29/04/2021 18:00
Punchestown 6.00 Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles - Yielding - 25 run A competitive race in which the top 3 in the market look very solid. Capodanno is the one they'll all have to beat from the mullins yard, eye-catching upped to this trip last ti... [Read More]
Punchestown 3.40 + other snippets Posted: 28/04/2021 19:00
Punchestown 3.40 Hndicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 + 1/2 furlongs - Good to Yielding - 25 runA race that may be a little less deep than the 25 runners indicate.I narrowed it down to around 5 that I was seriously interested in.Towards the top of the mar... [Read More]
Tuesday 27th April Posted: 27/04/2021 19:00
Punchestown 4.50 - Mullins runs 7 in this but the clear value each way stand-out for me is RUAILLE BUAILLE a very cosy course and Distance winner here in September. Has been kept back from the deep heavy winter ground and had a nice run last time rea... [Read More]
Navan 4.50 Posted: 25/04/2021 16:50
NAVAN 4.50 - 1 mile 5 furlongs - Good - 15 run A couple from the Joseph O'Brien yard are dangers here but both Lady Dahlia and Melliferous look a bit short in the market based on known form today. Inshallah Queen is one to keep an eye on at... [Read More]
Curragh 4.15 Posted: 17/04/2021 16:15
SEAN - Placespotter - Curragh 4.15 - 1 mile Handicap - Good to Yielding - 22 run In the Irish Lincoln FAME AND ACCLAIM finished 6th beaten a couple of lengths and is close to market leader here. Was drawn in Stall 15 that day off a mark of 98 an... [Read More]
Gowran Park 5.00 Posted: 07/04/2021 17:00
Gowran Park 5.00 Handicap - 16 run (reserves ensure guaranteed places) Soft > Yielding A galloping track where they need a bit of proven stamina to get up the hill. The start is close to the first bend they encounter so a low draw can be an a... [Read More]
Irish National Punchestown 5.00 Posted: 05/04/2021 17:00
Irish Grand National Day and of the 30 runners between Sean and myself we must have looked at 27 of the runners in terms have having some sort of a chance. Way too many to mention to be honest but let's try to section them off so that ... [Read More]
Cork 4.35 Posted: 04/04/2021 16:35
Cork 4.35 - Handicap Hurdle - 3 miles 80 yards - 17 run - Good / Yielding. An intriguing race, not the least as there are a pair of Reserves who would hold excellent chances IF getting a run and the 2nd favourite is entered in to what looks a be... [Read More]
Fairyhouse 3.30 Posted: 03/04/2021 15:30
Fairyhouse 3.30 Novice Hurdle Series Final - 3 miles (Inner Track) 20 run - Yielding A competitive affair on the Inner Course with a big field and some selective watering to keep the sting out of the ground. It's likely to be run at a fair ... [Read More]
Virtual Grand National - Aintree 5.00 Posted: 04/04/2020 00:00
Good Morning; AINTREE - Virtual Grand National 5.00 suggested 1-2-3-4 are (see analysis below) 17 BURROWS SAINT @ 12/1 / 30 POTTERS CORNER @ 18/1 / 40 WALK IN THE MILL @ 16/1 / 16 BALLYOPTIC @ 25/1... [Read More]
Punchestown - Tuesday 30th April Posted: 30/04/2019 18:40
SEAN - Punchestown 3.40 The annual BANK race starts the Card, Amateur Jockeys who go over the famous, some say infamous Banks in the centre of the Course. The market usually leads here and it is hard to look for a winner beyond Youcannotbes... [Read More]
Fairyhouse 4.10 Posted: 23/04/2019 16:10
Fairyhouse 4.10 A 3 mile Handicap Hurdle Final over 3 miles, I will get the "e/w saver" out of the way first and that is the likely favourite MY SISTER SARAH - Mullins and Ruby, the one to beat IF it gets the trip, so 1 point each way on that and now... [Read More]
Sean - Irish National Fairyhouse 5.00 Posted: 22/04/2019 17:00
A field of 30, 11 from Elliott and 7 from Mullins who has yet to win this race, that's an incredible statistic in itself. The benefits of 2 Trainers so dominating Irish NH Racing is a moot point, best left to another day, my opinion is the issue is n... [Read More]
Cork 4.50 Posted: 21/04/2019 16:50
Cork 4.50 - a challenging 3 mile Handicap Hurdle and plenty of exposed and unexposed types, the kind of race where you can't rule much out, and hard to be 100% confident about ruling anything in but I kept coming back to 2 horses on my form anal... [Read More]
Newmarket 3.35 Posted: 17/04/2019 15:35
Newmarket - Craven 3.35 - this is seen as a major Guineas Trial and market is headed by a pair of Godolphin Horses, Royal Marine trained by Bin Suroor and Zakouski trained by Appleby, I am not convinced by either, Royal Marine has good 2 year ol... [Read More]
Newmarket 1.50 Posted: 16/04/2019 13:50
This early season race will be ideally suited to those with some Course form and proven to be able to win or run well first time out. The meeting tends to be dominated at 3 year old level by Gosden and Hannon but other Trainers like Kevin Ryan,... [Read More]
Grand National Posted: 06/04/2019 17:15
The world’s most famous race takes centre stage this week-end and, whilst it may not be the test it once was, it is still one of the finest spectacles in sport. It is a contest with such a rich tapestry of history and each and every one of... [Read More]
Leopardstown 4.30 Posted: 03/04/2019 16:30
A decent Flat card here in terms of numbers and this at 4.30 race has 13 runners over 1 mile and 2 furlongs. The 3 running's of this race have seen all winners at double figure odds but I can't find anything in that range to support with co... [Read More]
Ripon 2.55 Posted: 28/04/2018 14:55
Ripon 2.55 3 Pipers Note @ 5/1 - 1/2 point each wayThe draw here tends to favour extremes, either high or low but as we saw at the last meeting both have chances, it is more aboutCourse form and where the pace is. You have to play your hand early fro... [Read More]
Perth 3.45 Posted: 27/04/2018 15:45
Perth3.458 Itstimeforapint @ 14/1 PP/BV 10/1 generally½ e/w This could turn in to a real slog over an extended 30 furlongs and most of these are what we can best call "enigmatic".Ballymalin, at the head of the market looks very stro... [Read More]
Ayr 4.45 Posted: 20/04/2018 16:45
P/SAyr4.455 Carnspindle @ 16/1½ e/w1-4 A Mares Hurdle at 4.45 over 3 miles and 70 yards and the Going is rated Good to Soft, a bit of sun and a decentbreeze logically dries the Going out BUT; they have had a hell of a bad winter up there;... [Read More]
Cheltenham 3.15 Posted: 19/04/2018 15:15
Chelt3.1511 Whatdjazz 12/1 /3 Brilliare Momento 6/1½ e/wPP/S 1-5 An all mares Card at Cheltenham should not put us off and we looked at this race and the 3.50 but the enhanced place Odds here are attractive. BRILLIAIRE MOMENTO won on Good... [Read More]
Aintree 1.45 Posted: 13/04/2018 13:45
Aintree 1.45 9 Lough Derg Spirit @ 9/1 (NON RUNNER) / 5 Spiritofthegames @ 9/1 / 12 Massinis Trap @ 16/1 / LANDIN - added at 10:10am (Skybet go odds to 6th place / Lads / Coral / PP go odds to 5th place)Another competitive race with 20 runners a... [Read More]
Monday 9th April Posted: 09/04/2018 17:50
Good MorningThere are 3 excellent NH Fixtures today at Kempton; Ludlow and Wincanton and AW at Wolverhampton. The Card at Kempton; in the context of a Monday is outstandingly competitive stuff; Ludlow and Wincanton stage above average Cards too;... [Read More]
Carlisle 3.55 Posted: 08/04/2018 15:55
Carlisle 3.55 5 Calivigny @ 7/1 / 9 Swing Hard @ 11/1 - 1/2 point each way each.a tricky puzzle over 2 miles and 4 furlongs on drying ground with the closest Going Stick readings to genuine softground seen here in quite a while. You could give chance... [Read More]
Friday 6th April Posted: 06/04/2018 16:15
Good MorningWe finally get to see a bit of green turf, and no doubt some sticky mud, and some Hurdles today at Fontwell. There is not much quality;nor indeed quantity on the Card, but with the BHA (to give them credit where it is due) arranging some ... [Read More]
Mention Race Ffos Llas 4.35 Posted: 01/04/2018 16:35
Ffos Llas 4.35 7 Shotgun Paddy @ 6/1 / 8 Misty Mai @ 10/1 - small each way stake to your "mention level" - SkyBet odds to 4th.There are 2 ways to look at this race really, with a form eye and analysis or with a pin, I think anyone who puts up anykind... [Read More]
Huntingdon 5.45 Posted: 28/04/2017 17:45
Huntingdon 5.45 1 Laugharne @ 12/1 / 8 Buckontupence @ 20/1 - both each wayLaugharne is one of the few in this race with proven form at the trip on Good to Firm ground;he carries notional top weight, but with a 7lbs Claim will actually carry less wei... [Read More]
Epsom 3.50 Posted: 26/04/2017 15:50
Epsom 3.50 5 Innocent Touch - each way @ 9/1 (WH/B365)"I always look at Course form at Epsom as it is such a unique track. That's not to say a newcomercan't win here but you never know how a horse will handle the steep inclines and undulations until ... [Read More]
Hexham 2.25 Posted: 25/04/2017 14:25
Placespotter - Hexham 2.25 10 Miss Conway - each way @ 8/1 (PP)"Miss Conway won over Course and Distance last June off a markof 78 and has run well since but slightly in the grasp of the handicapper. The Trainerhas had a few winners in recent fortnig... [Read More]
Ayr 2.40 Posted: 21/04/2017 14:40
Placespotter - Ayr 2.40 2 Prarie Town - each way @ 8/1 (WH/B365/PP)Ayr 2.40, I'd like to take on the Skelton trained favourite, he couldbe anything and may win this with ease but he seems a bit quirky and there are strong form reasons to believe that... [Read More]
Cheltenham 3.50 Posted: 19/04/2017 15:40
Placespotter - Cheltenham 3.50 9 Azure Fly - (1 point each way @ 8/1 WH/B365/Sky)PLACESPOTTER - " The Going puts me off Spookeydookey who may be one to watcheven yet this summer if it rains a bit more. Plenty have chances but all of t... [Read More]
Haydock 2.40 Posted: 15/04/2017 14:40
"the more I looked at this race the ore the 2 selections looked reallysolid each way options, despite being double figure prices. FINGERONTHESWITCH in particularhas good form here, over the Hurdles and the style of fences suits, looks to be on ... [Read More]
Kelso 2.10 Posted: 10/04/2017 14:10
Placespotter - Kelso 2.10 5 Landecker @ 7/1 + 3 Lough Derg Jewel @ 12/1 (BV/SkyBet)Placespotter -: A good test over 2 miles and 7 furlongs on Good ground and a few were very seriously considered, Maggie Blue and Maraweh have good form claims but comi... [Read More]
Placespotter -: Huntingdon 4.20 5 Giveitachance - each way @ 6/1 (Paddy Power) / Placespotter -: Ludlow 5.30 8 River Of Intrigue - each way @ 6/1 (Generally) Posted: 03/04/2017 17:30
Placespotter -: I've been waiting a long time for GIVEITACHANCE to have some decentground, it has won twice over Course and Distance and Huntingdon is a bit of a specialiststrack, those wins off 95 and 100, look good in the context of a mark of 95 to... [Read More]
Placespotter - Doncaster 2.25 4 Another Touch - each way @ 14/1 - (Sky - odds to 6th / others to 4th) Posted: 01/04/2017 14:35
ANOTHER TOUCH ticks every box for me. Fahey farms any straight track handicap at Doncaster;his string are usually primed and ready to run, the horse has every draw option from the middledrawn in 11, Paul Hanaghan rides for his old boss and the T... [Read More]
All Results recorded to SP - Starting Price unless otherwise state Results recorded to £10 each way / £20 win - as advised prior to 31/12/17 From 1/1/18 Results recorded to advised unit on basis of 1 point = £10.00