Image you are a car mechanic. After a number of years, you turn up for work and find that you tools have been removed and you’re told that you need to rebuild your tools from scratch using a different set and from a different manufacturer.The equivalent has happen to me.

A few days ago I received a letter from Superform who provide an excellent professional electronic formbook service. After 31 years in business they have decided to terminate their service from early May.

For £11/month their handicappers produced ratings for every UK horse race (flat/national hunt) and their service was reliable, fast, easy and more importantly cheap.

Using their data enabled me to determine which horses were “well in” at the weights and review the recent and previous form of each horse to determine likes and dislikes easily in the context of the race. An excellant, well run and professional service!

This for me is an absolute disaster as I have been using their service for the last four years to evolve my handicapping methods and historical database for exampe, pace bias for each of the all weather tracks.

My overall losses so far were in no way due to their service, it was my interpretation of the data that was at fault, however now Superform has ceased their ratings service I am left wondering what are my next steps?

The alternative solutions to Superform (Timeform, Raceform etc) in my view are inferior and more importantly expensive. Whatever the choice, I would need to go through a lengthy period of evaluation to understand the nuances of their data and at £40+ per month I may not be able to justify the added expense at this stage of my developement.

So what now for Slipperytoad?Well after much consideration, deliberation and soul searching I have taken the demise of Superform as an opportunity to start again, because frankly I have no other choice bar giving up.

First on the rebirth list is to revamp the website. It has served me well for the last four years but frankly needs a good lick of paint and I need to move away from the Blogger platform software as it is becoming restrictive.

If you are reading these comments and have suggestions for the new web site, I would welcome any comments and criticisms.

In terms of handicapping, investing methods and process, I have one of two ideas.

As fate would have it I am attending one of Betfair’s free education events this Wednesday. They apparently provide everything including a light buffet, free bar and funded demo accounts for me to practice trading. It will give me a chance to mix with the other mugs.

From the end spring new beginnings.
Pliny the Elder
Roman scholar; scientist (23 AD - 79 AD)

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