In the late 1960s I fell in with a gang of 'Sloane Rangers' who, during the week, lived around Sloane square Chelsea and the at week ends thundered down to the M4 to join 'Mater and Pater' and the Gloucester horsey set. Soon, I realised I could some serious money from backing race horses. My next step was to join Weatherby's Secretaries to The Jockey Club. I assisted the Flat and National Hunt Pattern Race committees and was responsible for editing race conditions and the distribution of races across the UK. I was also a spokesman for the introduction of professional female jockeys under both rules. This was a solid bedrock on which to build The Adaptive System. I was unbelievably lucky to combine my passion with my occupation. The pay was peanuts and the only way I could financially survive was by backing horses. Eventually I decided to qualify and work as a Certified Accountant in industry. When the first version of The Adaptive System came out in 2007 it was accompanied by a website that offered tips based on the scoring system and accompanied by a brief rational for the selection. The Racing Post would not advertise my book until I proofed my results and then they did not accept the main then Cash Cow of The System, laying and then hedging by backing in running. Providing a tipping service is incredibly stressful providing winners seven days a week, week in, week out. I finally closed the site in 2010.
The market is now flooded with betting books all 'promising riches beyond your wildest dreams', but The Adaptive System (revised 2017) still sets the benchmark with its scoring system. Although I still work part time as a business consultant I am now able to spend at lot more time track-side.
