BOOK REVIEWS

Some bedtime reading to help you dream up winners

JUMPERS TO FOLLOW 2017-18 By Paul Ferguson

£10.95 from www.bettrendsshop.co.uk IF you’re too busy to read this review, thoughts on Paul Ferguson’s book can be summed up in two words – buy it!

Paul has been with Racing Ahead since Day One so readers won’t need telling that a massive amount of research has gone into the 11th edition of his annual. Anyone familiar with the also excellent Mark Howard books will be right at home with the format.

First comes the top prospects for the season ahead. Each horse has a page of its own with Paul’s thoughts on their prospects, along with an indication of best going and distance preferences.

There are 40 horses there but the book delves much deeper trying to find stars before they become stellar.

Under The Hammer looks at key purchases from the sales and there is plenty of analysis of horses at the start of their careers elsewhere.

It’s not all on Paul’s judgement because Harry Skelton, Nick Scholfield and Jamie Codd also weigh in with runners to watch in the coming months. Those regulars are boosted by the thoughts of Jeremiah McGrath and Noel Fehily.

This is where Paul’s hard work and contacts come into play. Many ‘horses to follow’ guides are put together without speaking to many trainers and jockeys. That is clearly not the case here.

Around The Yards is another useful feature where the author looks at more than 50 trainers and picks a good prospect or two from their stable.

The production is clear and classy with the price of £10.95 more than reasonable for the amount of information on offer.

So there’s something for everyone in a book that has become an essential part of winter for anyone who loves their jumping.

STICK OR TWIST By Keith Sobey

From £10.95 at www.amazon.co.uk Betting on horse racing features plenty of ups and downs and Keith Sobey has had plenty of both.

His autobiography has two areas of interest for racing fans. First, the author discusses his methods for picking out horseracing selections. Many books have been published with less material than this section alone.

Second, the book features the story of how he built the Centaur Group which managed betting funds on behalf of clients among other things. The story of that company’s rise and fall is another interesting tale.

There are plenty of thrills and spills along the way and there are lessons to be learned for the business world as well as the racing world.

You don’t come across books like this very often and it’s well worth a read.

To order, call 07960 849472, or visit www.stickortwistbook.com