Pro punter Q&A: 'Oppose horses going up in grade and back those coming down in class'

Over the next few weeks we will bring you a series of app-exclusive Q&As with pro punters, trainers and jockeys which will offer unrivalled insight to our sport. This series kicks off this week focused on pro punters. Today: David Gilbert.

What was your biggest ever win?

My biggest gambling wins are not racing ones but have come in the Masters, both via nerve-wracking play-offs, with Bubba Watson (first time) and Adam Scott.

What was your most painful ever defeat?

Scott also provided me with my most painful defeat when he contrived to lose the Open to Ernie Els whilst I was obliviously playing tennis on a French campsite, counting the expected winnings. The most painful racing defeat by a long way was Crisp in the 1971 Grand National. At the age of six, I'd had 10p on him and when he was collared by Red Rum I ran upstairs bawling my eyes out!

Which winner has given you the most satisfaction?

The win of Treadwell in the Buckingham Palace of 2010 was a cracker. I lumped on expecting him to shorten, as his chance seemed very bright, but all he did was drift, and all the way out to 14-1, so I had to press up. My favourite big win, though, was on Pigeon Island (2010 was a good year!) in the Grand Annual. That was a masterclass from Paddy Brennan on an inexperienced jumper.

How does your Flat betting differ from your jumps betting?

My approach to Flat and jumps racing doesn't differ much, although I prefer jump racing as a spectacle. As a basic rule, I seek to oppose horses going up in grade and back those coming down in class. Obviously the draw is a huge factor on the Flat, although it never ceases to amaze me how wide some jump jockeys line up their horses at the start. In both codes, I used to love ante-post betting, but these days the prices are prohibitive, and the inclusion of a fourth day at Cheltenham means the ordinary punter has no way of knowing what will run where.

What's the best bit of advice you've ever received?

I can't say I have ever received any advice on gambling but I stand by Steve Mellish's mantra of sticking to what you are good at. I have in the past been prone to seek the opinion of others but I find I get more frustrated if I back losers by that method than if I have made my own poor pick.

What's the greatest misconception most punters have about racing?

The constant (media) obsession with trainer form baffles me. What matters is whether a trainer is good or not, rather than what has happened to their horses in the recent past. The idea that a horse's chance is dramatically affected by the performance of its stablemates seems a misconception to me.

Which horse are you most looking forward to running again?

From a purist point of view, we all want to see Constitution Hill run again, I'm sure, but with my punting head on Martin Brassil's Fastorslow is my horse to follow this season after his short-head second in the Coral Cup. His pedigree is all about soft ground stamina and I can see him taking high rank in the staying novice chase division.

Read more pro punter Q&As:

Steve Lewis Hamilton: 'Discipline is an essential ingredient to being a winner' 

Mark Holder: 'The bookmakers messed up and priced him at 25-1 - I got on what I could'