After two decades of making a living from betting on horse racing, I finally stepped out of the shadows in 2023. Since then, I’ve written two books, become a Racing Post columnist, appeared on television and kept the punting going too. Who said anything about slowing down?

My speciality has always been the ante-post markets for the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National. The problem has never been finding the value; it’s been finding bookmakers willing to take my bets.

My background as a mathematics graduate, actuary and spread-betting consultant gave me the analytical tools to make a living from punting. But numbers only get you so far. The real trick is turning that information into a price — and having the confidence to get stuck in when the odds are in your favour.

Known to bookmakers as “Cheltenham Man” for my activity in the Festival markets, I’ve also found plenty of success in my favourite betting race of the year, the Grand National. I shortlisted six horses in my Racing Post column for this year’s race. Three were unseated; the other three finished 1-2-3.

My first book, Cheltenham Man, told the story of how it all began and my early years as a pro punter. My second, Mares, Maggots & Rosé, picks up the story from there, covering the highs, lows and occasional absurdities of life as a professional punter.

I’m still studying the form, finding the value and now, rather excitingly, trying to buy a racehorse of my own.

So this website is where I’ll share the books, the betting, the racing and whatever else happens along the way.

Come along for the ride. It’s certainly been an interesting one so far.

Moray Smith