THE old saying that if you’re not big enough to lose, you’re not big enough to win can be applied to a number of scenarios in racing, but probably none more so than the dynamic between punters and bookmakers.

The battle between the pair tends to be a tug of war, with good days and bad days in store for both parties. Crucially, though, the relationship relies on the mutual understanding that when any bet is struck, at least one of them is prepared to lose. That’s how it should be, at least.