Patrick Veitch's book

it might not seem it but clement freud book is ok in parts its very funny

must be some more anyone?

Dave Nevison - A Bloody Good Winner (not quite as good as Veitch's but an ok read, follow-up Nevison book not at same level)

Also just checked on Amazon about an older book i've got, and used copies still seem to be available very cheap, this is more about the old-school gamblers:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/High-Rollers-Turf-Raymond-Smith/dp/0951870416/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1362071091&sr=1-5

book that was the daddy of them all called ''always back winners'' by pro gambler simpson, cant remember first name, also liked alex birds autobio

andriy i enjoyed the dave nevo book even though i suspected a little embroidery of the truth...a certain midnight meet with gangsters to hand back a horse for example

He probably can't remember the first name either. His one season example had about two thirds of the bets winning at prices starting  at around 6/1 and many at much higher odds. And he called that an average year.

Stewart Simpson.....Always Back Winners...I still have a copy,a good read at the time,mostly about backing top weights,or close to top weights in handicaps on turning tracks.He believed in backing the better horses getting on before they were raised to listed or group class.

The problem nowadays with that,is all the international racing,has seen those type of horses being aimed at listed/group races abroad.

Sea Chimes was one of his handicap good things,who went on to win the eclipse I think,in late 1970's.

My $50,000 year at the racetrack    by Andrew Beyer

Smart Money by Michael Konik

Stewart Simpsons book was more about backing horses that could find acceleration off a pace and won by short margins so as their h'cap mark didn't raise too much, usually based on visual at the course experience. Most of his angles will still work today imo.
Actually think that his name was a pseudonym.

A cousin of mines husband who worked for hodder & stoughton at the time,was actually involved in the publishing of the book,but I can't recall if he was actually Stewart Simpson or not,I know he met him several times,and thought he was okay,but it was a long time ago now.

thanks all will see if I can get suggested copies

I'd suggest Fortune's Formula by William Poundstone and Gambling Wizards by Munchkin, the title is inspired by the market wizards series of books, which are also a great read though not really about gambling.

H'caps have changed now. There used to be an enormous difference in weights (ratings ) 10st to 7st 7lbs You could rule out half the field, certainly on decent ground

Hitting The Turf by David Ashforth is funny and nostalgic.

Describes the atmosphere which Betfair effectively killed, where you genuinely longed to spend the afternoon at the racetrack or in the betting shop. A lost world.

For me this has been a very dissapointing book. It centres around a rather laughable escapade with a local criminal who on a single visit to Veitch takes a chance on extracting 70k from him for nothing. Now we are expected to believe that on the basis of this Veitchs life is in danger and he needs to go into hiding. It so weak I actually wondered whether it was invented to spice up the book. The guy was clearly trying his luck and was not looking to kill anyone if the punt did not come off. The rest of the book is mainly a diary of his winnings and not a very realistic one either. This book will do more damage to you than Mr Hall would ever have done to Veitch ... dont bother.

The guy who was not looking to kill anyone is now serving 20 years for the attempted murder of a policeman so   I think Veitch was quite right to keep his head down. I do agree about the book though, if you want something similar try Anne Frank's Diary.

Veitch's book is terribly written and very self righteous. It's a very poor read - maybe the last 2 chapters are passable but if you haven't read it don't. Nothing to be gleaned from it.

Plenty in there i could have done without reading but disagree there's nothing to be gleaned from it....pretty much spells out his modus operandi

If you want advice rather than adventure,anything by Russell Clarke is worth reading.

The richard munchkin book mentioned earlier in the thread is well worth getting, konik's is entertaining too. Are you after a book to improve your punting or just one with some good tales in it?

just for entertainment purposes Minilow

The Coup by Ken (window) Payne

Read this over 35 years ago and I couldn't put it down

also Richard Wizard's "Gambling Munchkins" - a shocking account of the Football Forum

actually, I'd second what TI2 says about the two Market Wizards books. if you're willing to think a bit laterally/creatively there's loads of stuff in there you can apply to exchange betting/trading. author is jack schwager.

Hole in One Gang is very good.