Which trainers do you avoid backing?

Skelton -Olly Murphy.Occasionally I will place lay an odds on Olly Murphy trained horse.

Tony Martin. I'm never sure if he's trying a race or the next one.

charlie johnston and eastery's lots of runners, lots of losers, although johnston i suppose does win more in bursts than the loathable easterby's.

i think most trainers are capable on their day, so best to look at each instance separately.

i find certain trainers are just better at certain races, look at JOHN BERRY, sure it might be what he contests for the most part, but he has always stood out as a small time long distance flat trainer, as seen yesterday, but also over 5 years ago, always seems to have a female jockey on too.

personally don't like the skelton's too day to day, ever since backing Snipe when he gave the field 20 lengths and lost by a head - don't mind if there is data to analyse in hcaps but newcomers and what not - rather avoid altogether unless unavoidable regardless of how the yard is going.

paul nicholls based on this season, absolutely gash.

too many trainers as has always been the case giving horses a public schooling - unlike the likes of sam thomas who like usual, smashed it in the last month or so.

i've had plenty of nice priced succes with FAHEY but his strike rate last 12 months has been absolutely shocking. i think trainers have hot periods, i mean scott dixon southell legend is only operating around 6%.. but always worth a sniff.

but yes - i dont think it's wise to write off a trainer on name, rather dig into form and all the other variables we use.

Good post mygutsyours.I think Tim is better than Mick Easterby but just my opinion.I would rather let them win rather than chance my arm at backing,Yes trainers  are all good when they want to be and have the winning streak.I used to back Sue Smith a few years back and could not buy a winner and look at the stable this season.

Guessing on any runner from the Northern Mafia is dangerous to your wealth

All Northern Trainer goes without saying ffs.

And Welsh Trainers.

Nov 19, 2025 -- 9:48PM, paul1965 wrote:

Good post mygutsyours.I think Tim is better than Mick Easterby but just my opinion.I would rather let them win rather than chance my arm at backing,Yes trainers

Can’t ever back a Fahey horse.

Easterbys are a great shout.

Don't like Fahey for similar reasons to Tim Easterby, throws a lot of mud and only a certain amount sticks. Goldie another trainer with multiple runners that I prefer to swerve. Dods might be similar for others, but he's one I've found easier to get right, personally.

Haggas is a trappy one for me. Don't like his short-priced runners, Varian neither. Hugo Palmer another I'd prefer to avoid.

Jumps? The Russell/Scudamore yard, for one. Not a bad operation, but just something about them that puts me off, perhaps having more than one runner in many races (The aforementioned Fahey, Easterby and Goldie others in a similar vein)

Not saying any of the above are bad trainers, more that I wouldn't feel confident backing any of their runners.

Think Sue Smith tends to train insane amount of winners in small spurts and then have long cold spells. I'd put Philip Kirby in that category and Venetia too (though her winning runs can last a bit longer)

My top  five of never bet their horses would be Evan Williams, Gary Moore, Lucinda Russell, Neil Mullholland and Charlie Hills...

If this would be 'what trainer could you trust totally' in backing a selection, then I think the answer would be a big fat: 0

But, I suppose you mean those you could never trust to win a race with their entry - I'd not say there is any trainer that gives me that feeling, as even the most dodgy ones will put up the occasional runner I'd be interested in, prob because I thought they were interested in winning at those times too.

Evan Williams if backed late!

Philip Kirby 100% When the money is down!

When is Venetia Williams going to get her horses 100 % fit?  Charlie Deutsch from the front in soft ground was a money spinner years ago for me!

Skelton and Snowden when the yard is firing decent strike rate trainers.

Emma Lavelle Seems to me over the years just sends her horses out for a run about and for Fun! Avoid


Kerry Lee back in the day was worth following when in form.


Fergal O'Brien Seems a straight trainer to Me, whether they get backed or drift doesn't matter.


Alan King Wouldn't want to get involved in a short one of theirs. Usually held up for a run, perhaps that's the flat coming into play. Avoid!



Charlie Longsdon Only when backed! Otherwise avoid

Joe Tizzard Feels like a straight yard to me, horses always trying to me, needs time to get them firing.

Jonjo O'Neil , too many disappointing well backed horses for me. Perhaps he just doesn't have the ammunition these days.
On the other hand,
It seems Skelton can get a clothes horse to win recently.
Varian, Haggas ,  C Appleby and Gosden still the best for me on the flat. But then they buy expensive  horses.

I do not pay much attention to trainers these days but one golden rule in olden times was to oppose Mary Reveley when she ventured south of Yorkshire. Channel 4 never failed to remind us that she drove the horsebox herself, and I could only imagine she had a lead foot and her horses were too shaken up on the journey.

A bit like West Ham away but that was explained by one of the senior players cleaning out the younger lads at poker on the team coach.

Have not backed a runner from Jonjo's stable in decades.

Evan Williams a shocking omission on my part! Probably in the top one of trainers I avoid!

Christian Williams
Ruth Carr
Roger Fell
Paul Midgley
Jamie Osbourne
Gary Moore
Nicky Henderson

Cautious with all of these for one reason or another, but no one I avoid entirely.

Nike.I dont like their style. Adidas are ok but always buy half a size bigger.

Nov 20, 2025 -- 10:54AM, TameTheTiger wrote:

Nike.I dont like their style. Adidas are ok but always buy half a size bigger.

Your right about Adidas but I always buy one size bigger.

When we were kids if you had a pair of adidas you were special, cool or had better off parents.  I still remember the first time I bought my own.
We called them ahdeedaahs.  Some call them ahdaydaz, disappointingly. 

as an 18yo i had some brown suede adidas trainers that i teamed up with a pair of brown corduroy jeans. what was i thinking ?

Prefer Ellese to any but it seems like  sketchers are the in thing now.Some decent comments of trainers and it is always peoples different view points.

I remember the old man looking me up and down, never uttering a word, as I stood at the door ready to go out.  Disdain is possibly the word, disgust is closer I think.  I often wonder if he thought his boy was a harry hoofter.    Like you I KNEW I was cool as cool could be.  Different world then.

What about courses? Are there any you don't like having a bet at?
Goodwood and Kelso are my least favourites.

Nov 20, 2025 -- 11:10AM, LoyalHoncho wrote:

When we were kids if you had a pair of adidas you were special, cool or had better off parents.

Why the f^ck does the reply sometimes disappear, when quoting posts?

Anyway, there is only one way to pronounce Adidas - Addi Dass - because the company was founded by a German, Adi Dassler.

And on the main question, the Moores. Wouldn't back one of theirs with stolen money.

If I had been Adi's brother, after the falling out I would have called my new company Rudass instead of Puma.

Ayr.  Can’t ever bet there.  I think the last time I fancied one there and bet it Roman Warrior won the Gold Cup. 

hannon & johnstones have been predictable stables for years imo

whether its trainers, jockeys, courses etc you can't play them all the same way

Courses, no bets for me at Newcastle AWS and Southwell AWS  #allweather****

Hannon and Johnston are a punters nightmare, loads of runners but all very hit and miss

Nov 20, 2025 -- 1:55PM, bellico wrote:

Hannon and Johnston are a punters nightmare, loads of runners but all very hit and miss

there are buttons on the right hand side

lol.

several trainers know that very well indeed wonders, often odd punters sometimes seem not to...

You say that but what price are you laying them at?

I actually don't mind backing Hannon in maidens as somemtimes they go off inexplicably big

But a shortie thats nearly won fto I will usually oppose next time. Dont know the stats but I doubt they are a winner

Harry Fry every time for me. Lots of short priced favs but not many winners. Lay. I also avoid Henderson as he is over backed but I don't lay them apart from Jonbon. On the Flat I agree with Hannon.

If Kerry Lee has one in the race I leave the race alone.

ANYBODY in the North of England. O'Neill. Moore. In Ireland byrnes Martin cromwell emmet mullins. All for obvious reasons.