Get to know Sporting Life racing tipster Matt Brocklebank, the Value Bet columnist who has been firing in the winners so far in 2022.
Twitter: @MattBrocklebank
Bio: Matt cut his teeth at the Press Association before moving to Sporting Life in the summer of 2013, initially enjoying great success with his Antepost Angle column before taking over Value Bet in the summer of 2020. Antepost Angle famously unearthed back-to-back winners of the Ladbrokes Trophy in Sizing Tennessee and De Rasher Counter, both advised at 33/1 and sent off at 12/1.
Best betting advice: It's a punting line about as old as time but believing your eyes over your ears still stands true and I'd probably put that above anything. With that in mind, I tend to try and watch races back with the commentary on mute which helps keep focus sharp. When it comes to Value Bet, swimming against the tide is never going to be easy but if the belief is real it should pay off in the end provided you're willing the put the legwork in.
Favourite races to bet on: I grew up betting on the Cumbrian jumps tracks at Cartmel and Carlisle but do tend to favour turf Flat handicaps these days. Chester and Goodwood can be seriously frustrating courses but they also probably present some of the best opportunities as so few horses really show their true form around such idiosyncratic tracks. There's still an edge in finding the right horse for the right track.
Favourite horse: Many Clouds. And Brave Inca. I can have two, right? What a pair of warriors.
Memorable winner: I was always going remember my first winner after taking over the Value Bet reins from long-time colleague and close friend Ben Linfoot – the fact Progressive Rating drifted to 40/1 and won in the driving rain on Newmarket's July Course made it all the more dramatic for me, personally, and it's a day I won't forget for a long time.
Recent success: Matt has enjoyed a strong start to 2022, tipping 20/1, 10/1 and 7/1 winners in his Value Bet column in recent weeks, while his Antepost previews continue to unearth the early value. 20/1 Antepost Value Bet selection Sonnyboyliston winning the Sky Bet Ebor last summer was one of the highlights of the Flat season, before 66/1 tip Sealiway landed the Champion Stakes at Ascot in the autumn.
More from Sporting Life
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
