I have followed all the things that you mentioned Turnip and indeed the methodology inevitably leads an average punter to empty pockets (and beerless weekends)...

Radio and TV pundits are no better or worse than the info I have received here or the many other racing sites and it amazes me when so called experts wax eloquently about a horse on TV...giving out incredible detailed information... total belief in what they are saying...never got an apology from anyone when the donkey runs up last the **************s (Ha Ha)...and there have definitely been days where these overpaid pundits do not come close to the accuracy to a lot of Williams and XPT's ratings...

Yes, a financial plan or a betting strategy that fits in comfortably with your personal $$$ situation is impt but my observation has been (and I need to look into this further when I get the time) is that your personal waging/betting system must extract the most out of the information that you attain (from a ratings system, mates' tips or whatever)...discipline and sticking to your strategy is the key (unfortunately, I am your average punter that can't resist the pub gossip LOLOLOL! lots of beerless weekends in the past but there have been some recent windfalls..tahnks to William, XPT et al on this site)...Good luck and Good punting!