Tote’s rule change out of place
The Tote’s rule change leaves a lot to be desired
The Tote has been pushing its Superpools at Ascot, as it comingles bets with international pool operators during the Royal meeting.
What has not been pushed quite so forcefully is a change in place pay-outs as a result of the Superpool, and it’s left some punters a bit miffed.
Whilst the Tote will now pay out on third place in seven-runner fields that, for the duration of Royal Ascot, means its three places as well for handicaps, not four.
And the change applies to the Placepot and the Quadpot.
It is a rule change which also crept up on bookmakers taking Tote bets, with communication carried out only hours before racing got underway on Royal Ascot’s first day.
Whether bookies liked it or not, they had to apply the Tote’s new rule, possibly thankful they didn’t have to explain the change to shop customers who no doubt would have gone to the pay-out window expecting to collect.
After Royal Ascot’s first two days, there had been one seven-runner race where third place paid out, and six 16+ runner handicaps which no longer carried fourth place pay-outs.
The Superpools may well have created bigger pots, but the rule change, including its late introduction, has left many unimpressed.
The Tote say it’s only for Royal Ascot – hopefully that’s an end to it.
