Ladbrokes’ Hayley O’Connor on how she expects her poor run to end this weekend

Hayley tells us how runs of bad form are par for the course and how she expects an upturn in fortunes.

So for the first time in a year and a half, I had to credit my betting account the other day and frankly, it felt disgusting. Very simply, I am on the worst run I’ve ever had. Ever. So be mindful of that when reading my “picks” for this weekend. You see, up until recently I would have labelled myself as quite a good punter and despite my stakes being low, I’ve enjoyed many a spending spree courtesy of the GGs, but my recent form has left me doubting myself. Most professional punters will tell you that bad runs are par for the course and that if you have a profitable system, you just have to stick to it even during temporary periods of backing losers. But I’m not sure and all this tearing up of dockets has my confidence knocked, with Albert Einstein's theory that “Insanity is doing the same thing, expecting something different” looming in my mind. However, luck is a transient thing and as Nicky Henderson’s yard proved last weekend, there’s nay a long road without a turn, as he went from having an underwhelming start to the season to landing the big race double. Today's highlight should really be the Tingle Creek and he is represented by multiple Grade One performer Captain Conan who’s three from three at the track.  This was the race I was most looking forward to at the start of last season, with Sprinter Sacre and Sanctuaire sprouting wings over the fences at lightning speed. Sadly, the defending champion is unable to run today but a horse who competed quite honourably against him in defeat last season is Somersby. The highest officially rated Sire De Grugy is touted as the one to beat in the race and heads the betting but Somersby could prove hard to conquer if he brings his best to the competition. Now, for fun, there's a massive outsider at 80/1 that I think is worth a very small flutter each way and that's Mad Moose who put in a career best when chasing home Sprinter Sacre in Cheltenham in January. He's a bit of a head-the-ball but when the mood takes him, he's decent enough, the problem being - it often doesn't and he's refused to race on a couple of occasions. On these shores, the headliner is the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown on Sunday and even though less than a handful are turning up to contend, the four runners have a lot of quality; Gold Cup runner-up Sir Des Champs owned by Michael O'Leary; Ryanair Novice Chase winner Arvika Ligionnaire and former winners of the race Rubi Light and the famous Flemenstar. I think I'm with the latter although his jumping first time out for his new trainer at Navan was a bit hair 'em scare 'em to say the least and I'm making the assumption that he's found he's feet since. His price looks enormous to me although there's been heavy opposition to him in the market from Willie Mullins' charge, but in my mind he's the best horse in the race and if on song, will fly home. In the meantime, I'm going to dust myself off, keep my chin up and look forward to returning to winning ways. Sooner rather than later I hope...