LAYTOWN! with AK BETS 10th September 2026

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It was great to be back at Laytown with AK Bets again this year. The team had grown since the sodden meeting last year which culminated in a group charity swim, something not on the agenda in 2026 been there done that, raised a monkey. AK’s recent pitch purchasing fling had increased his real estate here from five to seven, the funny thing is that the team had only ever worked four of them, incredibly AK forgot he owned the fifth one for two years in a row so it remained vacant. Do you think you can beat a firm that forget they own a prime pitch, open an account and get stuck in.

Stephen Murphy is new to the firm working as ‘On-Course Trading Manager’, he got the position after turning up at Punchestown on a wet Tuesday asking AK for a job. That’s the way to do it. Times have changed though, no greenhorn initiation involving flushing toilets or top shelf drinks for the new guy, just being taken out for a proper pricy steak and a couple of pints is the norm in 2026, very civilised. There was one black mark though, young Stephen wasn’t wearing the firm’s trademark shorts. Graham, AK and Tidler kept up the tradition though and got to work early.

The first race on the card was a claiming race worth €10,000 run over a distance of 6f. Land Of The Giants was the 3/1 jolly when betting opened though. The first decent bet of any note on the race was €500 each-way She’s Ideal at 10/1. Business was steady but no manic so the firm had chance to have chats with various visitors, Spinning Mick, Lee from Matchbook, Pat and Emma Middleton and others including Mike who reads my blog all of whom it was all nice to see. Also nice to see was a trade bet of £280 each-way with the fraction Spirit Of Eagles, proving there was money about. At the off there was just over €8000 including the place money in the combined hods. Goldrush Kid winning at 5/1 was a cracked result to kick off with, the book held on to €5500, AK said we could now have a starter tonight.

Next up with the Gilna’s Of Laytown Handicap worth €10,000 and also run over 6f. Meanwhile, UK bookie Spinning Mick too tight to purchase a hotel room so planning on throwing an all nighter in Dublin’s fair city before his flight was seen by the joint desperately trying not to open an account for AK’s professional punter mate Matt. Meanwhile the firm struck a bet of €5000 - €250 each-way Volendam and €7189 of other bets before the off. Before they did jump Ukiyo was withdrawn which resulted in a 5c rule 4. The race went to a photo where the gambled on 12/1 into 9/2 Verhoyen beat the early jolly Moyassr but a steward’s enquiry was called very soon after the result of the photo was called. AK wanted a result reversal but didn’t hold out much hope, but it went on a while but there was no alteration, the book lost €2300 mainly due to €20 and €30 bets at the top prices. 

Next up another handicap, this time worth €12,000 and once again over 6f. No More Porter was installed the 4/1 favourite and proved popular as betting got underway. Graham on the end pitch was asked for a tip by a punter, I don’t think ‘Never wear socks in bed’ was quite the advice he was hoping for though said he’d heed the advice. Meanwhile, Glenn who reads the blogs came to say hello, thanks reading the blogs everyone, if you don’t have an account with AK there’s links topping and tailing this and worth thinking about. New accounts would be handy after 14/1 chance Initial Blue won this race getting up on the line. You might think that would be a good result, think again, AK wanted to get it, the book held €10,350 but knocked out an additional €9485 over what would have been a result for most of the ring, nasty. The owner had travelled all the way from Arkansas so was a dream result for him, but our starter was now on shaky ground, or sand even. A highlight of this paragraph was chatting to Doc O’Connor who was kind enough to come over and say hello and that he likes the blogs, another one, my head’ll be growing at this rate.

Next up, The Pride Of Place Maiden worth €11,000 over 7f, well they were going to be but due to operational reasons the distance was slightly reduced for the remaining races. Meanwhile, I was collared by Franco Hughes who wanted me to point out the aways service he offers on course, he’s always got a crowd around the back of his joint that’s for sure. I also had a quick hello with the gent that is Ray Mulvaney and much missed past colleague of mine Sarah Kinsella working his pitch who it’s always lovely to see. I also recorded little video clips with AK’s team, look on his X account for them. Meanwhile Matt, wandering around with a pint in each hand for most of the afternoon was maybe unsurprisingly 0-8 betting at Laytown over the last couple of meetings, no more than eight pints when punting kids, maybe Spinning Mick might reconsider opening that account. Meanwhile, AK laid €400 each-way on Fan Club at 28/1, some bet to lay, it was to the trade but the bookie probably felt it prudent not to ask for the fractions at those odds. Hugo’s girl won the race at 11/4, the book win €1900 but was still nearly €4000 down on the evening with two races to go.

The penultimate was the O’Neills.com Handicap worth €10,000 where Response Finale opened the 7/2 jolly. Despite the leaden skies and the odd spot, the rain held off which was good news for the bookies trying to field as much as possible over the last two races and of course the punters who were enjoying the music and beer. Meanwhile a punter bet €5500 - €500 Brains which would surely wipe the evening out should it win, dessert might be on shaky ground too. Joe Beevers came to the joint, his nap of the day was Lohengrin, he made a good case for it, he’s a judge but I hoped he was wrong as his fancy was a bad loser in the AK book and you can’t cheer home the bogies. I spoke too soon about the rain, it started just as they were loading, though with €14,000 in the hods it was still all to play for precipitation or no. Well, what can I say, poor Joe Beevers’ nap was chinned in the last stride by 18/1 chance Chavajod copping €4859, dessert was back on.

The rain didn’t stop but didn’t amount to much at first, though probably prompted a few potential customers to head home or at least for cover. The drizzle didn’t stop Matchbook Ronan coming over to say hello along with Spinning Mick who looked a bit damp for
a man who was going to wander the streets all night. Spinning Mick mentioned he and his wife were going on holiday, AK said he’d not realised Mick had a spouse, ‘Yes I do’ replied Mick slightly indignantly, adding ‘An understanding one who’s not worked for 30 years, which makes her more understanding, though I’d not tell her that!’ Let’s hope she’s not a blog reader! Meanwhile, AK’s team laid €500 each way Hygge the biggest bet of the heat where they ultimately fielded £7941. Hygge won. Not the ideal end to the evening’s sport but it’s just part of a bigger picture. If you’ve not been to Laytown, come it’s a meeting like no other.

Simon Nott

AK Bets - NOW FREE OF PREVIOUS ACCOUNT OPENING RESTRICTIONS. Click for a top class bookmaking experience, no thrills, no gimmicks, just competitive prices and bets laid. CLICK HERE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT

Simon Nott

AK Bets - NOW FREE OF PREVIOUS ACCOUNT OPENING RESTRICTIONS. Click for a top class bookmaking experience, no thrills, no gimmicks, just competitive prices and bets laid. CLICK HERE TO OPEN AN ACCOUNT