A
horse race is not the most thrilling of sporting contests to watch,
but that all changes if you have money riding on one of the runners.
It is suddenly transformed into a giddy, exhilarating, nail-biting
couple of minutes where you could be forgiven for growing
increasingly animated. Having a flutter on the gee-gees is becoming
an increasingly popular pastime, but for newcomers it can be a
complex and potentially alienating world to move into, what with the
jargon that flies around and the detailed
form guides.
As a result, many newbies simply back the favourite or choose a horse
they like the name of or whose number they find lucky. But there is
more of an art to it than that and some punters make a living from
understanding the finer nuances of the industry. You do not need to
become a professional to have fun and make a bit of cash, but there
are some things you should consider before placing a bet.
Key
Considerations
There
are several factors you need to consider before placing a wager on a
race: the course, the ground, the distance, the weight, the class,
the jockey and the trainer. The track the race is taking place on has
a huge impact, as every course has different characteristics and
horses have favourite courses. The
ground is key
because some horses respond well to firm, dry ground whereas others
perform well in the sloppy mud that follows heavy rain. The distance
is a crucial consideration because some horses excel over short
distances like five or six furlongs, while others are better over
long-distance races, like a mile and four furlongs and above.
Sometimes stall numbers can play a part, because the horses coming
out of the low numbers will have a shorter distance to run and those
in the outside stalls will have to travel further around the bend.
Trainers place horses in various classes depending on their ability.
The highest is Class 1 and the lowest is Class 7, and the quality
varies accordingly, as do the prize purses. Many races are handicaps,
which means most horses have to carry additional weight to even the
playing field. The weight of a horse can greatly impact upon its
ability to win. Jockeys also have a preference for certain courses,
while some trainers specialise in getting their horses ready for
specific races, and it is worth paying heed to all these
considerations.
The
Form
Once
you have armed yourself with all the information listed above, you
then need to see how well each of the runners fits into the picture.
If the horse has won on that track, or the trainer or jockey has
enjoyed great success there, that is a good sign. However, you need
to be careful: if all the horse’s wins have come when the going is
firm but the going is soft that day then you might want to avoid it.
Likewise, if it is a big step up or step down in distance compared to
what the horse usually runs that might set alarm bells ringing. A
step up in class is also something to consider: the horse may have
secured several wins in low-profile races, but if it is thrust into a
prestigious Group 1 or Group 2 race it will have far sterner
competition to deal with. If a horse is making a step down in class,
that is also a consideration as it may have a better chance of
winning, but the odds might be less attractive. It is advisable to
examine how well each horse in the contest has fared in previous
races of a similar calibre and distance, when the going has been
similar, and compare them against one another, before making your
selection, while also bearing in mind any additional weight they may
be carrying and the how well the trainer and jockey have been
performing.
General
Tips
Favourites
only win 30% of the time, so it often pays to oppose the horse with
the shortest price and go against the general betting public.
When
you turn to https://www.sunbets.co.uk/ and
look for who to bet on, there are several indicators that a horse
will perform well in an upcoming race that you should keep in mind.
For example, if it has finished in the top three at the same
approximate distance (within a furlong) in its last three races,
providing the surface and going was similar, give it a tick. If the
horse has finished in the top three in each of its last three races
at a similar class that is a reason to shortlist it. If it raced at a
higher class in the past month or two and is dropping down, that is a
reason to consider it. If the horse has won 20% or more of its last
five starts, or if its jockey or trainer has won 20% of their races
that year, give it a tick. If it has posted a resounding win in the
past six weeks, give it another tick. If the horse lost in the past
six weeks but had a valid excuse – such as being impeded – it is
worth considering as it may well fare better and get you a decent
price. If the horse had a long layoff and lost on its return, you can
consider it as it will be likely to improve this time around. The
more of these factors you can tick off, the better, so the horse with
the most ticks next to its name could be your selection, providing
the odds are not too low and it is not too heavily backed.
Ultimately, make sure you enjoy it and do not wager more than you can
afford, and you can grow a great appreciation for this exciting and
engaging sport.
Author
bio
Martin
Green is an experienced horseracing correspondent and tipster.
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