Selecting horses for betting in horse racing involves a combination of analyzing various factors to make an informed decision. Horse racing, like all sports, is far from an exact science, so it always pays to have some tricks up your sleeve when it comes to picking the runner you think can cross the line in front.
Here's a general approach to formulating your horse racing betting selection.
Studying The Race Card
Studying the race card is always the first port of call for those wishing to place a bet on racing. A race card will provide all of the information you need to sort the 'sure things' from the 'also rans'. Understanding the details of the race, including the distance, race type, class, and the conditions of the track, are just some of the nuggets of information you can find on the card.
Horse Form
Whether you are betting on the track or placing a bet online, the recent performances of each horse are probably the most important details to consider. Is the horse lining up after a win last time, or has it constantly been finishing way down the field?It usually pays to focus on horses that have been consistently performing well in their previous races, although there is always a chance that a runner can bounce back to form out of the blue at a big price.
Jockey and Trainer
The trainer and jockey are the key people when it comes to any horse competing and some have been far more successful in their careers than others. Trainer Aidan O'Brien and jockey Ryan Moore are two of the most successful people in Britain and Ireland, and their horses, more often than not, will be competing at the business end of a race.
Track Conditions
The condition of the track, whether it be soft, rough, or firm, can greatly influence a horse's performance. Most horses have a favored surface to race on, with horses that have more stamina than speed being better on soft ground, whilst speedier runners will be better on a firmer surface. Some horses that run better at certain tracks than others.
Class Of The Race And Its Distance
Taking on horses of the same caliber will always give them a much better chance of winning a certain race. Handicap races are designed to pit horses of the same ability against each other, ideally giving each runner the same chance of winning.
Horses are allocated a handicap rating in the career and this will rise and fall depending on the performance of an individual horse. The higher a horse's rating, the better class of race it will run in.
Check if the horse has previously performed well at the race's distance. Some horses possess a greater speed than others, whilst some are more inclined to use their stamina reserves over longer distances. Flat races can be as short as five furlongs, whilst jump races like Britain's Aintree Grand National can be run over a distance of four miles!
Remember that even with thorough research, horse racing involves an element of luck, and there are no guarantees. It's essential to only pick the horses you think will win at any meeting and only bet what you can afford to lose. Additionally, consider keeping track of your bets and analyzing their outcomes to improve your strategy over time.
