Horse Racing Betting Tips
A guide to horse racing, including where to find betting tips, make solid predictions, types of bet and events to bet on
By James McMath
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on, and events like the Grand National are extremely popular and anticipated.
If you’re new to the world of horse racing, then hopefully this guide gives you the confidence you need to start making some bets on it. Whether you wish to remain a casual horse racing bettor or become a seasoned one, these tips will clear up any questions you have.
Let’s dive right in and figure out how to bet on this great sport.
How To Bet On Horse Racing
Horse racing is a much more complex sport than people think, and betting on requires a level of nuance. If betting on the sport seems daunting, then remember that the basic betting principles are the same as football or rugby.
Areas like research, data, and figures are going to be key to your overall success in horse racing betting. If all that sounds a little complicated, then don’t worry - it isn’t rocket science.
Choosing Your Horse
When it comes to choosing your horse, you can select the current odds or the starting price. The difference between the two is the punter will not know the starting price (SP) odds until the race has begun. If the punter’s bet is successful, then the SP odds will be the ones paid out.
Choosing the best possible horse for your bet requires looking at who the favourites are, who the experts are backing, and how the respective horses have fared in previous races.
You wouldn’t bet on a football team without researching the teams’ form beforehand, and horseracing should be no exception. An easy way to discover who the bookies are backing is to simply check the odds. The lower the odds for the horse, the more likely they are to win.
Keep in mind that, if betting on a jump race, then the best horses will have a handicap to make the playing field more even. The best horses often have to carry more weight, however, handicaps are not present in the top flat races.
Take your time when choosing your horse, as this is the most important factor in your bet. If you’re not immediately sure who to bet on, it’s well-worth taking some time and dedicating it to making sure you’ve chosen the best option you possibly can.
Another suggestion is to follow the advice of the best horse racing tipsters, who will offer guidance on where best to place your bets.
Choosing Your Betting Market
Horse racing betting markets are a lot more varied than you may think. Of course, there’s the standard single bet (also called an ‘on the nose bet’) which is what you’ll see most casual bettors choose, however, there are dozens of markets open to you.
Each-Way Betting
Each-way betting in horse racing allows you to make two separate bets on the same race. Just as you can do in football, you can bet on a horse to win outright, as well as betting it to finish within any of the positions you’ve selected.
Each-way betting is another betting market that is great for new bettors as it’s approachable, easy to understand, and carries a relatively low amount of risk.
Doubles And Accumulators
Doubles betting involves choosing two selections for two different races. Should your doubles bet be successful, then the odds will be double for the two horses you’ve chosen. Winnings can be high, but risk is prevalent.
Forecast
Forecast bets aren’t as common as singles, each-way, or double bets, but they can be effective if you know what you’re doing.
Forecast bets involve selecting two horses, and deciding where they’ll finish in the race.
There are several betting markets available in the world of horse racing, but be sure to stick to ones that best reflect your knowledge and experience level. If a market seems a little too complicated for you, then you can always opt for the simpler markets like the single or each-way bets.
Horse Racing Events To Bet On
Horse racing is a popular sport in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, however, there are major events happening all over the world.
If you want to dip your toes into horse racing betting, then here are the best events to bet on.
The Grand National
Considered by many to be the most prestigious and famous jump race in the world, the Grand National was first hosted back in 1839. It is the most valuable jump race in Europe, with a prize fund of £1 million.
You can watch the Grand National on BBC. It’s hosted in April, and attracts horse racing fans from all over the world.
Finding the best horse to bet on in the Grand National is an annual challenge enjoyed by racing fans and casual punters across the nation.
Cheltenham Festival
Perhaps the second most well-known event of the UK horse racing calendar is the Cheltenham Festival. The four-day event takes place every march and coincides with St Patrick's Day. It features high-quality races, including the Champion Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Kentucky Derby
The legendary Kentucky Derby event takes place in May, and was first hosted in 1875. Though the race itself is only 2 km long, it is dubbed the ‘Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports’ for a reason.
Melbourne Cup
The Melbourne Cup is one of the biggest horse racing events outside Europe. The event occurs every November, and the race itself takes place on the huge, 3,200-meter track.
The massive prize fund attracts the world’s best jockeys, and the event is known in Australia as the ‘Race That Stops The Nation’.
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is, compared to some of the other races, still a new competition - first being hosted in 1996.
The Dubai World Cup has massively increased in terms of profile and popularity, and is now one of the most anticipated horse racing events anywhere.
Of course, if you’re figuring out which event to bet on, it’s best to stick to the most famous events, as you’ll find the most information and tips on these. Betting on a more obscure horse racing event is possible, however, keep in mind that finding information, statistics, and data on these may be harder.
In-Play Racing Betting
As well as ante-post betting and pre-race betting, in-play horse racing betting is increasingly popular. Just like any in-play betting, odds shift in real-time as events unfold. This is particularly true for in-play horse racing betting odds, as prices can shift rapidly as runners change position in the field, improve, fade or fall.
Horse Racing Betting Summary
Betting on horse racing doesn’t have to be complicated. All it takes to get started is an understanding of which horse to choose, as well as which betting markets you’re going to use, and the event you’re going to be betting on. Horse racing information tips are widely available via tipsters, but remember not all sources will be reliable and there is no such thing as a sure horse racing tip.
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on for a reason. It’s exciting, social, and will give you invaluable betting experience that will stand you in good stead in the future.
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