| We would all like the ultimate 'no effort' method | | | | - all weather surfaces like sand favour certain |
| to assess a horse race and pick our winning bet | | | | horses. |
| but for a system to work a degree of | | | | 4) The weight carried. A simple but overlooked |
| knowledge, skill and effort is required. The good | | | | factor. As the handicapper increases the weight |
| news is that this is a skill that can be learned if | | | | some horses are able to defy the penalty but |
| you follow my basic guidelines and with some | | | | ultimately a point is reached where the horse will |
| effort it really is possible to develop a consistent | | | | slow. |
| winning horse racing system. | | | | 5) The distance. Most horses have an ideal |
| There are literally hundreds of factors which we | | | | distance although all will have a range. Some are |
| can take into account when reviewing a horse | | | | born sprinters, others have the stamina for longer |
| race to decide the likely winner. Of course we | | | | distances. Study of form will tell you which |
| may only be looking for a horse to make a place, | | | | distanced the trainer has run the horse at and |
| not necessarily come first. Thanks to betting | | | | how it has performed. |
| exchanges like Betfair we may also decide to look | | | | 6) The class. You wouldn't race your family saloon |
| for horses likely to lose the race, that is to lay | | | | against a Formula One car and expect to win! This |
| them rather than back them. Ultimately a lay | | | | is an often overlooked element of a consistently |
| betting system can be very profitable if we apply | | | | winning horse racing system. Beginners will see a |
| discipline and a methodical approach. | | | | horse has come first or second in its last three |
| After years of experience and study I believe the | | | | races and overlook the fact that the race in |
| seven key factors for a consistently profitable | | | | question is a step up to higher quality competition. |
| racing system are - | | | | 7) The trainer and jockey. Just like the horse, the |
| 1) The horses form. Quite simply is it fit and well | | | | trainer and jockey have form to consider as |
| and how has it ran in it's most recent races. One | | | | another key element of a horse racing system. |
| second off a horse's best times is about 5 lengths | | | | Never underestimate the ability of a highly skilled |
| in a decent race! | | | | jockey to steer an average horse to the front at |
| 2) The going. If a horse has performed well | | | | the crucial moment. |
| recently be sure that the going for the race in | | | | I know some people may be overwhelmed by |
| question is similar. Heavy going makes for highly | | | | the above factors but believe me if you want to |
| unpredictable races. | | | | win and horse racing and win consistently you will |
| 3) The course. The saying 'horses for courses' | | | | need to consider these. There truly are profits to |
| isn't to be forgotten! Courses vary enormously | | | | be made in horse racing, whether you are |
| with some having tight bends, uphill approaches | | | | backing, laying, or considering more advanced |
| and other features which can make or break a | | | | betting strategies such as 'dutching' but without |
| horse's run. The track surface is also a key factor | | | | study and effort any success will be short term. |