Racing Post Rating

[robnorth]

Barry

I presume ratings from the Weekender are changed because the weights rise in some handicaps.

Rob

[TheBluesBrother]

I got a reply from the Racing Post.

[code:1mizkmam]The ratings are revised as they evolve. By definition, many races have little evidence to work with during the early stages. In addition, sometimes deadlines force us to place provisional ratings on the database before we can comprehensively assess each individual race in the sort of detail we would like to.

We feel that any adjustments in the ratings can only be helpful as they give a clearer picture and account for any new form lines as the two year olds’ careers develop.

Kind regards,
Will Pepper
Racing Post Customer Services[/code:1mizkmam]

So in a nutshell if the guys resposible for the ratings haven’t got around to working them out…THEY ARE MADE UP (another meaning for provisional)
This would explain why the Racing Post Ratings are bottom of the nap table and they expect people to pay for this…

[robnorth]

TBB

The Official Handicapper works on a similar basis for early nursery handicaps. He allots a rating for horses which are entered. It’s done on that same basis quoted by the RP in that it takes account of rapidly developing formlines in a group of animals that are still growing and developing.

You can say about all ratings that THEY ARE MADE UP (your capitals). All handicap figures are made up. A rating is merely an opinion of a horse’s ability based on the form information available to a compiler and different compliers will come up with different interpretations of the same data. That goes for the Racing Post, the BHA Handicapper or a racing follower compiling his own handicap.

Ultimately you have a choice. If you wish to pay for the product you can, but you don’t have to. Use a different source or compile your own figures but ultimately it’s just a different angle on the same base data.

Rob

[TheBluesBrother]

Robnorth thanks for the advice, I have been compilling my own handicap ratings for a while now (see Systems page under Private Handicapping).

[dave jay]

It simply re-inforces the fact that you need your own ratings to allow you to make a proper decision about a horses past performance.

These types of ratings that adjust are based on ability and collateral formlines which I personally don’t think are worth the paper they are written on.

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