What Kind Of Races Do You Like To Bet On?

[Cav]

There’s plenty of attention being focused on field sizes at the moment, particularly on the impact they have on the appeal of Racing as a betting product.

And of course the “quality” debate never goes away. Granted I accept that argument, but in the context of maintaining the breed only.

So let’s get away from what we’re told we want to bet on, and actually <i>ask</i> a few people on this thread.

TRF has a good cross section of contributors from across the sport, all linked by a regular interest, so can I ask you what type of races you like to bet in? Big fields, small fields, handicaps, claimers, pattern racing, all weather “dross” racing, etc…

Cheers

[Bachelors Hall]

I tend to bet on racing considerably less than I do other sports (and I’m a sporadic enough punter as it is) as it interferes with my pure enjoyment of the sport.

But as and when I do bet, it will tend to be on either small field novices races (prefer chases to hurdles) or pattern level WFAs. I never bet on handicaps unless I’m at a meeting with friends and even then, it would only be a few quid at a time.

[graysonscolumn]

The answer is that nowadays I tend to favour betting on either Point-to-Points and hunter chases, or else low-grade Rules handicaps and plating races.

Championship events with, overall, a more finite number of serious form contenders, hold little interest as betting media; small-field novice and conditions races less still.

Even within my preferred spheres, though, I bet solely on races for which I’ve put in sufficient research. Racing’s less a game and more a fool’s errand otherwise.

gc

Jeremy Grayson. Son of immigrant. Adoptive father of two. Metadata librarian. Freelance point-to-point / horse racing writer, analyst and commentator wonk. Loves music, buses, cats, the BBC Micro, ale. Advocate of CBT, PACE and therapeutic parenting. Aspergers.

[moehat]

Handicaps with lots of runners where I can waste my moneya little at a time for weeks and months having ante post bets. But I do want to learn more about ew accumulators so I can dream about what I’ll do with the fortune I’m going to make.

[Burroughhill]

None of them

[ricky lake]

Good question Cav

do very little betting nowadays , but when I do I like the each way option , so its Jump racing events with 9 or 10 runners

I cannot warm to the idea of backing nags on the flat nowadays

cheers

[apracing]

Races in which the prize money is sufficient to ensure that every runner is trying. Which in effect means Group, Graded and Listed races, plus the top tier of handicaps, both flat and NH.

[Nathan Hughes]

Mainly group flat races and Cheltenham. If I fancy a horse I’m not too fussed with the number of runners that are in it although it can affect things with draw and pace.

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[Slowly Away]

Nearly always small field handicaps

rarely bet on any race with more than about 6 or 7 runners…….and when I do it tends to be on a big priced EW shot

Do we really believe that punters prefer big fields ?

Bookies do…….not sure punters do

I don’t…..that’s my first elimination criteria looking at the days card……..ignore any race with more than half a dozen runners (for betting purposes that is, I’ll watch and enjoy them !)

[Purwell]

A/W sprint handicaps 8 runners minimum.

I've stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains
I've walked and I crawled on six crooked highways

[Drone]

I have for approaching ten years bet only on Steeplechases with the large majority being modest handicaps below a 125 ceiling. The

beau ideal

is a single-figure field with what I perceive to be a weak favourite to be taken on with one or more bets on value alternatives

Chases also happen to be my favourite races as entertainment, which may explain why they’re the only subset of race types that I’m any good at betting on, long term

The over-riding factor I’ve learnt from the blood, sweat and tears of 40 years’ punting is the absolute necessity of specialising, if your intention is to turn a profit, with all else wholly ignored

I’ve enjoyed Flat racing so much more since I gave up the challenge of trying to profit from it punting-wise

[no idea]

Love NH racing and bet mainly on novice races. Really enjoy novice chases
Love Cheltenham in March.

[Jonibake]

I wrote about this last week on my DLAP thread. Like Nath I bet mainly on Group races. Partly because you can be pretty sure they are all trying to win, partly because I am only really interested in good horses running in good races and partly because I am not clever enough to work out who should be winning a handicap.

I should also mention that my record this season when betting on races outside the UK and Ireland was so abysmal that I’ll be thinking twice about it next flat season. France especially, with stewards ready to throw a horse out for any interference, lots of tactically run races and trouble in running, has been far too costly for me this year!

"this perfect mix of poetry and destruction, this glory of rhythm, power and majesty: the undisputed champion of the world!!!"

[betlarge]

I gave up betting last year on the grounds that I wasn’t very good at it, but if I was to ever start again, I would like to have a tilt at Novices’ Hurdles, staying Handicap Hurdles and NH Flat races.

Mike

[kasparov]

I bet mostly on arbs, usually each way on 17 runner handicaps, sometimes cross-sport each way doubles. But I do a bit of straight win ante post as well – see my tips for Cheltenham 2015. I also usually do the tote trifecta rollover and occasionally the jackpot.

I find jump racing a bit difficult – smaller fields, chasing a bit random and harder to get an edge. But Irish handicap hurdles sometimes seem fairly straightforward as usually they have a lot of no-hopers.

[Gingertipster]

For Flat:
On Saturdays:

Best quality three, four or occasionally five races of the day; usually consisting of listed quality and above. Seldom get time to work out a big Flat Saturday handicap these days.

For Week Days:

Class 3 and above (including handicaps). Although when going racing… do bet in some Class 4 handicaps and some non handicap maidens (including Class 5).

Prefer:

Colts to fillies races.
Any distance graded races but mainly 7f to 1m4f handicaps because any interference in sprint handicaps is difficult to recover from… And don’t particularly like races with jumpers runnning in flat staying handicaps because it’s difficult to work out form.
When betting in maidens it’s usually early season 3 year old+ or mid to late 2 year olds.
Good or firmer rather than a soft surface.

Over Jumps:

On Saturdays:

Again – the best three, four or occasionally five races of the day; but this time including (and especially) big handicaps.

For Week Days:

Class 3 and above, prefurring handicaps to run of the mill conditions races. Although when going racing do bet in some Class 4’s.

Prefer:

Chases to Hurdles (particularly in handicaps).
Seldom get involved with novice hurdlers until later in the season.
Races on a soft surface without being heavy.

Value Is Everything

[homersimpson]

Anything at present as I can’t seem to lose. Long may it continue

[Author]

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