UK Horse Racing Tips

Of all the forms of gambling possible in the UK, betting on horses continues to draw in the greatest numbers. The racing of thoroughbreds, grandly labelled the Sport of Kings, is in fact synonymous with betting. Two main forms exist, Flat Racing, purely distance running, and Jump Racing, which entails clearing fences. Both are now run all year round at over 60 racecourses nationwide. To become a successful "punter" there are numerous details to bear in mind.

  1. Study the Form

    • The form must be studied carefully. Has the horse you want to back run well over this distance or over this type of ground before? How good is his jockey? Can he cope carrying extra weight? There are many variables to consider, which is why for novices it is a good idea to follow a tipster. These are found in most national newspapers and especially the "Racing Post," the UK's top racing newspaper. There are also many online tipster sites, such as AtTheRaces.com.

    Select Your Staking Method

    • There are various staking plans. The most recommended method is usually to start on a level stakes (win and/or place) basis and then increase your stake slightly, perhaps by one tenth each time, until a winner is obtained, so that hopefully the winnings also cover previous losses.

      Other methods could be complex combinations of doubles--two bets which both must win to gain a return; trebles--three that each need to win; and accumulators--double bets where the winnings from the first race are used as the stake for the second, on several horses. Once experienced, each punter will have his own preferred way of betting in order to achieve a margin or a minimum level of profit each period.

    Choose the Right Bookmaker

    • There are several bookmakers in all large towns in the UK, the biggest being the likes of Coral, Ladbrokes and William Hill. These soon get wise to punters who keep winning and will eventually prevent you from betting. If you develop this nice habit it is therefore important to have accounts with a selection of bookmakers. They also offer different prices for the same races. Small independent "bookies" are also plentiful, but be careful: there is no point in putting on an accumulative bet with a possibility of winning £50,000 if the bookmaker can only pay £20,000.

    Know When To Stop

    • Every successful gambler only remains so by being sensible and quitting while he is ahead. All regular winners also lose a lot of the time; the key thing is not to hastily chase your loss immediately, as this will most likely lose you more. The British Horseracing Authority suggests deciding on a limit before placing any bets and sticking to it. This way wins are like a bonus and losses are part of your original cost.