A furlong is the basic unit of measurement for horse races in the UK and Ireland. Equivalent to an eighth of a mile, or 220 yards in imperial measurement. There are two furlongs for every quarter-mile raced and four for half-a-mile.

Lengths are the standard unit of measurement between horses as they pass the winning the post. The length of a horse's neck is roughly equivalent to a quarter of a length. If a result goes to a photo finish, then even smaller margins such as a short-neck, head, short-head and nose are used, depending on how close those involved are to each other crossing the finish line.

How to Bet on Horses Explained - See How to Bet on Horse Racing

Q: How to pick a winning horse?

There are many different ways to pick a winner. The most common way how to bet on horses and win is to study previous form, consider potential improvement, look at current trainer form and the conditions of the race and track before betting, as well as the horse's place in the market.

Q: What type of races are there for me to bet on?

You can either bet on conditions races or handicaps in the UK. Whereas race terms determine what weights are carried in the former type of race, a handicap is based on official ratings corresponding to weight carried based on the top-rated runner involved.

Q: How do odds work in horse racing?

Odds work in much the same way with betting on horses as they do in other sports. They are a reflection of implied probability, so the shorter the price, the great the theoretical chance of winning.

Q: How do you bet money on a horse?

Log in or sign up to a betting site, then check you have funds in your account and make a deposit if necessary. Find the race you want to bet on, then click on the odds of the horse you wish to back to add it to your betslip. Now enter your desired stake and view potential returns before confirming the wager.

Q: What does NR in horse racing mean?

NR is the abbreviated form of non-runner. This means that a horse has been withdrawn from a race after being declared to run in it.

Q: How should a beginner bet on horses?

This is how to bet on horses for beginners: stick to major conditions races and look up whether the horses involved have won over the course and distance before. If they have, then you know that they handle the track.

Jamie Clark

Senior Editor

We independently review betting sites. Sign-ups through our links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you, this never influences our listings’ order.

This is how to bet on horses in a few easy steps:

Sign up to one of our recommended horse racing betting sites if you’re a new customer. If you already have an account, then log in to it.
You need money to bet with, so check your balance. Make a deposit to your account from the payment method of your choice.
Visit the horse racing section of the online bookmaker’s site and find the race of interest.
Look through the field of horses to find your fancy and, by clicking or tapping on their odds, add your selection to the betslip.
Now enter your stake, that is the desired amount of money you want to bet on the horse.
When you’re happy with the wager, hit Place Bet and you’re on.
All you have to do now is wait for the horse to run and the result to come in.

That’s how to place a bet on horse racing in a handful of straightforward steps. It sounds simple, but the process of finding winners is more difficult. We’re going to show you how to bet on horses in the UK and do well. There is so much to consider. Knowing how to place a bet on the horses is one thing, but what type and which runner to back are different matters entirely.

How to Bet on Horses – The Different Types of Bet

A key aspect of learning how to bet on horse racing is to understand the various different wagers available. These are the most popular types of bet punters place on the action:

Fixed Odds Bets

Win – As simple as it gets, back a horse to win the race.
Place – You can instead bet on horses finishing within so many places.
Each Way – More on this below, but you can back a horse both to win and place in the same bet.
Ante Post – If you wager before final declarations for a race come out, then this is called ante post betting and there is the risk of not getting a run for your money.
Distance – To get a better price on a fancied horse, you can bet on them winning by at least a certain distance. These are measured in lengths in the official result.
Without the Favourite – If you want to take the favourite out of the market, then you can. That’s where betting without comes in. In this market, it’s almost as if the most fancied runner isn’t actually competing. Should the horse you back beat the favourite or finish second to it, then the wager is a winner.

Pool Bets – Straight & Exotic Wagers

Win – Just the same as a fixed odds bet to win.
Place – Again, exactly like a fixed odds bet to be placed.
Exacta – Also called a Forecast bet; When you bet on two horses in the same race to finish first and second in a particular order.
Quinella – Sometimes called a Reverse Forecast. The bet is on two horses in the same race to finish first and second, but in any order with both permutations covered.
Trifecta – Also known as a Tricast bet in some areas. Where you bet on three (or more) horses in the same race finishing first, second and third in a particular order. Can also be reversed, and thus be any order if you add more lines.
Swinger – In this exclusive to the Tote betting wager, you pick two (or more) horses in the same race and they must both finish in the first three for it to be settled as a winner.
Placepot – Pick a horse that finishes placed in the first six races of a particular meeting.
Jackpot – Pick a horse that wins in each of the first six races of a particular meeting.

Accumulators

A horse racing accumulator sees you pick a horse in different races and put them together on the same slip. We’ve more on what is acca betting elsewhere on site too if you want to know more about how they work. Here are the three main types of accumulator:

Double – 2 picks from different races on the same slip, both must win for a successful bet.
Treble – 3 picks from different races on the same slip, all must win for a successful bet.
Accumulator – 4 or more picks from different races on the same slip, all must win for a successful bet.

Full Cover, Combination & System Bets

You can also take your accumulators and turn them into full cover bets, or combination and system wagers. This means as well as an acca with however many selections in it, there are also other permutations based on separate events like all possible Trebles, Doubles and even Singles:

Trixie – 4 bets on 3 horses as 3 Doubles and 1 Treble.
Patent– 7 bets on 3 horses as 3 Singles, 3 Doubles and 1 Treble.
Yankee– 11 bets on 4 horses as 6 Doubles, 4 Trebles and a Four-fold accumulator.
Lucky 15 – 15 bets on 4 horses as 4 Singles, 6 Doubles, 4 Trebles and a Four-fold accumulator.
Canadian– 26 bets on 5 horses as 10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, 5 Four-olds and 1 Five-fold accumulator.
Lucky 31 – 31 bets on 5 horses as 5 Singles, 10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, 5 Four-folds and 1 Five-fold accumulator.
Heinz– 57 bets on 6 horses as 15 Doubles, 20 Trebles, 15 Four-folds, 6 Five-folds and 1 Six-fold accumulator.
Lucky 63 – 63 bets on 6 horses as 6 Singles, 15 Doubles, 20 Trebles, 15 Four-folds, 6 Five-folds and 1 Six-fold accumulator.
Super Heinz – 120 bets on 7 horses as 21 Doubles, 35 Trebles, 35 Four-folds, 21 Five-folds, 7 Six-folds and 1 Seven-fold accumulator.
Goliath – 247 bets on 8 horses as 28 Doubles, 56 Trebles, 70 Four-folds, 56 Five-folds, 28 Six-folds, 8 Seven-folds and 1 Eight-fold.

Fixed Odds Prices vs. Pool Betting

If you want to know how to bet on horses in the UK, then there are three ways of going about it. Most punters take fixed odds prices offered by the bookies, while pool betting on the Tote is an alternative service. You can also bet on the exchanges, but more on those later. Each of these approaches to gambling on horse racing serves a slightly different section of the betting public.

Pari-mutuel betting pools like those provided by the Tote work well if you aren’t concerned about prices. You won’t know the returned dividends, i.e. the payouts, in advance. These things are only calculated with Tote betting after the race has been run. This is because of how the pari-mutuel wagering system works.

A fixed odds bet, meanwhile, sees you receive a return relative to the stake you bet based on the prices offered by traders on online bookmakers’ sites. You can thus know, or at least work out, in advance what you stand to gain from such a wager. That’s the main different between fixed odds prices and pool betting in a nutshell.

How to Work Out a Bet on the Horses

The format determines how betting odds work, whatever sport you’re wagering on. As it’s no different with horse racing, this is how you calculate what you could win. With fractional odds, which after all are the traditional way of expressing prices here, you look at the ratio of denominator to numerator to see potential profits.

Let’s say you back a horse at odds of 9/4 and put £20 on the bet. For every £4 wagered, you receive £9 in winnings. A £20 stake here means £45 in profit. Calculating total returns from a fraction also requires you to add the stake on, so the you get £65 back from the bookies if the horse wins.

With decimal odds, it’s even simpler. You just multiply the number by the stake and get total returns that way. A £20 bet multiplied by the decimal form price of 3.25 equals £65. For working out the profit, you just have to subtract the stake from the final total. For working out the profit, you just have to subtract the stake from the final total. If you want to take all the hard work out of number crunching, we have a horse bet calculator on the site that does all the sums automatically.

How to Bet on Horses Each Way

It’s not all about finding the winner, if there’s value in backing horses to finish placed. This is where you need an understanding of what does each way mean in betting in order to appreciate it something many gambling experts agree on. This is the best way to bet on horse racing as you can still make money without an outright win.

To briefly explain, the each way bet is one where you wager on the horse both finishing first and placed in the race. Your unit stake doubles to cover both aspects. A £5 each way bet has a £10 total outlay, for example. There are place terms that the bookies must adhere to, as laid out in the Tattersalls Committee Rules on Betting under Rule 3.

If less than five runners turn up, ten each way betting isn’t on the table at all. When there’s five, six or seven horses lining up, you get two places. Third place pays out if there are eight or more runners. Larger fields of 16 and above pay four places. There are also precise fractions, either a quarter or a fifth of outright betting odds depending on how many runners and if it’s a handicap or not, for the places.

That means for those wondering how to bet on horses each way properly, you need to consider the prices on offer. If the fraction of outright betting paid is a quarter, you must have odds of 4/1 (5.00) as the minimum to break even on the place. Should the fraction only be a fifth, meanwhile, then the threshold for doing so rises to 5/1 (6.00). Understanding that can change your whole approach to a wager on horse racing.

How to Lay a Bet on Horses

You have the option of betting on horses not to win their races. This is available to you through a gambling service that is quite different to the fixed odds bookmakers discussed above. Thanks to the creation of betting exchanges like Betfair, you can lay a horse to lose. The great thing about such wagers are you don’t have to name an alternative winner of the race, so you’ve got the entire rest of the field running for you.

Whether you back or lay horses on the exchanges, all wagers are peer-to-peer rather than fixed odds prices. This means you can set the odds and it’s up to another punter out there to match your stake or take the price you lay when you don’t fancy a particular runner. The exchange charges a small percentage in commission for facilitating the service.

Using the Betfair interface above as an example, this is how to bet on horses when you want to lay them. Hit the lay side of the market and then choose the backer’s odds and stake you want to match with your lay bet. Both the liability incurred by the bet and potential payout if you’re right about the horse should be available for toggling between.

The key thing with betting on the exchanges is understanding how it’s different from taking regular fixed odds prices from the bookies. You can lose more than your stake if you’re wrong about a horse and their performance, hence the fact that there are additional liabilities on top of the amount you bet. Exchange betting is for professional gamblers first and foremost, but it’s good to know how it works.

Biggest Horse Races UK Punters Bet On

As in any sport, some horse racing events are bigger than others. Certain cards and Festivals that celebrate and showcase the best equine athletes and their riders have developed in the UK over generations. According to the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB), the 10 biggest betting races in 2022 by turnover happened at one of three meetings.

These are the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National at Aintree and The Derby on Epsom Downs. While the former pair are National Hunt events where the horses jump hurdles or fences, Royal Ascot accounted for six of the top 10 Flat races British punters wagered on. It’s worth examining how to bet on horse racing meetings of this magnitude in more detail.

How to Bet on Horses for Cheltenham

With more popular betting races than any other gala of horse racing in the UK, the Cheltenham Festival in March is massive for punters and bookmakers alike. Many top jumpers have their entire season focused on peaking when they come to race at Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire Cotswolds. There are plenty of official and recognised trials for Cheltenham held throughout the National Hunt season starting in October.

It isn’t just UK horse racing you must pay attention to either. In recent times, Irish-trained horses have dominated the Festival. If you want to know how to successfully bet on horses at Cheltenham, then following form in the Emerald Isle is a key takeaway. Each division and discipline has trials throughout the core jumps season with 28 races in all at the Festival. The tables below show which races you should pay attention to if you want to back winners in the Grade 1 and 2 events:

Key Supreme Novices' Hurdle Trials - 2m Novice Hurdle Races

The best novice hurdlers over two miles have the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival as a major target. If you want to know how to bet on horses and win here, these are the trial races to follow form wise:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Joe Mac Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	2m	Tipperary	October
Sharp Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Cheltenham	October
Newton Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	1m 7f 144y	Haydock	November
For Auction Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	2m	Navan	November
Royal Bond Novice Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Fairyhouse	November / December
Sandown Novices’ Hurdle	Listed	Listed	Sandown	December
Future Champions Novice Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Leopardstown	Boxing Day
Tolworth Hurdle	Grade 1	2m 1f	Aintree	Boxing Day
Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	1m 7f	Haydock	January
Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Punchestown	January
Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Leopardstown	February
Exeter Novices’ Hurdle	Listed	2m 1f	Exeter	February
Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Kempton	January
Johnstown Novice Hurdle	Grade 2	1m 7f	Naas	February

Key Arkle Chase Trials - 2m Novice Chases

Top novices in steeplechases have the Arkle Challenge Trophy on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival as their aim for the season. The best way to bet on horse racing in relation to this event is to follow the form of these trials closely:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Buck House Novice Chase	Grade 3	2m 2f	Punchestown	October
Arkle Trial / November Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	1m 7f 199y	Cheltenham	November
Craddockstown Novice Chase	Grade 2	2m 40y	Punchestown	November
Henry VIII Novices’ Chase	Grade 1	1m 7f	Sandown	December
Klairon Davis Novice Chase	Grade 3	2m	Navan	December
Racing Post Novice Chase	Grade 1	2m 1f	Leopardstown	December
Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m	Kempton	December
Lightning Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m	Lingfield	January
Irish Arkle Novice Chase	Grade 1	2m 1f	Leopardstown	February
Kingmaker Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m	Warwick	February

Key Champion Hurdle Trials

Those who want to learn how to bet on horses successfully should know that a key Champion Hurdle trial, the International Hurdle, has moved from its traditional slot in the calendar to a new point in the season. From the 2023/24 jumps season onwards, this event will take place on Festival Trials Day in January and not in December. These are other key races en route to the Champion Hurdle, which headlines the first day of the big meeting at Cheltenham:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Istabraq Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Tipperary	October
Trustatrader / Kempton Hurdle	Listed	2m	Kempton	October
Bottlegreen Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 190y	Down Royal	October / November
Elite Hurdle	Grade 2	1m 7f 50y	Wincanton	November
Coral Hurdle / Ascot Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 3f	Ascot	November
Morgiana Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Punchestown	November
Fighting Fifth Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Newcastle	November / December
Hatton’s Grace Hurdle	Grade 1	2m 3f 130y	Fairyhouse	November / December
Kempton Christmas Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Kempton	Boxing Day
Matheson Hurdle / December Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Leopardstown	December
International Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 179y	Cheltenham	January
Irish Champion Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Leopardstown	February
Kingwell Hurdle	Grade 2	1m 7f 50y	Wincanton	February
Red Mills Trial Hurdle	Grade 3	2m	Gowran Park	February

Key Mares' Hurdle Trials

If betting on the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham appeals to you, then there are certain races you should follow in the UK and Ireland throughout the National Hunt season. Females horses have a much-improved dedicated programme in place these days, acting as a great incentive to keep them in training. Here are the key trials to study form-wise:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle	Listed	2m 6f 100y	Limerick	October
Wetherby Mares’ Hurdle	Listed	2m	Wetherby	October / November
Grabel Mares Hurdle	Listed	2m 2f 40y	Punchestown	November
Kempton Mares’ Hurdle	Listed	3m 110y	Kempton	November / December
Leopardstown Mares Hurdle	Grade 3	2m 4f	Leopardstown	December
Sandown Mares’ Hurdle	Listed	2m 3f 173y	Sandown	January
Warfield Mares’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 7f 118y	Ascot	January
Yorkshire Rose Mares’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 128y	Doncaster	January
Warwick Mares’ Hurdle	Listed	2m 5f	Warwick	February
Quevega Mares Hurdle	Grade 3	2m 4f 100y	Punchestown	February

Key Staying Novice Chase Trials for the National Hunt Chase & Broadway Novices' Chase

Long-distance novices over fences have options at the Cheltenham Festival. They can either really test their stamina in the Grade 2 National Hunt Chase on day one of the meeting, but must have an amateur rider rather than a professional jockey on board. Alternatively, there is the Grade 2 Broadway Novices’ Chase on Ladies Day during the Festival over a shorter distance of an extended three miles. For those wanting to know how to bet on horses at Cheltenham in this division, these are the key races to take a second look at:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
From The Horse’s Mouth Novices’ Chase	Listed	3m	Cheltenham	November
Florida Pearl Novice Chase	Grade 2	2m 6f	Punchestown	November
Esher Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	3m	Sandown	December
Kauto Star Novices’ Chase	Grade 1	3m	Kempton	Boxing Day
Neville Hotels Novice Chase	Grade 1	3m	Leopardstown	December
Hampton Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	3m	Warwick	January
Woodlands Park Novice Chase	Grade 3	3m 1f	Naas	January
Flogas Novice Chase	Grade 1	2m 5f	Leopardstown	February
Ten Up Novice Chase	Grade 2	3m	Navan	February
Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	3m	Ascot	February

Key Ballymore Novices' Hurdle Trials - Intermediate Novice Hurdle Races

For novice hurdlers who stay further than two miles, the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle over 2m 5f is an attractive alternative on day two of Cheltenham. The horses competing here always have the option of stepping up or dropping back in trip in future if it doesn’t work out, or they show really speed and/or stamina to win. The best way to bet on horse racing with the Ballymore is to look closely at the following trial races including three events they sponsor:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Persian War Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 3f 100y	Chepstow	October
Trustatrader Hyde Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 5f	Cheltenham	November
Monksfield Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	2m 4f	Navan	November
Winter Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 3f 173y	Sandown	December
Navan Novice Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 4f	Navan	December
Challow Hurdle	Grade 1	2m 4f	Newbury	December
Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle	Grade 1	2m 4f	Naas	January
Classic Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 4f 56y	Cheltenham	January
Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle	Listed	2m 3f 173y	Huntingdon	February
Premier Kelso Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 2f	Kelso	February / March

Key Queen Mother Champion Chase Trials - 2m Steeplechases

As the Ladies Day highlight of the Cheltenham Festival, the Queen Mother Champion Chase pits the fastest horses over fences against one another. There are various trials throughout the core jumps season you should pay attention to. This is the proper way of approaching how to bet on horses at Cheltenham and beat the bookies while you're at. Check out these key two-mile Champion Chase trials:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Haldon Gold Cup (Limited Handicap)	Grade 2	2m 1f 109y	Exeter	November
Poplar Square Chase	Grade 3	2m	Naas	November
Shloer Chase	Grade 2	1m 7f 199y	Cheltenham	November
Fortria Chase	Grade 2	2m	Navan	November
Tingle Creek Chase	Grade 1	1m 7f	Sandown	December
Hilly Way Chase	Grade 2	2m	Cork	December
Paddy's Rewards Club Chase	Grade 1	2m 1f	Leopardstown	December
Desert Orchid Chase (Limited Handicap)	Grade 2	2m	Kempton	December
Clarence House Chase	Grade 1	2m 1f	Ascot	January
Dublin Chase	Grade 1	2m 1f	Leopardstown	February
Game Spirit Chase	Grade 2	2m	Newbury	February
Newlands Chase	Grade 3	2m	Naas	February

Key Turners Novices' Chase Trials - Intermediate Novice Chases

Any novices over fences out there that don’t have the speed for the Arkle, but might find the staying steeplechases too much too soon do have an alternative on the third day of the Festival. The Turners’ Novices Chase has been run as the JLT and Marsh, but has the registered title of Golden Miller Novices’ Chase. This honours a record five-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner during the 1930s, who also won the Grand National. What punters need to do if they want to figure out how to bet on horses and win this race is to look through these trials around the British Isles:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Like A Butterfly Novice Chase	Grade 3	2m 4f	Tipperary	October
Robert Mottram Memorial Trophy	Listed	2m 3f 98y	Chepstow	October
Cork Novice Chase	Grade 3	2m 4f	Cork	November
Rising Stars Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f 35y	Wincanton	November
Berkshire Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m 3f 187y	Newbury	November / December
Drinmore Novice Chase	Grade 1	2m 3f 165y	Fairyhouse	November / December
Noel Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m 2f 175y	Ascot	December
Fuagheen Novice Chase	Grade 1	2m 3f 160y	Limerick	Boxing Day
Towton Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f	Wetherby	January
Killiney Novice Chase	Grade 3	2m 3f 160y	Punchestown	January
Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase	Grade 1	2m 4f 10y	Sandown	February
Pendil Novices’ Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f 110y	Kempton	February

Key Ryanair Chase Trials - 2m 4f Steeplechases

The Ryanair Chase is a halfway house between the Champion Chase and Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Many horses are at their most effective at an intermediate trip of around two-and-a-half miles, rather than over two or three-and-a-quarter. A blend of speed and stamina is what you’re looking for here with many of the best winners having travelled powerfully throughout. Follow these Ryanair Chase trials carefully and you should do well when betting:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Gowran Park Champion Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f	Gowran Park	September / October
Old Roan Chase (Limited Handicap)	Grade 2	2m 3f 200y	Aintree	October
Skymas Chase	Grade 2	2m 3f 120y	Down Royal	October / November
Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase	Listed	2m 4f	Carlisle	October / November
Clonmel Oil Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f 96y	Clonmel	November
1965 Chase	Grade 2	2m 5f 8y	Ascot	November
John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase	Grade 1	2m 3f 200y	Punchestown	November
Peterborough Chase	Grade 2	2m 3f 189y	Huntingdon	November / December
Silviniaco Conti Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f 110y	Kempton	January
Kinloch Brae Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f 78y	Thurles	January
Ascot Chase	Grade 1	2m 5f 8y	Ascot	February
Red Mills Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f	Gowran Park	February

Key Stayers' Hurdle Trials - Staying Hurdle Races

While it has gone in and out of vogue, the Stayers’ Hurdle is the co-feature race on the penultimate day of the Cheltenham Festival, enjoying joint-top billing alongside the Ryanair Chase. Hurdlers have their stamina tested around two laps of the New Course. Many of those wondering how to bet successfully on horses here should be aware that the division can often end up being dominated by the same horse for quite a while. These Stayers’ Hurdle trials are where your search for the winner should be conducted:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
West Yorkshire Hurdle	Grade 2	3m	Wetherby	October / November
Lismullen Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 4f	Navan	November
Long Distance Hurdle	Grade 2	3m 52y	Newbury	November / December
Long Walk Hurdle	Grade 1	3m 97y	Ascot	December
Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle	Grade 1	3m	Leopardstown	December
Relkeel Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 4f 56y	Cheltenham	New Year’s Day
John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle	Grade 2	3m 100y	Gowran Park	January
Cleeve Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 7f 213y	Cheltenham	January
Boyne Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 5f	Navan	February
Rendlesham Hurdle	Grade 2	3m 58y	Haydock	February

Key Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle Trials - Novice Hurdle Races for Mares

One of the most recent additions to the Cheltenham Festival is the Grade 2 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, celebrating the only horse to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. This is always run at a frenetic gallop, so it’s no bad thing if the female you back stays a bit further than two miles and a furlong. For those asking how to bet on horses properly here, there are some established trials you should follow:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Feathard Lady Mares Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	2m 190y	Down Royal	October / November
Voler La Vedette Mares Novice Hurdle	Listed	2m 3f 80y	Punchestown	November
Newbury Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle	Listed	2m 69y	Newbury	November / December
Boreen Belle Mares Novice Hurdle	Listed	2m 6y	Thurles	December
Byerley Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle	Listed	2m 104y	Taunton	December
Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	2m 2f 110y	Fairyhouse	January
Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle	Listed	2m 5f	Punchestown	February
Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 3f 173y	Sandown	February

Key Triumph Hurdle Trials - Juvenile Hurdle Races

The best four-year-olds in training over obstacles kick off the fourth and final day of Cheltenham in the Triumph Hurdle. Hurdlers improve at different rates and, in the past, it wasn’t unusual to not see the best of their age bracket turning out until the month before the Festival. There are plenty of trial races in the UK and Ireland in the juvenile hurdle division. Here they are:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle	Listed	2m	Wetherby	October / November
Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 56y	Cheltenham	November
Newbury Juvenile Fillies’ Hurdle	Listed	2m	Newbury	November / December
Bar One Racing Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 3	2m	Fairyhouse	November / December
Summit Juvenile Hurdle	Listed	2m 1f	Aintree	December
Triumph Hurdle Trial	Class 2	2m 179y	Cheltenham	December
Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Leopardstown	Boxing Day
Finale Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Chepstow	December 27
Finesse Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 179y	Cheltenham	January
Spring Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 1	2m	Leopardstown	February
Scottish Triumph Hurdle	Listed	1m 7f 124y	Musselburgh	February
Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle	Class 2	1m 7f 144y	Haydock	February
Adonis Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 2	2m	Kempton	February
Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle	Grade 3	2m	Fairyhouse	February

Key Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Trials - Staying Novice Hurdle Races

Hurdlers that are all stamina should turn up in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over the same course and distance as the Stayers’ Hurdle. Many horses tackling this three-mile test could well come back at future Festivals and have the Gold Cup as their aim. There’s no real secret as to how to bet on horses at Cheltenham in this division. They need a stamina-laden pedigree and to have done well on the track in these recognised trials:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Cork Novice Hurdle	Listed	3m	Cork	November
Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	3m	Cork	December
Albert Bartlett Trial Bristol Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 7f 213y	Cheltenham	December
Dorans Pride Novice Hurdle	Grade 2	2m 7f	Limerick	December
Albert Bartlett River Don Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	3m 84y	Doncaster	January
Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle	Grade 1	2m 6f 27y	Leopardstown	February
Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle	Grade 3	3m	Clonmel	February
Albert Bartlett Prestige Novices’ Hurdle	Grade 2	3m 58y	Haydock	February

Key Cheltenham Gold Cup Trials - Staying Steeplechases

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the blue riband event of steeplechases, attracting the best jumpers of fences that stay around to the Festival. It’s a race that all jockeys, owners and trainers are in the sport of horse racing to try and win. As ever, there are other top level races at three miles and beyond throughout the National Hunt calendar in the run-up to the Gold Cup that can give you clues on who to bet on:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Irish Daily Star Chase / Carvill’s Hill Chase	Grade 3	2m 7f 200y	Punchestown	October
Charlie Hall Chase	Grade 2	3m 45y	Wetherby	October / November
Down Royal Champion Chase	Grade 1	3m	Down Royal	October / November
Betfair Chase	Grade 1	3m 1f 125y	Haydock	November
King George VI Chase	Grade 1	3m	Kempton	Boxing Day
Savills Chase	Grade 1	3m	Leopardstown	December
New Year’s Day Chase	Grade 3	2m 6f 50y	Tramore	New Year’s Day
Cotswold Chase	Grade 2	3m 1f 56y	Cheltenham	January
Irish Gold Cup	Grade 1	3m 44y	Leopardstown	February
Denman Chase	Grade 2	2m 7f 86y	Newbury	February

Key Mares' Chase Trials - Steeplechases for Mares Only

The newest of all Cheltenham Festival races is the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase over two-and-a-half miles. Both novices and experienced female horses have won this race since its introduction. Much of the jumps programme in the UK and Ireland has been tweaked to reflect this. Those wanting to know how to bet on horses with success in relation to this must consider both novice chase form and races open to all mares over fences such as these:

Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase	Listed	2m 4f 96y	Clonmel	November
Bud Booth Mares’ Chase	Listed	2m 7f 191y	Market Rasen	November
Houghton Mares’ Chase	Listed	2m 4f	Carlisle	November / December
Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase	Grade 2	2m 160y	Cork	December
Lady Godiva Mares’ Novices’ Chase	Listed	2m 4f	Warwick	December
Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase	Grade 2	2m 6f 120y	Limerick	December
Yorkshire Silver Vase Mares’ Chase	Listed	2m 4f 115y	Doncaster	December
Fowler Memorial Mares Chase	Grade 3	2m 5f 3oy	Fairyhouse	January
Anaglog’s Daughter Mares Novice Chase	Grade 2	2m 4f 78y	Thurles	January
Lady Protectress Mares’ Chase	Listed	2m 3f 189y	Huntingdon	January
Opera Hat Mares Chase	Listed	2m	Naas	February
Colreevy Mares Novice Chase	Listed	2m 5f 205y	Thurles	February

How to Bet on Horses in the Grand National

They call the Grand National the world's most famous steeplechase. If you've ever sat down and watched it, then you will soon understand why. A maximum field of 40 horses run over the famous spruce-covered fences including Becher's Brook, the Canal Turn and The Chair at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool every April. The Grand National is a real slog, not just for horses and their jockeys, but anyone who wants to know how to bet on horses the right way and win money on this Premier Handicap.

Given the huge field size and unique test of the course, anything can happen. There are tons of trials listed below that you should look at as pointers for the Grand National, but with so many runners only one approach is recommended. You really must bet each way on this race, because that mitigates the high potential for losing your stake.

When asked how to bet on horses in the Grand National by your friends and family, it's OK to hedge your bets on this particular race. Come up with a shortlist of contenders from among the many possible runners and back them so you have more than one iron in the fire. You may also want to wait until Extra Places become available with the bookies, so your each way bets pay out on fifth or sixth place, or even further down the field.

Key Grand National Trials

Grand National Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Scottish Grand National	Premier Handicap	4m	Ayr	April
bet365 Gold Cup	Premier Handicap	3m 5f	Sandown	April
Kerry National	Grade 3	3m	Listowel	September
Munster National	Grade 3	3m	Limerick	October
Cork Grand National	Listed	3m 4f	Cork	November
Troytown Handicap Chase	Grade 3	3m	Navan	November
Coral Gold Cup	Premier Handicap	3m 2f	Newbury	November / December
Porterstown Handicap Chase	Listed	3m 5f	Fairyhouse	November / December
Becher Chase	Premier Handicap	3m 2f	Aintree	December
Paddy Power Chase	Listed	3m	Leopardstown	December 27
Welsh Grand National	Premier Handicap	3m 6f	Chepstow	December 27
Peter Marsh Chase	Premier Handicap	3m 1f 25y	Haydock	January
Thyestes Chase	Grade 3	3m 1f	Gowran Park	January
Swinley Chase	Premier Handicap	3m	Ascot	February
Grand National Trial	Premier Handicap	3m 4f	Haydock	February
Irish Grand National Trial	Listed	3m 4f	Punchestown	February
Eider Chase	Class 2	4m 1f	Newcastle	February
Bobbyjo Chase	Grade 3	3m 1f	Fairyhouse	February
Coral Trophy	Premier Handicap	3m	Kempton	February
Premier Chase	Listed	2m 7f	Kelso	February / March
Grimthorpe Chase	Class 2	3m 2f	Doncaster	February / March
Leinster National	Listed	3m 1f	Naas	March
National Hunt Chase	Grade 2	3m 6f	Cheltenham	March
Cross Country Chase	Class 2	3m 6f	Cheltenham	March
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup	Class 2	3m 2f	Cheltenham	March
Cheltenham Gold Cup	Grade 1	3m 2f	Cheltenham	March
Midlands Grand National	Premier Handicap	4m 2f	Uttoxeter	March
Irish Grand National	Grade 3	3m 5f	Fairyhouse	Easter Monday

How to Bet on Derby Horses Online

Just like with the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National, there are recognised trials for The Derby at Epsom both the season before and in the spring leading up to it. They call this race the premier Classic in that it's the most prestigious and valuable Flat event for three-year-old colts (and fillies who can also run) in the UK. If you want to know how to bet on horses and win The Derby, these are the trials to follow:

Trials for The Derby

Derby Trial Race Name	Class of Race	Race Distance	Racecourse	When
Futurity Stakes	Group 2	7f	Curragh	August
Acomb Stakes	Group 3	7f	York	August
Solario Stakes	Group 3	7f	Sandown	August / September
Champions Juvenile Stakes	Group 2	1m	Leopardstown	September
Vincent O’Brien National Stakes	Group 1	7f	Curragh	September
Beresford Stakes	Group 3	1m	Curragh	September
Autumn Stakes	Group 3	1m	Newmarket	October
Zetland Stakes	Listed	1m 2f	Newmarket	October
Dewhurst Stakes	Group 1	7f	Newmarket	October
Vertem Futurity Trophy	Group 1	1m	Doncaster	October
Ballysax Stakes	Group 3	1m 2f	Leopardstown	April
Feilden Stakes	Listed	1m 1f	Newmarket	April
Blue Riband Trial	Listed	1m 2f 17y	Epsom	April
Sandown Classic Trial	Group 3	1m 1f 209y	Sandown	April
Newmarket Stakes	Listed	1m 2f	Newmarket	April / May
2000 Guineas	Group 1	1m	Newmarket	May
Irish Derby Trial	Group 3	1m 2f	Leopardstown	May
Chester Vase	Group 3	1m 4f 63y	Chester	May
Dee Stakes	Listed	1m 2f 70y	Chester	May
Lingfield Derby Trial	Listed	1m 4f	Lingfield	May
Dante Stakes	Group 2	1m 2f 56y	York	May

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How to Bet on Royal Ascot

When it comes to Royal Ascot, punters have even more races to choose from than at the Cheltenham Festival. Whereas that jumps meeting is seven races per day for four days, this gala on the Flat goes on for five. That's 35 races in total with a full range of Listed and Group races, plus handicaps for thoroughbred racehorses of different genders.

There is almost too much going on at the Royal meeting, so the best advice we can give punters for how to bet on horses effectively during it is to narrow down what you wager on. You may just want to sit and observe the events only open to two-year-olds, for example, as very little known is about these youngsters form wise.

If betting on Royal Ascot handicaps, consider carefully if there's a draw bias that can make or break chances in a big field. Each of the Group races asks something different of horses too. As a three-year-old, colts and fillies run on the Round Mile in the St James's Palace Stakes and Coronation Stakes respectively. If returning to the Royal meeting the following year, then they will race on the Straight Mile in the Queen Anne Stakes and/or Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, which provide stiffer stamina tests.

Past course and distance form, plus previous Royal Ascot performances, should all be taken into account. It's worth knowing, for example, that Ascot Gold Cup contenders may have contested the Queen's Vase at this meeting earlier in their careers. For sprinters, meanwhile, there are opportunities to keep coming back to Royal Ascot with the Commonwealth Cup as three-year-olds, then the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes as an older horse.

How to Bet Successfully on Horses

You've hopefully picked up quite a few tips along the way of how to bet on horses and enjoy success. We've got some more general advice on doing it the right way below. Follow these hints and it should enable you to make better decisions when betting more often:

Always Bet Each Way

We explained how to bet on horses each way above; so, provided such an angle is possible based on the prices, why wouldn’t you do it? While the outlay is greater because of the unit stake doubling, it mitigates the potential for loss. Anything that allows for that is a good thing and helps you in your quest.

Take on Favourites in the Most Competitive Races

Even though their implied probability suggests they have the best chance of winning, favourites don’t always justify their place. The market can’t be right all the time and, the more competitive the race, then the less likely those at the head of it are to win. You should never be afraid to take on the favourite in a horse race, especially in a big field handicap where many runners have chances. Look at the betting bar the market leader in case there’s value elsewhere.

Look Out for Bookie Offers

From Extra Place races for your each way bets to Money Back as a Free Bet deals, the bookies run many promotions specific to horse racing. These are all the extra incentive or excuse many punters need to bet, especially if they already have a view on the race. It’s worth considering why these are on offer and how they work.

Such deals either enhance your chances of getting a horse placed or take away some of the risk of losing your stake. If these betting offers are available on a race that interests you, then what are you waiting for? Get involved as you’re being actively encouraged by bookmakers to take a punt.

Where to Bet on Horses

There are lots of contenders among horse racing betting sites in the running for our recommendation. This is due to the enduring popularity of taking a punt on this sport. Each bookie offers something slightly different, so it depends on what you're looking for when you bet on horses. As noted above, more Extra Place Races are what each way punters desire.

Those concerned about reducing the potential for loss, meanwhile, will welcome Money Back as a Free Bet deals. One of the best overall rounded experiences for betting on horse racing comes through Spreadex, as they let you put fixed odds wagers and spread bets on the races all in the same space. Other bookies we recommend include Betgoodwin, Betfred and 888sport.

FAQs

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Jamie Clark

Senior Editor

Jamie Clark

Senior Editor

Jamie Clark has been with www.bettingsites.co.uk from the very beginning and penned the very first pieces of content that appeared right here. Known for his horse racing expertise, his strong gambling knowledge comes from childhood where he was surrounded by both horses and betting. The godson of a former on-track bookmaker at Market Rasen Racecourse, Jamie ended up working in the same industry and became Sports Editor of heavyweight bookies Coral for three years before they merged with Ladbrokes. After a successful spell freelancing for other big names in the business, he helped us launch this site with his skills, experience and ability coming in useful. Read long form content across a range of betting subjects from Jamie right here.

All posts by Jamie Clark

How to Bet on Horses Explained – See How to Bet on Horse Racing Online

How to Bet on Horses – The Different Types of Bet

Fixed Odds Bets

Pool Bets – Straight & Exotic Wagers

Accumulators

Full Cover, Combination & System Bets

Fixed Odds Prices vs. Pool Betting

How to Work Out a Bet on the Horses

How to Bet on Horses Each Way

How to Lay a Bet on Horses

Biggest Horse Races UK Punters Bet On

How to Bet on Horses for Cheltenham

How to Bet on Horses in the Grand National

How to Bet on Derby Horses Online

How to Bet on Royal Ascot

How to Bet Successfully on Horses

Always Bet Each Way

Take on Favourites in the Most Competitive Races

Look Out for Bookie Offers

Where to Bet on Horses

FAQs

How to pick a winning horse?

What type of races are there for me to bet on?

How do odds work in horse racing?

What is a furlong?

How do you bet money on a horse?

What does NR in horse racing mean?

How should a beginner bet on horses?

What is a length?