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This is how to bet on horses in a few easy steps:
Sign up to one of our recommended 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.
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.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
What is a furlong?
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is a length?
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.
Jamie Clark
Senior Editor
Jamie Clark has been with 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.
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