How To Spot A Winning Horse
An expert guide to spotting a winning horse. Spotting that winning horse could make you millions, but it is very tough! Learn how best to spot a winning horse by following VideoJug's guidance.
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Step 1:
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Do your homework
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Look at all the horses taking part in the race as well as who's riding and training them. As a general rule the best jockeys only ride top horses so if you see a name you recognize like Frankie Dettori it's a fair bet to back the horse he's riding
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Step 2:
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Talk to the pros
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Every betting shop and race course up and down the country has a small army of regular gamblers who know betting and love to talk about it. Indulge in some casual betting banter to discover who are the horses, trainers and jockeys to watch and to get a feel for the field.
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Step 3:
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The form
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When you arrive at the course pick up an official race card. This will list the runners in each of the races and their recent racing history including placings, going on the day and weight carried. You should take all of these into account and compare then with the conditions on the race day when. If a horse has only excelled in good conditions and it's muddy on your race day look elsewhere.
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Step 4:
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Paddock inspection
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A paddock inspection is central to many race goers betting tradition and a lot of useful information can be gleamed if you know where to look. Encouraging signs to look for in a horse are a glossy coat, alert countenance and a high head carriage. Also examine the horse's ears; they should be large and pointed not flattened back against the head which suggests agitation.
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Step 5:
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Movement
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You should watch how the horse walks and look for a smooth easy stride. It's ok if the horse breaks into short bursts of jogging but beware the horse that sweats up and won't be lead calmly around the paddock; it's wasting valuable nervous energy.
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Step 6:
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Weight
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A flat racing horse should be well muscled but lean. A fit looking horse is said to 'carry plenty of condition'. Any extra weight will impede their chances so look for a horse with defined muscle behind the ribs, a strong looking rump and no excess fat on its belly. Steeple chasers need to have a bit more condition on them and they should be slightly heavier boned.
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Step 7:
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Focus
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Horses fitted with a hood or blinkers over their eyes are thought to lack focus but many overcome this short coming by wearing these extra bits of tack so if the horse seems settled and focused during the walk round then don't let this affect your decision to back it.
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Step 8:
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Canter past
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If you have time before you place a bet try to watch the horses canter down to the starting line. It will allow you to examine it's movement when in an extended canter. The horse should stride out well in an easy flowing motion. If it seems to be picking its way over the ground this indicates that its uncomfortable with the 'going' and will not perform to its best ability.
