Tips for Those Attending the 2020 Horse Races 

Horse racing season is upon us once again which means it’s time to consider which events you’ll be heading to in 2020. If you’re new to racing, here are some Cheltenham Festival tips and any other races you may spectate this year.  

Brush Up on the Terminology 

The terminology surrounding different races can be confusing but understanding it before you head to an event will enhance your experience completely. In British racing, the ‘going’ of the course spans… 

• Heavy 
• Soft 
• Good to soft 

• Good 
• Good to firm 
• Firm.  

This refers to the conditions of the ground and can completely change a horse’s performance. You won’t often hear people talking about the odds, as they will most likely talk about the ‘price’ of the horse. When you’re looking at betting on a horse, you should ask what price it is as this will give you a guide to its form. A horse priced 50-1 is not likely to have good form, which isn’t to say they won’t win but the chances are slimmer. The ‘trip’ is the distance of the race and this can also be a contributing factor into how well a particular horse might perform.  

Picking a Winning Horse 

Selecting a horse means paying attention to the horses that are clearly in form, which means referring to the race card and assessing the selection’s previous performance. The last few placings are indicated by numbers next to the horse’s name – the lower the number, the better the result, and the more wins means the horse is in form. There are also letters you should pay attention to, most notably the letters ‘C’ and ‘D’.  

• C means the horse has won on that particular course previously  

• D means it’s won that particular distance.  

Best Places to Bet 

There are several ways to place a bet. The first is betting on the Tote, which is a pool-betting system, meaning everyone stake money on a particular type of bet for that race is pooled together. If the selection wins, the pot gets divided among the winners, minus the profit margin and costs. An alternative option is to select the horse with the bookmakers in ‘ring’, which is more of an experience and means you’re at the heart of the action on race day.  

If you want to bet with your local bookie, you can head to a traditional betting shop or you can place your bets online. Before you choose, it’s important to make sure you take the early price. This involves looking at the online offers, particularly if you’re a new customer. Bookmakers are always looking for ways to attract new customers and you can often benefit from free bets or offers this way.  

Horse racing is a brilliant sport and attending in person provides you with the chance to really soak up the great atmosphere. 2020 has some great events lined up, from the Grand National and Glorious Goodwood to Royal Ascot and Cheltenham. Once you know the events you will want to visit, take a look at the competing horses and jockeys, and enjoy placing your wagers.