Stupid Questions

[Lobos]

Can't emphasise this enough, been mentioned a few times by many of us but anyone new to punting or reading this who doesn't always do the individual lines, bonuses on lucky 15/31s are pretty much non existent and despite what people say about cash out, when you get the first two in the cash out offers on doubles are often beneficial to cash out and if any more go in you've the other perms for top money.

Agree that splitting is the best way but for those that are lazy, Betfred do offer 3x the odds on just 1 winner in Lucky 15's and upwards during the festival and before which is a very handy offer. Easy to get at least your stake back and more with just the 1 winner if you are clever

[Kotkijet]

I'm looking at the Timeform ratings of War Thunder and there are a couple of symbols on his ratings that I am not seeing explained anywhere.

At Wolverhampton, he was given t70+ and at Chelmsford, p72+

On the glossary, it says "t" relates to a bunch of headgear (he isn't wearing), and the "p" could refer to more headgear he isn't wearing, that he pulled hard (not given on in-running key) or that he is he is a likely improver (which is usually given after the rating). Furthermore, when I click on the races themselves, every runner in the Wolverhampton race is given a rating of p'something', and at Chelmsford, it's a'something'.

I am definitely out of the loop here!

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I'm looking at the Timeform ratings of War Thunder and there are a couple of symbols on his ratings that I am not seeing explained anywhere.

At Wolverhampton, he was given t70+ and at Chelmsford, p72+

On the glossary, it says "t" relates to a bunch of headgear (he isn't wearing), and the "p" could refer to more headgear he isn't wearing, that he pulled hard (not given on in-running key) or that he is he is a likely improver (which is usually given after the rating). Furthermore, when I click on the races themselves, every runner in the Wolverhampton race is given a rating of p'something', and at Chelmsford, it's a'something'.

I am definitely out of the loop here!

I might be wrong but doesn’t the ‘p’ refer to potential over and above the handicap mark. Is ‘t’ not tongue tie?

[Cheltenham Novice Chase]

I might be wrong but doesn’t the ‘p’ refer to potential over and above the handicap mark. Is ‘t’ not tongue tie?

Sorry ‘p’ is cheek pieces.

[Kotkijet]

Those were my guesses but War Thunder wasn't wearing any headgear on either occasion.

Also, doesn't the p usually come after the master rating, while the + is used on the race rating itself?

[Fouroverthrutwo]

Those were my guesses but War Thunder wasn't wearing any headgear on either occasion.

Also, doesn't the p usually come after the master rating, while the + is used on the race rating itself?

Do they relate to the racing surface? Tapeta and Polytrack??

[Kotkijet]

Great shout!

Checked it against other horses with AW form and it all fits. Cheers for that!

[The Giant Bolster]

This is my first year doing antepost more seriously so I had a couple of questions:

1. How do people's betting patterns develop through the year in term of proportion of outlay? Are there periods of the season you tend to put more on and others where you put less?

2. Related to this, has anyone done any analysis (if possible) of relative position of winners in markets over a year? It would be interesting if - based on evidence - there were points in the year where the market tends to reflect winners emerging.

I say this because my early strategy (fwiw) is to focus on the novice chases as races with strong trends and where there is less likelihood of challengers emerging. Whereas I've stayed away from novice hurdles since I'm nervous of what might be hidden away and not been run in the bumpers. But I'm not sure if this is quite right yet

[Quevega]

This is my first year doing antepost more seriously so I had a couple of questions:

1. How do people's betting patterns develop through the year in term of proportion of outlay? Are there periods of the season you tend to put more on and others where you put less?

2. Related to this, has anyone done any analysis (if possible) of relative position of winners in markets over a year? It would be interesting if - based on evidence - there were points in the year where the market tends to reflect winners emerging.

I say this because my early strategy (fwiw) is to focus on the novice chases as races with strong trends and where there is less likelihood of challengers emerging. Whereas I've stayed away from novice hurdles since I'm nervous of what might be hidden away and not been run in the bumpers. But I'm not sure if this is quite right yet

I would say that in general it would be smarter to increase stakes when your knowledge is greater - so nearer the start of the race, and on the rare occasion antepost when you can react quickly to the market and know that you are getting a much bigger price that is not going to be available for much longer. A basic example is when you manage to get a bet on as a horse is crossing the line first in another race. Or an injury to a big rival maybe.

The other obvious one is to increase stakes when you can have a bet with the NRNB concession (when the risks are much lower) A double whammy if you're fortunate to be able to get on in an example like the ones described above.

Not sure on you're second point.

I think that your strategy seems sound on the 2 novice divisions. For the reasons you've given.
With the hurdle division, for every Bob Olinger there are many losers alongside, and the bumper form doesn't often hold up either (although we may be going through a period when they do, due to the UK trainers seeming a few lengths behind with the quality of their novice hurdlers and bumper horses)

The championship races are also decent for antepost betting IMO.

I will be focussing on the novice chase's and the championship races for sure.

[Dandrew99]

2. Related to this, has anyone done any analysis (if possible) of relative position of winners in markets over a year? It would be interesting if - based on evidence - there were points in the year where the market tends to reflect winners emerging.

I'm logging all of the price changes throughout the year to do exactly this for next season

[The Giant Bolster]

Thanks both. I'm aiming to work within a budget so timing when to use it will be important. Increasing with nrnb definitely something I should plan for.

Looking forward to your analysis Dandrew99 should be an interesting angle

[The Giant Bolster]

Another question. What free horse trackers are recommended?

[Irish Rugby]

I've used both ATR and GG Alerts. No problems with either.

[Kevloaf]

Thanks both. I'm aiming to work within a budget so timing when to use it will be important. Increasing with nrnb definitely something I should plan for.

Looking forward to your analysis Dandrew99 should be an interesting angle

When I first started ante post, I used to work for a set budget, and broke it down per race.

This was something I stopped doing as I found myself 'forcing' bets in some races, being short of what I actually wanted in others, and more generally realising I was betting the same amount on 'punts' as I was 'strong fancies'.

[opatcho]

Another question. What free horse trackers are recommended?

THIS FORUM!

Not being a wise arse here either.

I pay for my Racing Post subscription, and use the tracker on there. However, most of my reminders about horses I'm keen on come from posts on here. Someone will post a stable update, or a review of the weekend races ahead, or call out a horse that has a great profile for the fez thats running, or someone will post up a To Win Today and the Fez