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The recent Grand National at Aintree is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. With its famous fences like The Chair and Becher’s Brook, the circuit at Liverpool is one of the most demanding and requires a horse with immense stamina to compete as it stretches to over four miles. The race is also a handicap which means that the runners carry different weights specific to their rating.
Handicapped Races Try To Even Up The Field
In handicapping, the better horses carry a greater weight relative to their higher rating band while less fancied horses will carry less of a load to ensure they can still compete on a more level playing field. Wagering on handicapped races takes careful research and study of the form and conditions. Even then, in a race like The National, chaos can reign. The 2023 winner, Corach Rambler, unseated its rider at the very first fence this time. Similarly, when 20 horses are released from a starting gate all at the same time, the Kentucky Derby odds can occasionally turn into mayhem too.
Picking a winner with so many variables on the day might seem too difficult a science, but there are key areas to focus on. The handicapper assesses a specific horse on recent form and results and a myriad of other components. These include the distance they have covered recently, the track’s ground conditions which may be a variation of heavy, firm, good or soft, and the fitness of the horse. It also looks at their race pace in the field and the experience of the riding jockey.
Who’s In The Saddles Matters Too
The jockey statistics and the human elements of the race are sometimes just as important as the animal. Tracing the trainer data in recent events can establish a pattern as well. The partnership between certain jockeys and trainers is also a thread worth researching. Although backing the superior jockey is no guarantee of success, they will probably make the least mistakes and understand the nuances of gaining good track position and pacing of their mount.
How To Interpret Speed In Handicapping
Speed is one of the most important pieces of data in evaluating the capabilities of the runners and riders. These ratings – known as Beyer Speed Figures in the United States – are the most utilized metric. Some of the data will show how horses compare against a strong field and how they ride against less competitive horses. The crossover information is vital.
The speed of the last turn might be a flat-out sprint, similar to the race pace or it could be a tiring climb into an upward gradient. Split times – or intervals – are a good barometer to evaluate overall capabilities of a horse at different junctures on different tracks. Monitoring the acceleration or deceleration of a horse at different points can provide invaluable information on the suitability of track conditions for a potential winner.
Look Beyond Form For A Handicapped Horse Race Wager
It is imperative to look beyond “just” form. It is more advisable to try and work out the best odds. Ultimately, a handicapping system is still a subjective one so it is best to search behind the numbers to assess probabilities
For instance, Kentucky Derby odds will be less certain because it isn’t a typical horse race. The 2022 winner was an unfancied 80-1 shot that was only entered into the race a day and a half beforehand. Moreover, track conditions are key for betting. If dry conditions suddenly become wet, then those horses with staying power and better tread will then suddenly be in their element while the firm ground hooves will be less stable.
Kentucky Derby odds are sometimes too difficult to call as the race is full of three-year-old thoroughbreds that have not completed anything like one and a quarter miles in front of a baying crowd of over 150,000. Ultimately, historical clues, like starting gate numbers with a low percentage, high percentage or no wins might offer a clue. Thinking outside of the (horse)box is a good idea.
Ultimately, the ability to identify key factors in handicapped races is essential. All horses have limitations, even more so when carrying extra. While it is important to study the form cycle and recent activity for a specific horse, it should not be read in isolation. Some racers are superior to their official rating and that’s where personal handicaps can come good. The more blue ticks for specific areas where a race may be won (or lost), the better.
Michael specializes in journalism, digital content production and social media management. He has a passion for numerous sports including football, horse racing and ice hockey. Michael currently works on a freelance basis, producing daily content for various outlets within the sports industry.
