What you need to know about spread betting on the horses.
Below we describe the more common horse racing spread betting markets. You will find that each spread betting firm will introduce additional markets, sometimes unique to them, especially for special sporting events.
Rules for each market may vary between spread betting firms, especially for markets where points are allocated for specific events, so always ensure you fully understand the rules of a market before placing a bet.
Favourites Index
The spread gives an indication of how the favourites will perform in each race at a particular meeting. The points allocated may vay from one spread bet firm to another.
e.g.
Winning favourite = 25 points
Second place favourite = 10 points
Third place = 5 points.
In the event of a race starting with joint favourites, we take the favourite as being the horse with the lower racecard number.
Racing Post Favourites Index
This is based on the same principle as the Favourites Index but the favourites are those printed first in the betting section below each race card in the Racing Post.
Again, these horses are awarded points as in a similar manner to above.
Race Card Double Numbers
The make up is double the total race card number of the winners of each race in a meeting.
So, for example, if horse number 6 wins the first race then 12 points are allocated.
Starting Prices (SPs) of Winning Horses
The aggregate sum of the starting prices of the winners at a race meeting.
A maximum starting price is normally set, such as 50-1, even if a horse wins at a greater price.
Stop at a Winner
How many races on a card will elapse before a favourite wins?
The make-up will usually be a multiple of the number of that race, such as ten times.
Winning Distances
The spread represents what the total winning margins will be at a meeting.
A maximum winning distance will normally be set, for example, 15 lengths for a Flat Race and 30 lengths for a National Hunt Race. This also applies should only one horse complete the race. Distances under a length will be given fractions of a length:
e.g.
Short Head = 0.1 of a length
Head = 0.2 of a length
Neck = 0.3 of a length
Half a length = 0.5 of a length
3/4 of a length = 0.75 of a length
Jockey Index
The spread represents a "Jockey Performance", where selected jockeys are awarded various performance points based upon their performance. The points allocated may vay from one spread bet firm to another.
1st = 25 points
2nd = 10 points
3rd = 5 points
Individual Race Index
A bet may be offered about the performance of horses in individual races, awarding points according to official finishing positions. The points allocated may vay from one spread bet firm to another.
This market gives one an opportunity to back or oppose a horse, something which traditional fixed odds betting does not offer.
The points structure will vary according to how many runners there are in a race.
e.g.
For races with up to 12 runners:
1st = 50 points
2nd = 25 points
3rd = 10 points
Races with over 12 runners::
1st = 50 points
2nd = 30 points
3rd = 20 points
4th = 10 points
Match Bets
The distance between two nominated horses in a race at the finish.
A maximum distance will normally be applied, for example, 12 lengths in a Flat race and 15 lengths in a National Hunt race.
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