Racecards vary in their design and dimension from racecourse to racecourse, but fundamentally they all contain the same information when it comes to laying out a horse’s “form”.

Form is basically the information a punter needs to know in order to make the right decision on what horses to back and that information is generally derived from a central database/source.

In the UK, the data comes from the Weatherbys Racing Administration, in Eire it is collated by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI).

A racegoer looking at a racecard for the very first time may get confused and bewildered by all the numbers and letters crammed onto a page, but the whole idea of the card is to provide as much useful information as possible in a straightforward but comprehensive way.

So what can you find inside a standard racecard? We endeavour to find out:

You may struggle to zoom into our example of an actual racecard page so let’s set a fictional race so we can analyse what each section refers to:

• 3:30 Southwell (AW)
• The 888Sport Bet On Cheltenham Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+ 0-70)
• Winner: £5,000
• Runners: 10
• Distance: 1m
• Going: Standard
• Channel: Sky Sports Racing

Understanding A Racecard

• 3.30 - This is the time that the race should officially start at. Quite often there will be some slight delays because at the end of the day, horses can be unpredictable animals.
• Southwell (AW) - This is the name of the racecourse the racing is taking place at. The (AW) in brackets informs us that we are racing on this occasion is on an all-weather track.
• The 888Sport Bet On Cheltenham Handicap - the title of the race usually incorporates the sponsor’s name or makes reference to who is putting up the prize money. The 888Sport brand continually sponsors a variety of UK horse races throughout the season. 

If the race is a handicap, the word handicap is included in the race’s title itself or in brackets somewhere in the title. During the National Hunt Season, this race title header informs us whether the race is a chase, hurdle or national hunt flat race (NHF).

• Class 4 - This refers to the stature of the race in terms of the quality of its participants. On the Flat the range extents from the top class (Group 1) to the lowest division – class 7. Over the jumps it ranges from Grade 1 (the top) to class 6.
• (3yo+ 0-70) - This section tells us which horses are eligible to run in the contest. This example race is open to all horses aged three years old and over and which are rated up to 70. A horse rated over this mark cannot enter.
• Winner: £5,000 - This is self explanatory really. This is the amount of prize money handed to the winning owners. The better quality races invariably carry more prize money as a rule of thumb.
• Runners - This is the number of runners declared to run in the race. This figure is very important to punters when they are considering how many places will be on offer if they wish to place an each-way bet. Essentially the rules are: 1-4 runners (win only), 5-7 runners (e/w 1,2), 8-15 runners (e/w 1,2,3), 16 runners+ handicaps (1,2,3,4). Bookmakers quite often offer extra places on certain races so it is best to check their each-way conditions beforehand for your selected race.
• Distance - This is the distance over which the race will be run. It is generally set out in miles, furlongs and yards.
• Going - This refers to the type of ground conditions the horses will be running on.

AW racing will be either standard (St) or standard/slow (St/Slw).

Turf Racing will be either Heavy (Hvy); Soft (Sft); Good to Soft (GS); Y (Yielding, *IRE only), Good (G); Good To Firm (GF); Firm (Fm).

• Channel - This is where you can expect to watch the race live. As of 2022, the television channels that show live horse racing are: UK: Racing TV, Sky Sports Racing & ITV. IRELAND: Racing TV, RTE & ITV Racing Tips. 

As well as these channels, most bookmakers’ websites allow access to the live pictures either for free or a minimum betting stake (often 50p).

What Other Information Is On The Racecard? 

So far we have only picked up on the basics of the racecard but of course there is so much more information contained in them.

Jockey Colours

The first thing people notice is the colourful array of shirts the jockeys wear. These are also known as silks and are designed by the horse's owners.

Sometimes an owner may have two or more jockeys in the same race wearing the same colours, so the caps vary in colour in order for the spectators to differentiate between the horses.

Draw

Next to the horse's number, you will see another number in brackets. This is the number of the stall the horse will race from in a Flat race. There are no stalls in NH races.

The draw is an important factor in selecting a horse. Short races with large fields and track biases for particular sides of a racecourse are both impacted by the draw.

Headgear

As well as the bridle, horses can sometimes have other accessories added to their body to help with their concentration. In a racecard, you will sometimes see these main ones listed:

h – hood, b - blinkers (if being worn for a first or second time a 1 or 2 will be beside the letter), p - (sheepskin) cheekpieces, t - tongue-tie, v – visor, e - eye hood, Ht - hood and tongue-tie, e/c – eyecover, e/s – eyeshield.

Betting

You will find the predicted betting odds underneath the runners at the bottom of the page.

Form

This is probably the most important element of any racecard.

A horse’s recent form is usually displayed near to his/her name on the card. This figures and letters show how the horse has performed in their most recent outings.

Form figures are read from left to right, with the number on the far right indicating a horse’s most recent run.

The numbers represent the positions the horse finished in. Abbreviations (i.e the letters) are used alongside the numbers. P = Pulled Up, F = Fell, UR = Unseated Rider, BD = Brought down, R = Refused, are the main ones, but you will sometimes see S = slipped, O = horse ran out, D = disqualified, V = void.

A hyphen indicates a new season, while a forward slash indicates two seasons have passed.

If you are ever unsure about form figures, just ask somebody, especially if you are in attendance at a race meeting. People are always happy to help.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 10th March 2022

• Chief Mouse was the first horse in the UK to win in cheekpieces in 1998
• The Jockey Club originally said the new headgear was a “fad”
• Mighty Thunder won the 2021 Scottish National wearing cheekpieces

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Why Use Headgear In Racing?

Some trainers have found that if they apply headgear to their racehorse it helps them maintain focus.

Horses often get spooked by something in their peripheral vision and some are affected by the slightest of movements on a regular basis. When this happens the trainer usually reaches for some sort of headgear.

What Are Cheekpieces?

One form of headgear that horses are allowed to wear for racing in the UK and Ireland are cheekpieces (also known as French blinkers).

They consist of two soft lengths of sheepskin that are attached to the bridle and run down either side of the horses head.

The job of the cheekpieces is to partially obscure the vision of the horse, with the idea being it cannot see what is immediately behind in its peripheral vision.

In theory the horse should now concentrate on the course in front and be geared up to clear the jumps and ditches if they are a National Hunt horse. It helps to keep their minds settled during a race.

Benefits Of Cheekpieces

Sheepskin cheekpieces are renowned for helping a horse concentrate and avoid distractions.

Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell uses extra large French blinkers on her runners that have concentration problems. Speaking previously about Caesars Palace, who was quite a handful on a racecourse:

“He’s a very cunning horse, and if you put normal blinkers on him, he’ll sulk, but the cheekpieces make him think that he hasn’t got anything on and are less restrictive than blinkers.

"The effect is that when a horse suddenly comes up behind him and into his line of vision, he’s surprised and surges forward."

Evolution Of Cheekpieces

Once considered a “fad” by the Jockey Club, cheekpieces have become commonplace in British horse racing. Back in 2002, when Storming Home wore them in the 2002 Champion Stakes, a Timeform essay wrote of them:

“The horse was sporting a set of outlandish white sideburns. One might have thought that sideburns of such proportions had gone out of fashion with Palmerston, Gladstone or Tory MP’s of the Thatcher era such as Dr Rhodes Boyson, but they are the latest word in what horses can be seen in when out and about on Britain’s racecourses.

"More usually these pieces of equine headgear are described as sheepskin cheekpieces. Apparently, they perform a similar function to blinkers or a visor, but allow more vision.

Speaking after the Champion Stakes, Barry Hills, trainer of winner Storming Home, explained that “the cheekpieces have made him concentrate and made him an easier horse to ride’ and winning jockey Michael Hills said that “the cheekpieces have made a big difference – he just travels so much better”.

Storming Home was the NAP of the day in many newspapers even though he was wearing cheekpieces.

Declaring Cheekpieces

Cheekpieces must, like other forms of headgear, such as blinkers, hoods and visors, be declared overnight. It is important that horse racing punters are privy to this information before they place a bet.

A horse wearing cheek pieces is denoted by a letter ‘p’ after the horse’s name in the trade papers and in the race cards.

For those of you that go racing in France, sheepskin cheekpieces are marked on the official programme after the name of a horse by the symbol “X”.

Discovering whether your fancied horse is wearing cheekpieces may enhance your Cheltenham Festival betting strategies in the long run?

Up until 2002, only on-course punters in the UK were aware when a horse was equipped with sheepskin cheek pieces.

Many people thought this was grossly unfair and representations were made to make this information freely available the night before the race.

The Jockey Club were very lukewarm on the whole declaration idea in the early days. John Maxse, their public relations director at the time was quoted as saying:

"The decision whether to require trainers to declare sheepskin cheek pieces has put us in something of a quandary and we are not totally committed to its introduction.

"It has been put on the backburner as we would have to justify the additional computer cost (believed to be around £8,000) for what may be a little bit of a fad."

Sheepskin cheek pieces were first employed on a British racecourse, by the trainer Frank Jordan on Chief Mouse at Bangor in September, 1998.

Described by his trainer as "an old monkey", Chief Mouse (5/1 in the betting) won by a head – his first success for 18 months!

Recalling that day Jordan said: "When we tried Chief Mouse in ordinary blinkers he didn't do a tap, but he worked like a dream in the cheek pieces.

When his owner walked into the paddock he turned to me saying: 'What the hell are those things? Take them off'.

Pam Sly, who trains near Peterborough, put them on her chaser I've No Say and he won twice after being fitted with them. Mrs Sly commented: "They are less severe than blinkers and are useful on a horse who has lost his edge. I can see no problem with declaring them."

Midlands-based trainer Ian Williams was very dubious about cheekpieces at the time. "I used them once when we forgot to declare blinkers, but I don't think they are as effective and I never saw them in France when I worked for François Doumen," he said.

“Some may say cheek pieces are pulling the wool over punters' eyes, but declaring them seems unlikely to make sorting out the sheep from the goats any easier.”

The application of cheekpieces by trainers down the years has considerably helped many punters with their horse racing online bets.

Famous Horses Who Won Wearing Cheekpieces

• Jan 2022 - Paddy Power Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) Chantry House (Nico De Boinville)
• Nov 2021 - Badger Beer Handicap Chase (Listed) Rocco (Jordan Nailor)
• Sept 2021 - Irish St. Leger (Group 1) Sonnyboyliston (Ben Coen)
• Apr 2021 - Punchestown Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) Clan Des Obeaux (Sam Twiston-Davies)
• Apr 2021 - Scottish Grand National (Grade 3) Mighty Thunder (Tom Scudamore)
• Oct 2020 - Champion Stakes (Group 1) Addeybb (Tom Marquand)
• Jul 2020 - Derby (Group 1) Serpentine (EJ McNamara)
• Mar 2019 - Pertemps Final (Grade 3) Sire Du Berlais (Barry Geraghty tips)

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 10th March 2022

Barry Geraghty and John Francome: The Road to Cheltenham Part 1

Barry Geraghty and John Francome are on a road trip down memory lane, as they look forward to the Cheltenham Festival 2022.

The legendary National Hunt jockeys start their journey in the Valley of the Racehorse, Lambourn, and wind their way through Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds before reaching the mecca: Cheltenham.

They'll be plenty of laughs along the way as the pair reminisce about their Cheltenham Festival wins and the stories behind them, as well as giving their picks for this year's big races, including the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers' Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In part one of a four-part series, Geraghty, who rode 43 Cheltenham Festival winners, picks up Francome from his Lambourn home, and they soon wind past the HQ of Barry's former boss, Nicky Henderson, who is preparing the favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Constitution Hill, and to whom Geraghty bought and sold to Henderson as a foal.

As the duo motor through the Oxfordshire hills, talk soon gets on to this year's Arkle Chase and then the feature race of day one, the Champion Hurdle.

With unbeaten mare Honeysuckle bidding to defend to her crown for trainer Henry de Bromhead and jockey Rachael Blackmore, Geraghty and Francome are split as to whether she can hold off the challenge of the Willie Mullins-trained Appreciate It.

Geraghty, who won the Champion Hurdle four times on the likes of Jezki and Epatante, and Francombe, who triumphed on Sea Pigeon, can't split the pair.

Scroll down for part two of Barry and John's Road to Cheltenham, which sees them look forward to day two of the Cheltenham Festival, featuring the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Barry Geraghty and John Francome: The Road to Cheltenham Part 2

Barry Geraghty and John Francome continue their Road to Cheltenham as they reminisce about the Queen Mother Champion Chase and look forward to this year's renewal.

The legendary National Hunt jockeys recall Geraghty's fabulous five wins in the race, twice on Moscow Flyer and one victory each on Big Zeb, Finian's Rainbow and Spinter Sacre, as they wind through the Oxfordshire countryside on their journey to Prestbury Park.

Geraghty talks of his affection for the race and his five winners, and struggles to split Moscow Flyer and Sprinter Sacre in his hall of fame.

This year, the likes of Nicky Henderson's Shishkin and the Willie Mullins-trained pair Chacun Pour Soi and Energumene are bidding for a crown which eluded Francome during his illustrious career.

The pair also preview the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, in which the Mullins horse Sir Gerhard is strongly fancied, while in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, Bravemansgame and Galopin Des Champs are vying for favouritism.

Make sure you look out for part three of Barry and John's Road to Cheltenham, which sees them look forward to day three of the Cheltenham Festival, featuring the Stayers' Hurdle.

Barry Geraghty and John Francome: The Road to Cheltenham Part 3

Barry Geraghty and John Francome are edging closer to Cheltenham on their road trip to Prestbury Park.

In part three of the Road to Cheltenham, Francome and Geraghty are focusing on day three of the Festival, which features the Stayers' Hurdle and Ryanair Chase.

Geraghty won the Stayers' Hurdle on Iris's Gift for trainer Jonjo O'Neill, while Francome triumphed in the race on Derring Rose.

This year, 2019 winner Paisley Park is bidding to regain his crown but it's a wide-open content, with the likes of Flooring Porter, the Willie Mullins-trained Klassical Dream, Thyme Hill and Champ all vying for the favourite's tag.

Geraghty, who won on Champ in 2020 in what is widely considered to be one of the great Festival rides, is unsure whether his former partner can get back in the winners' enclosure again this year and is leaning towards Klassical Dream.

In the Ryanair, Allaho is considered to be one of the bankers of the meeting, but both Francome and Geraghty think Eldorado Allen has a strong each-way chance.

And in the Turner Novices' Chase both are backing Galopin Des Champs to get the better of Bob Ollinger in what some think could be the race of the meeting.

Scroll down for part four of Barry and John's Road to Cheltenham, which sees them look forward to day four of the Cheltenham Festival, featuring the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Barry Geraghty and John Francome: The Road to Cheltenham Part 4

It's the final part of Barry Geraghty and John Francome's Road to Cheltenham, as they reach Cheltenham town centre and make the final climb atop the iconic Cleeve Hill.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the feature race on the Festival's final day, and both Geraghty and Francome have triumphed in racing's premier steeplechase.

Francome took glory aboard Midnight Court in 1978, while Geraghty crossed the winning line in first on both Kicking King and Bobs Worth.

This year, the likes of A Plus Tard, Galvin and defending champion Minella Indo are going for glory, with strong challenges expected from Protektorat, former winner Al Boum Photo and Tornado Flyer.

Geraghty believes Henry de Bromhead's Minella Indo will take some stopping, despite his defeat in the King George at Kempton, while Francome says stablemate A Plus Tard, second last year, can reverse the placings this year.

The pair also make their selections in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle.

Vauban is favourite to give Wille Mullins yet another Festival winner in the Triumph, while a wide-open Albert Bartlett could go the way of the Gordon Elliott-trained Ginto.

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• One of the greatest jockeys to ride around Prestbury Park, Barry Geraghty chats to 888sport about the best way to ride at Cheltenham

• Geraghty talks about his Cheltenham Festival highs and lows while also offering his unique insight into the moments races are won and lost at the meeting

• Follow Barry's best bets and tips across all four days at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival

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Barry Geraghty rode 43 Cheltenham Festival winners, so knows almost better than anyone the ins and outs of riding what is probably the most unique track in National Hunt horse racing.

With the Cheltenham Festival 2022 just a week away, 888sport horse racing ambassador Geraghty, who has won all of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle at least once, walks the course and explains just what a challenge it presents for both horse and rider.

What are the differences between the Old and New courses? Which are the fences that catch out inexperienced novices? How significant are the undulations? Did Ruby Walsh or AP McCoy ride Cheltenham better?

Geraghty answers these questions and more as he recalls the moment the great Moscow Flyer came down at one of the open ditches in the 2004 Queen Mother Champion Chase, while he describes how the energy-sapping uphill finish provides as big a tactical test as it does an examination of stamina, which played into his hands on Finian's Rainbow in the 2012 renewal of the race.

And what of his miraculous ride on Champ in the 2019 RSA Novices' Chase?

The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding come from an impossible position at the third last fence to snatch glory in the dying strides from the likes of Minella Indo, trained by Henry de Bromhead, and the Willie Mullins-trained Allaho, in what is widely considered to be one of the great Cheltenham Festival rides.

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• There are several types of bridle that can be fitted onto a racehorse
• Some bridles are “bitless”
• Paddock watching a horse in its bridle can aid your punting

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What Is A Bridle And How Does It Work?

Racehorses are very powerful animals and in order to be able to ride and control them some sort of contraption needs to be applied.

This item is universally known as the bridle. The whole relationship between a horse and its rider rests in the correct use of the bridle.

The bridle is a piece of headgear that the racehorse wears in order for the jockey to be able to steer and control it.

The bridle generally consists of a bit that runs between the horse’s teeth attached to head straps, while the long reins come back down the neck and into the hands of the jockey.

If horses were not fitted with a bridle then they would be unsteerable and their riders would be plonked on the floor after a few strides.

Bridle Types

Naturally bridles come in all sorts of designs and types and some work for particular horses better than others. The following bridal types can typically be found on racehorses today:

• Anatomic Bridle

Anatomical bridles are designed with the horse’s anatomy in mind. They allow the horse to be more comfortable and move freely.

This type of bridle is designed and cut to be a specific shape to help prevent pressure on a horse’s facial nerves.

• Micklem Bridle

The Micklem bridle is designed from the inside out and from the shape of the skull itself.

This is to avoid any pressure on the five areas which consistently cause discomfort with traditional headwear.

• Double Bridle

The double bridle (also known as the Weymouth Bridle) consists of two bits: the bridoon (snaffle bit) and the curb.

The double bridle can have a very sharp effect on the horse's mouth due to the increased leverage it offers is therefore only suitable for experienced riders.

• Schockemohle Bridle

Schockemohle are designed with a specifically shaped headpiece and nose band to release pressure from the horses head, nose and neck, making sure that the horse has the maximum comfort through extra padding.

• Bitless Bridle

Bitless bridles have been observed to solve a number of issues, from head shaking and bridle lameness to napping, rearing and anxiety.

Ridden behaviours like head nodding and excessive salivation also lead to riders and trainers to explore bitless options for their horse.

• Snaffle Bridle

The snaffle is the most commonly used bridle because of its versatility and functionality. The snaffle bridle can be used for most horse disciplines including jumping, dressage, and trail riding.

It can be used with a snaffle bit or with a Pelham or curb bit. A racing term you sometimes hear which is derived from this bridle name is “the horse was on the snaff”.

On The Bridle vs Off The Bridle

These are very familiar terms in the sport of horse racing but what do they actually mean in practice?

The term “on the bridle” is used when a horse has got used to the bit being between its teeth and the reins flow back naturally to the jockey.

Sometimes horses don’t take to the bridle and they become frustrated and fractious in the paddock. Quite often you will see a horse fighting against the bit with its tongue in the parade ring.

Generally when the jockey climbs on board they put the horse at ease and familiarise it with the bridle. In most cases the horse will settle and will be ready to race.

Conversely, “off the bridle” is a phrase used when the horse isn’t travelling well during a race. Quite often later down the line, such horses are always equipped with cheekpieces.

If a racing pundit or commentator ever says of a horse ‘it won on the bridle’ it generally means it won with the minimum of fuss and did not need to be ridden vigorously.

Do Bridles Impact Betting On Horse Racing?

Horse racing is fundamentally a betting sport and punters can quite often gain an edge in their betting if they can identify which horses are on or off the bridle.

As well as identifying which horses are comfortable in the paddock with their bridle, you can also work out which ones are at ease with their equipment whilst heading down to the start.

Jumps races are much longer than flat races so a horse is more likely to come off the bridle in the NH sphere, In short sprint races horses don’t generally come off the bridle because the races are over quite quickly.

When a horse reaches the limit of its stamina reserves it will come off the bridle and invariably will struggle to hold its place.

Being able to identify when a horse has come off the bridle is an important tool and skill for successful horse racing punters, especially those that play the in-running markets with their horse racing online bets.

A trained eye can give you an increased advantage over your fellow bettors.

You must remember that for 90% of the race the jockey's job is to slow the horse down and save his energy for the concluding stages of the race.

A horse that is running 'on the bridle' is still being held back from going full speed by the jockey pulling him/her back with his the reins.

A horse that is running 'off the bridle' is one where the jockey has had to let go of his tight grip and allow the horse to run faster to maintain its momentum.

The jockey lets some slack go out of his reins because he is struggling to keep up with the other horses that are still around him and are still on the bridle. His mount will probably now struggle to maintain those exertions for a prolonged period of time.

Being ridden 'off the bridle' is generally an ominous sign for a punter as the horse is highly likely to be overtaken and swamped by the chasing pack.

At the end of any given race most horses will be 'off the bridle' because the battle to the line saps up all their reserves of energy. Of course there are some exceptions... 

Some horses are simply lazy travellers and need to be cajoled along by the jockey for most of the race.

Many horse racing commentators will incorrectly describe these types as being 'off the bridle' when in fact it is just the way they always run and they tend not to find much extra when let off the bridle.

Sometimes horses win very easily and visually never come 'off the bridle''. The commentators and pundits will often make a big deal about this because it leads to the notion that they could have won by a lot further if the jockey let them off the bridle.

Often you will hear associated descriptions such as “he won hard held” and “the jockey had a double handful'” both implying that the horse won even though the jockey still had hold of a tight rein.

A high percentage of horses that score in this manner are quite often the NAP of the day in the national newspaper racing pages.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*

 

FIRST PUBLISHED: 9th March 2022

• Kylian Mbappe, Timo Werner and Alphonso Davies feature among the fastest footballers in the world

• Davies is one of three Bayern Munich stars in this fastest football player list

• How important is speed in the modern game?

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The fastest football players in the world are always a football betting factor.

While pace isn’t a necessity for elite footballers, it can change matches. Being able to run in behind or recover in defence is invaluable.

Fastest Footballers In The World (2022):

• Kylian Mbappe

• Kyle Walker

• Inaki Williams

• Adama Traore

• Leroy Sane

• Sadio Mane

• Timo Werner

• Alphonso Davies

• Achraf Hakimi

• Douglas Costa

The quickest footballers in the world are not necessarily in the Golden Boot running – some are creators, and many operate from full-back or wing-back roles.

Here are 10 of the fastest football players on the planet, led off by Paris Saint-Germain superstar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to David Vincent / AP Photo*