Horse racing is an extremely popular sport, and it’s easy to see why it has such a following. Each race brings excitement, as the tension builds, and you wait to see who will cross the line first.
Certain events add to the overall occasion as they bring in the best horses, jockeys, and trainers from across the planet to compete. Another factor that makes it appealing, for some, is actively betting on these races.
Coincidentally, one of the most high-profile festivals in the UK is nearly upon us, and you can check the new Cheltenham betting odds with Betfair already. Due to its stature and popularity, it’s something that will attract a lot of attention from punters.
However, Cheltenham, like any other race, has the potential to throw up a few surprises, and that unpredictability is partly what makes betting so fun. As, no matter what you do, you just don’t know how live sport is going to play out.
Nevertheless, there are still certain ways you can help yourself, and here we look at three rookie mistakes you should avoid.
Following the odds
Even though we’ve stressed the unpredictability of live sport, and horse racing, in particular, there are still some who automatically presume the favourites will win. As should be abundantly clear, they don’t. Shocks can happen, whether that’s Norton’s Coin winning the Gold Cup as a 100-1 outsider, or Devon Loch falling when holding first in the Grand National.
So, don’t presume that the favourites will win, and use the information you have access to in order to make a more informed decision.
Not knowing the track
Following on from that, one of the factors that you can control is developing a knowledge of the track and the horses involved. Anyone who knows horse racing will be aware of how crucial the surface can be to a race. Therefore, you should make sure you do all you can to know how a horse copes in different conditions.
Similarly, does a jockey excel at a certain venue? That can be particularly important at some of the biggest festivals. The likes of Cheltenham and the Grand National are high-pressure races for jockeys, so you may not know how they will cope. In that case, looking at past experience can help, as those who have delivered on big occasions know what it takes.
Betting on every race
Finally, horse racing is a sport that generally takes place all year round. So, don’t think that you have to bet on every race. That means if you can’t find a horse that represents value, or you don’t know who will win a certain race, then leave it. There will always be another opportunity to get involved at a different time.
That can even apply in certain festivals. Sticking with Cheltenham, there are seven races a day, so it’s not something that you need to rush or panic about.
Ultimately, horse racing is about providing you with entertainment, whether you bet on the races or not. For those that do, it’s important to acknowledge that anything can happen; but, whilst nothing can guarantee you success, avoiding these basic mistakes can help.
