Punting guide

Whether it is the case or simply a selective memory we can all recall our first bet being a winning one, and of course I was no different, Tempus Fugit on a visit to Belle Vue in 1998. With my cash came the “bug”, the buzz of a winner to take forward to the next race and something I think most would agree is instilled in us as enthusiasts and punters from that day on.

However, how we take that forward can branch off in two directions, whether it be as a recreational punter or going that little bit further, delving deep in to the form book, understand running styles and for the want of a better phrase, getting inside the mind of the grader and crucially, making it pay.

To my knowledge any successful punter has their own individual style, of course utilising similar information and tools as much as the next person but drawing on individual experiences and race nuances and using that to their advantage.

Like many, learning from my mistakes made me a better punter, and of course whilst errors inevitably still creep in, it’s the nature of the beast, we all get it wrong, by sticking with the following points I believe my judgement is a lot better and crucially, from a punting perspective, more reliable.

1. PICK YOUR TRACK(S) AND STICK TO THEM

Be it from a successful punting experience or simply taking a shine to a venue, I have found it crucial to have a set number of tracks to concentrate on, primarily because attempting to beat the layers at every meeting every day would make the workload nigh-on impossible.

Many successful horse racing punters draw upon a niche they have gained that works for them and the same rules apply in greyhound racing.

The key is to understand how your chosen track runs, for example knowing Henlow’s 550 metre trip boasts the highest percentage of make all winners, or Yarmouth’s 462 trip the worst, would make for a solid starting point.                                

Of course, each greyhound circuit is oval shaped in nature, but understanding the final times, sectionals and the grades for your chosen track is another highly significant point and again they are unique to each venue. Take Sheffield & Nottingham as a case in point, both have their standard 4-bend trip set at 500 metres, yet final times recorded at each track differ vastly. A top grade A1 performer at the former would be going somewhere near the 29-second mark, whereas one at the latter track would be nearer 30 seconds for the same distance.

2. KNOW YOUR DOGS

It might sound obvious but another key attribute to making punting work is to know the dogs you are working with. Okay, with some tracks hosting five meetings a week, the actual amount of runners competing at any particular one could well be in excess of 400. A daunting thought, yet it is amazing just by watching races how quick the mind can process many of the individual runners. Subconsciously even after a limited time watching, greyhounds can become categorised in the mind, whether that be because of a likeable attribute, a style of running or may be because they are an out-an-out rogue.

These key factors quickly join forces in the mind when individuals meet each other in a race and information can be processed a lot quicker with this bank of knowledge behind you. Not allowing for the fact there is often a constant influx of new runners to any particular track of course, a lot can be derived from a debut run and, in the case of youngsters/unexposed sorts, they are best kept on side as a rule.

3. UTILIZE FORM & VIDEO REPLAYS SIMULTANEOUSLY

The most important of the pointers is the use of form & video replays without doubt.

“The formbook doesn’t lie” is a term brandished about freely but a lot of substance can be attached to that fact and, alongside our offering at Timeform of individual master ratings and sectional ratings for every dog, the information available to us as punters should allow us to make more informed decisions provided the hard graft goes in to studying.

The above makes up a considerable percentage of what is needed to make punting successful, yet significant weight should also be attached to video replays.  As an example, the fact a greyhound may not have been beaten far but finished only fourth in a race can subconsciously register as a mediocre display when analysing a racecard, or a judgement that a dog is in the grip of the grader. Video evidence can and often does portray a different story, did the dog encounter trouble? Was he/she inconvenienced by the run of the race last time? (i.e an early paced sort surrounded by similar types that ultimately affected their performance). With the inevitability of these factors in play, the value of video replays is highly apparent and, particularly when searching for value next time out, something difficult to glean from the form book alone.

4. GET TO KNOW THE TRAINERS

Creatures of habit? Yes, I would think it fair to call most trainers creatures of habit, like any profession in most industries individuals have a way they like to work, and working out how a trainer brings a dog on can be a crucial punting tool. Some can usually be relied upon to have their runners up to speed from early on, whilst others (particularly with a constant flow of unexposed sorts) will often wish to bring them on gradually.

Working out those that tend to have higher class performers as a rule can also prove fruitful, particularly when they have newcomers/unexposed sorts operating in the lower grades early in their careers.

5. GET INSIDE THE MIND OF THE GRADER

The grader or handicapper’s job is get six dogs in any particular race finishing in a line, nigh-on impossible of course but the majority do an excellent job of getting them to finish in a heap.

Losing runs can be a cause for concern from a punting angle but a good working knowledge of point two can nullify off-putting losing sequences if the grader has placed a number of positive factors in a greyhound’s favour (dropped markedly in grade/operating from a favourable draw).

Every racing office have a duty to ensure each contracted trainer boasts their fair share of winners each month and, analysing those down the scoring percentage chart mid-month can prove lucrative thereafter, bearing in mind you would expect some leniency towards those trainers to level the playing field. Remember, it’s his/her job to be fair across the board.

The pointers highlighted aren’t proposed as exhaustive and individuals will draw upon rules they use from experience gained, which will undoubtedly carry weight, but sticking closely to them can and will provide an avenue for successful punting on greyhound racing.