How to use Info Boxes
A few key areas to check in a race are obviously the rating in column A, also note the race card is in the order of the ratings.
Next always check what I refer to as “info boxes”, these in short can determine the strength of the ratings and which races are more suitable to backing, laying or simply avoiding.
Check the strength of the ratings via the “Negative Rated” this displays the amount of horses equal to or below zero (0) and always check the biases and their respected average.
| 16 | Runners | 39.38 | Avg Rating | |
| 4 | Negative Rated | 630 | Bias A | |
| 60.92 | Avg Rating | |||
| 731 | Bias B |
Next check both Bias A & B the lower this figure is, the better it can be for backing and vice versa for laying. The above example indicates that you want to be looking at horses rated above 60.92 for backing and anything under 39.38 for laying. Using both the negative runners and biases to cut your field size down.
For the above example it would be a good laying opportunity, if
- The horse was negative rated, due to their only been 4 negative rated and plenty of positive rated.
- The horse was rated below 39 and at least three other horses rated above 60.
- The horse was rated below 39 and its LTO form is regarded as poor (highlighted red form in column F indicates poor LTO form).
- Or you could follow one of the laying systems TForm, T14, tc, TBias 6, TBias 8.
This next example below shows how the ratings can help you avoid backing in competitive races, the zero negative rated runners and the strength of the biases indicate that a lay is more suitable for this type of rating.
| 10 | Runners | 73.10 | Avg Rating | |
| 0 | Negative Rated | 731 | Bias A | |
| 73.10 | Avg Rating | |||
| 731 | Bias B |
Again without seeing the actual ratings for each horse you can easily tell whether to look into a back or lay bet for the race, it will become second nature to check these. The above example clearly states it’s a competitive race, the only reason I would back in the race was if
- The top rated was 30+ clear of the second rated and had either blue form or a blue master rating.
- Rated in the top 3 and above the average and had both blue form and a blue master rating.
To sum up for these types of examples I would generally either look for a lay or simply avoid and move onto the next race.
These next examples show good backing opportunities.
| 16 | Runners | -4.69 | Avg Rating | |
| 8 | Negative Rated | -75 | Bias A | |
| 41.38 | Avg Rating | |||
| 331 | Bias B |
Without seeing the ratings you can determine half the field are not worth backing via the amount of negative rated.
I would have a back bet in the race because…
- Bias A is negative and preference is for a back bet.
- The Bias B average indicates to look for a horse rated above 41.38.
- Half the field is rated negative.
- A top rated blue form & blue master rating in this type of race do very well and for the place punter these are very profitable.
- If you had three or less rated above the bias B then look for tricasts, forecasts or dutching the top 3 rated.
