Royal Ascot - Ascot betting horse racing

Photograph by
John Cassidy

SPOTTING THE WINNER

Have you ever wondered what people are looking for when they flock to the parade ring to inspect the horses for the next race? You see them marking their cards and making notes. Have they spotted something others haven’t seen? Have they spotted a potential 50/1 winner? Well, probably. So what’s it all about?

Is the horse walking round the paddock with head bent, almost looking at the ground? This is not a good sign. Is the horse calm or agitated? Generally calmness is key to a relaxed ride to come.

Good muscle structure at the rear end (from the middle of the back downwards including the rump) is often a good sign. Then look down to the stomach. Is it lean? Can you see a bit (not too much of course) of rib cage? Then there’s the chest. Pronounced muscular show here is a sure indication of fitness.

Is the horse sweating profusely? Sometimes this can be a mark of unfitness although gentle sweating could mean the opposite. Gentle sweating can mean the horse is itching to get into the race and is keen to get going, so that can be a good a good sign. You will often notice that a horse subject to gentle sweating in the parade ring loses the sweat on the run down, which is a very good sign indeed.

However, all this needs to be combined with a knowledge of the horse, its form, its willingness to race, its keenness or attitude, its bravery, namely does it’s form indicate it has always driven itself beyond the call of duty?. Does it readily respond to the urging of the jockey?

If you know all that before you visit the parade ring you are more informed than most. It is no more than the detail you would have to go in to when running your own business, after all, money is still involved!

Brian Smith - 01344 621825
Escalator Marketing