HORSE ABILITY/FORM
How Ratings are compiled
Pounds per length scale for good ground on the flat.
| 5 furlongs | 3.5lb |
| 6 furlongs | 3lb |
| 8 furlongs | 2lb |
| 10 furlongs | 1.7lb |
| 12 furlongs | 1.5lb |
| 14 furlongs | 1.3lb |
| 16 furlongs | 1lb |
It is important to understand how ratings are compiled when betting on a handicap race. The objective of the handicapper is to try and make each horse have an equal chance in the race by penalising a horses weight accordingly based on perceived ability. Obviously this is impossible to get exactly right and the handicapper uses a set of guidelines to help assess a horses adjusted rating. Races are usually updated the morning after a race. The handicapper looks at a solid 'marker' in a race, a horse that is perceived to have run up to it's full ability under the conditions and has gone close to winning. He next implements a Pounds-per-length scale which is calculated by counting the number of lengths a horse is positioned in-front or behind the 'marker'. Finally the handicapper calculates the horses new rating. I have included a table which shows a pounds per length scale for good ground on the flat. This is the basic principle behind official ratings but it is important to remember that this is only a guide and other factors do come into it. For example has a horse been eased in a race and was this obvious enough to be detected.
The Form Card Explained
NORFOLK NELSON MUSEUM SELLING STAKES (CLASS 6) (3yo) Winner £1,943.10 1m3f101y SOFT
Number in brackets states stall position
TYPES OF HEADGEAR
b - Blinkered
p - Cheekpieces
t - Tonguestrap
v - Visor
Race description, including class, age range, prize money, distance and ground conditions.
This states that the horse raced 17 days ago over jumps.
| No | Form | Horse | Trainer | Age | Weight | Jockey |
| 1(7) | 091061 | Vietnam 13 | G A Huffer | 3 | 9-5b | Jamie Spencer |
| 2(2) | 0- | Iron Dancer 34 | P A Blockley | 3 | 8-12b1 | T P O´Shea |
| 3(4) | 308 (17J) | Lap Of The Gods 308 (17J) | Miss Z C Davison | 3 | 8-12 | Adrian McCarthy |
| 4(1) | 906762 | Etoile D´Or 13 | M H Tompkins | 3 | 8-7 | Jimmy Quinn |
| 5(6) | 8667-4 | Fasuby 15 | P D Evans | 3 | 8-7 | T G McLaughlin |
| 6(3) | 000860 | First Frost 13 | M J Gingell | 3 | 8-7 | Stephen Donohoe |
| 7(5) | 560008 | Full Of Grace 25 | M G Quinlan | 3 | 8-7b1 | Jamie Jones(5) |
Any headgear worn by the horse is listed after the race weight. b1 states that the horse is blinkered for the first time.
Most recent results - (latest listed last)
This states that the jockey claims 5lb off the horses race weight. Weight allowances are allocated to Amateur and Apprentice jockeys.
States when the horse last ran on the flat.
