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News and explainers from the world of horse racing: how to bet on the big races, how the sport works, and straight answers to the questions racing fans ask most. Browse by topic in How-to guides or Racing questions answered.

Ante Post Betting Explained: Rules, Non Runner No Bet and Rule 4Ante post betting explained: what it is, when the markets close, non runner no bet, whether Rule 4 applies, each way terms, with worked examples and real maths.2 October 2026
Best Odds Guaranteed: What BOG Means and How It WorksBest odds guaranteed explained: how BOG pays the bigger of your price and the SP, early and board prices, start times, each way, Rule 4, multiples and exclusions.2 October 2026
Betting Odds Explained: How Do Betting Odds Work?Betting odds explained: how fractional, decimal and American odds work, how to calculate returns, odds on vs odds against, evens, and a table of common prices.2 October 2026
Dead Heat Rules in Betting: How Bookies Pay a Dead HeatDead heat rules explained: how bookies pay out when horses tie, with worked examples for win, each way, doubles, Rule 4, forecasts, Tote pools and golf.2 October 2026
How Many Furlongs in a Mile? Furlongs, Miles and Race DistancesHow many furlongs in a mile? Eight. How long a furlong is in yards and metres, a full conversion table, why racing uses furlongs and how racecards write distances.2 October 2026
National Hunt Racing Explained: Jumps vs FlatNational Hunt racing explained: hurdles, chases and bumpers, how jumps racing differs from the Flat, the season, the big meetings and how betting on jumps works.2 October 2026
What Is a Stewards' Enquiry in Horse Racing?A stewards enquiry explained: why the stewards review a race, how interference changes placings, objections, whip rules, and how bets are settled after the result.2 October 2026
What Is an Accumulator Bet? Accas ExplainedWhat is an accumulator? How an acca bet works, worked examples, non-runners, each way accas, acca insurance and why the bookmaker's margin grows with every leg.2 October 2026
Horse Racing Terms: A Glossary of Racing and Betting JargonHorse racing terms explained: a plain-English glossary of over 100 racing and betting words, from nap and NB to the going, race classes, margins and bookies' slang.1 October 2026
How To Read Horse Racing FormHow to read horse racing form: what the form figures and letters mean, how to read a racecard line by line, the ratings, headgear codes and a checklist.1 October 2026
Placepot Explained: How the Tote Placepot WorksPlacepot explained: how the Tote Placepot works, the place terms, the non-runner rule, what a perm costs and how to work out your return from the dividend.1 October 2026
Tote Jackpot Explained: How the Jackpot Bet WorksTote Jackpot explained: pick six winners from one pool, the non-runner and abandoned-leg rules, the 29% deduction, carry-forwards and what a Jackpot perm costs.1 October 2026
What Does SP Mean in Horse Racing?What does SP mean in horse racing? The starting price explained: how the SP is returned, favourite markers, SP vs taking a price, Rule 4 and the Betfair SP.1 October 2026
What Is an Each Way Bet?What is an each way bet? How the win and place halves work, UK place terms, extra places, each way doubles, Rule 4 and dead heats, with worked examples.1 October 2026
What Is Lay Betting?What is lay betting? How backing and laying work on a betting exchange, how to work out liability and commission, and the real risks of laying horses to lose.1 October 2026
Can Horse Trainers Bet on Races?Yes, in most places trainers can back their own horses to win, but they can never bet against them. The rules for trainers, owners and jockeys in the UK and US.20 May 2023
Does Horse Racing Get Cancelled in the Rain?Rain rarely stops horse racing on its own. How tracks in the UK and US decide to race, delay or abandon, real examples, and what happens to your bets.20 May 2023
How To Bet A TrifectaHow to bet a trifecta: what it is, how much a $1 or $2 trifecta costs, how boxes and keys work, how trifecta payouts are worked out, and how to pick one.20 May 2023
How To Bet On The Grand NationalHow to bet on the Grand National at Aintree: online, by app, by phone or in cash, whether to bet each way, extra places, minimum stakes and recent winners.20 May 2023
How To Bet On The PreaknessHow to bet on the Preakness Stakes: where and when it's run, how to place a wager, win, place, show and exotic bets, and how pari-mutuel odds and payouts work.20 May 2023
Is Horse Racing Ethical or Cruel?Is horse racing ethical or cruel? The welfare record in numbers, the case on each side, and what racing in the UK and US has changed to make the sport safer.20 May 2023
Is Horse Racing Fixed?Is horse racing fixed? Real cheating cases do happen, but racing is heavily policed. The proven cases, who catches cheats in the UK and US, and what it means for bettors.20 May 2023
What Is A Handicap Horse Race?What is a handicap horse race? How official ratings set the weights, how handicaps differ from novice, stakes and weight-for-age races, and how to read one.20 May 2023
What is the Biggest Horse Race in the World?The biggest horse race in the world depends on how you measure it. The richest races by prize money, the most famous by history and crowds, and key facts on each.20 May 2023
Will Horse Racing Ever Be Banned?Will horse racing ever be banned? Where bans have actually happened, why a full ban in the UK or US looks unlikely, and how welfare reform is changing the sport.20 May 2023