Ante post betting involves markets on major future sporting events, typically significant horse races such as the Derby. It gives punters the opportunity to find a potential big race winner from perhaps its performance in a trials event, and get very healthy price in the future significant event. You are not only betting on the horse’s performance in the significant event, you are also betting on it taking part in the race in the first place because with ante post betting non-runners are losing bets.
Bookmakers generally lose on ante post betting markets and run them for publicity and because their customers demand them. The converse of this is that there is serious money to be made by the studious punter in ante post betting. Choosing one of next year’s Classic winners from 100 potential horses months before the event is not the daunting task it sounds, and a careful selection now could have you on the favourite at 25/1 in six month’s time.
Points to consider when selecting a horse in an ante post market are:
BREEDING Horses are bred to specialise in different distances. Look for form lines to previous winners of the race.
OWNER Particular owners want to win certain races, and buy horses with an eye to these events. Research the owner’s history in the event. Monitor any ownership changes.
AUCTION PRICES Look for what the horse cost as a yearling at auction. Obviously high priced yearlings have the ability to win high-class races.
TRAINER Like owners, certain trainers specialise in certain races (Ginger McCain and the National.) Look at the trainer’s race record. Also certain trainers and owners have calls on certain jockeys. Consider that if your selections runs in the race who the jockey is likely to be, and what is that jockey’s race record.
TRIALS AND FORM RACES. No horse just starts its career in a classic race. It will have a programme of events leading up to it. Some of those races will be “trials” intended to see how the horse is likely to perform in the main event, others will be races traditionally good indicators of the big event, (The Dante Stakes for the Derby.) Obviously if your choice performs well in one of these races, its ante post price will shorten.
TIME OF YEAR OF THE RACE. Horses tend to run better at particular times of the year. If your selection won a race in the same month as the big event last season, that is a positive.
Ante post market change and are repriced regularly. Remember that you can’t put an ante post price in a double with the same horse to win an earlier trial. If it wins the trial its price in the ante post market will be cut. Having struck your ante post bet you should check that market regularly:
*If the market price shortens over that you took then that should be a confidence builder. It is also an opportunity to “lay off” some of your potential winning on other contenders, and still make a good profit on the bet if you find the winner.
*If it goes out, that is a negative and you might consider making another choice.
Generally, as other entrants are withdrawn injured or become less likely to take part, then the ante post price of the remaining runners will shorten. This creates opportunities for laying off, particularly if your previous betting choice has shortened significantly.
Nearer the event the market will cease to become ante post, and normal non-runner rules will apply. Prices available will shorten to reflect this.
Ante post betting offers interesting profit opportunities for the studious bettor. Research can yield potential winners at very good returns. Interest will be maintained as the market changes, and the number of entrants drops. Nothing is as satisfying as watching a horse win the Derby at odds on, when you have a 25/1 ticket in your hand placed 3 months ago.
