Having been a trainer and driver of racehorses; having witnessed 1000’s of races over the course of the past 30 years, anything can occur before the race starts. With this knowledge, here are some tips that may assist you in making a good bet, while using your brains instead of your gut reaction.

Although ante-post racing has been a huge market with betters or punters, you should be very careful when placing your bet before race day. Here is my thought on this subject. I never bet on a horse before the horses warm up or parade. I want to see if the horse I am betting on is sound e.g. healthy, not lame on the track. Thoroughbred horse racing is completely different from standardbred horse racing. 

Thoroughbreds parade for approximately 10 minutes before the race. Watch for traits indicating lameness. Your horse should not exhibit any limping or favoritism to one leg. White foam, or sweat, observed on the horse’s neck is indicative of nervousness or the horse being “washed out.” Washed out is a term used for a horse that may not race well due to excessive nervousness. A positive indicator that you have a good horse to bet on occurs when the horse “empties out,” another term for “pooping” before the race. I find this to be an advantage, as the horse is relaxed and free of excessive bulk, thereby permitting him to run more quickly. 

Harness horse racing is different, as you are able to watch the contenders warm up. Typically the horses are warmed up 60 minutes before the actual race time. This is a perfect time to watch your horse travel around the track. You can see if they are limping or sore. If you observe any incongruence in their running pattern do not bet on them. 

An aspect to look for in both thoroughbreds and standardbreds, when determining your winning horse is, “equipment changes.” This alteration in equipment can change the way the horse runs that day. For example, if you see a horse go from blinkers to no blinkers, that horse may be prone to the distraction of his competitors and may try to outrun a horse when they see a competitor coming up, on the outside or inside of the track. There are so many variations of changes of equipment. The track must list equipment changes week to week. Make sure, if you are a serious better, that you check for changes and evaluate how this may alter the outcome of the race.

The last variance I would like to cover is track condition. Imagine you bet on a great horse that cannot lose, in your mind. On race day it rains and the track is muddy. This horse does not like the mud. Those betters who have followed the conditions as it pertains to their winning horse know about this disadvantage and pass on the horse. If you placed the bet days earlier, without this knowledge, you may have bet on a great horse that cannot triumph in mud. This great horse loses and you lose your money. You could have prevented this by not making your early bet. On the other hand, your identified winner may be a horse that loves the mud and under such conditions, may be your winner. You have no way of knowing this if you have not vetted your horse, checked the conditions, examined for equipment changes, and personally seen him parade or warm up. 

As you can see, I never bet ante-post for these reasons. A common adage which I frequently refer to is, “You can beat a race, but you cannot beat the races.” However, that has never stopped me from taking the time to exert my knowledge and pick my winner! Horse racing especially races like the Grand National are exciting events that combines skill, talent, and of course - Luck!

The two day William Hill Winter Festival is scheduled to take place At Kempton Park Racecourse on Boxing Day 26th December and Tuesday 27th December 2011 .  The racecourse, which is situated on the outskirts of London, will host the festive two day sporting extravaganza featuring some top class Jump racing.  After the excesses of the Christmas celebrations it’s a perfect way for family and friends to watch some thrilling outdoor action.  The event which attracts thousands of racing fans to the racecourse near Sunbury-on-Thames, is one of the highlights of the Jump racing season.  Seasoned racegoers and newcomers alike will thoroughly enjoy the amazing atmosphere and the chance to make the most of the Christmas Bank Holidays.

First time visitors to Kempton Park should not miss the memorial to one of the best loved race horses of all time, the legendary, Desert Orchid.  A life sized statue of him, stands by the side of the Parade Ring, where his ashes are interred and the Desert Orchid Steeple Chase memorial race is now an annual feature of the William Hill Winter Festival.  Amy Stark, the racecourses managing director said, “The William Hill Winter Festival at Kempton Park is as much a part of Christmas as turkey, mulled wine and mince pies.  Fans of the sport love Boxing Day at Kempton Park and especially the William Hill George V1 Chase, the showpiece race made so famous by the exploits of racehorse legends Desert Orchid and Kauto Star”.  The feature race on Boxing Day, the William Hill King George V1 Chase, with prize money of £180,000, it is one of the most valuable races of the Jump racing season.  The William Hill Desert Orchid Chase, in memory of the great grey who won so many races at the course, is the highlight of the second day.  In January 2011 at the rescheduled King George V1 Steeplechase, Long Run, put in a stunning performance to win ahead of Riverside Theatre and Kempton Park legend, Kauto Star.  Long Run should be back to defend his title this year but will face some stiff competition. 

Race goers already familiar with Kempton Park will see a great improvement in the facilities in the ground floor of the Main Grandstand.  The area has had a makeover during the summer months and now boasts a brand new Costa Coffee shop.  Visitors are well catered for with the ‘Kings of Kempton’ bars, the Italian Trattoria and plenty of relaxed seating areas which should ensure a more comfortable experience than ever before.  If you’re a jump racing fan, or just like the idea of a breath of fresh air and some sporting excitement after the Christmas festivities, Kempton Park will provide a memorable days entertainment.  As the Winter Festival is so popular, pre-booking is advised, plenty of good value packages are available from the racecourse.  Kempton Park Racecourse has teamed up with online Eclipse Magazine, [who focus on the social side of racing], to give two lucky readers a PAIR of Paddock admission tickets to the William Hill Winter Festival.  A pair of tickets for both days, are up for grabs, with a simple entry form available at www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk

With the Grand National well and truly over for another year, thoughts turn to the other big races in the UK. Summer in England normally means flat racing, whilst I’m not the biggest fan for the flat scene it still holds my interest until the National Hunt jump season restarts in full.

The next major flat race is the Derby from Epsom, this year all eye’s are on the Queens runner -  Carlton House. The Queen will be taking nothing for granted. As she famously witnessed her mother’s horse Devon Loch collapse just yards from the finishing post in the Grand National in 1956.

You can get the very latest live horse racing odds from all the major races from www.horseracingodds.me.uk.