Key Points
- Track conditions and their impact on a horse’s performance
- The layout of the track and why it will suit some horses and not others
- Course and distance (C&D) form is a key factor, especially at quirkier tracks
I’m often asked about the saying ‘horses for courses’. Not just what it means, but in terms of how a racecourse can affect the performance of a horse, and in turn, its chances of winning. In today’s article, I’ll be explaining the various reasons for that.
If you haven’t already, be sure to check out my other educational articles, which include a
guide to the UK handicap system, and a
guide to National Hunt racing. As the resident horse racing expert here at Betting.co.uk, I also provide four betting tips each week, which range from daily tips to fun multiples and antepost picks.
Before we get started, do you have a BetMGM account?
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Horses for courses - understanding track bias
The phrase ‘Horses for Courses’ is a well-known English idiom that’s frequently used to describe suitability for a task. According to the Collin’s Dictionary it’s
“said to mean different people are suitable for different things or kinds of situations, and this ought to be taken into account when making choices in particular cases”.
A rather clunky definition largely used in relation to suitability for a job role.
However, the fact that the saying finds its origins in horse racing is made much clearer by the Oxford English Dictionary:
“a theory that each racehorse is suited to a particular race-course, and will do better on that course than on any other”. And that’s exactly what I’ll be discussing in today’s article.
Setting aside any discussion of different track surfaces, I’m focusing on Turf here as varying track conditions have a huge impact on how a horse will perform. For example, speedy, light-footed types will skip across a quick surface, whereas big strong horses with a high knee action will perform better with softer conditions. Conversely, a speedy, light-footed type won’t do well on Heavy going, they’ll struggle to perform, and the same goes for the big strong types on Firm going.
Obviously, the weather plays a huge part when it comes to ground conditions, but there are underlying factors at some racecourses too. Bath racecourse is a good example of what I mean by that. Bath is the highest Flat racecourse in the UK. It is situated on a hill 780 feet above sea level. As a result, they are unable to water the track. Between the lack of watering and the elevated position of the track, you’ll often see Firm, or Good to Firm, going at Bath, even if they’ve had some rain. Of course, if it rains substantially, it can be softer, but as a general rule, if you have a horse that likes firmer ground, Bath is an ideal venue!
There are various ways to determine which conditions a horse performs best on. The first and easiest way is to look at its form. If a horse has won multiple races and/or produced its best performances on Firm going, it is almost certainly best-suited to fast conditions. There are other clues to be found in a horse’s pedigree, its run action, and comments made by its trainer or jockey. Checking that the horse you’re backing can (or at least should) cope with the track conditions for the race it's running in is a vital first step.
The layout of the track and why it suits some horses and not others
While track conditions are important, the track layout is also a key consideration. This includes several factors including the physical layout of the track, its turns and/or gradients, and whether it is left- or right-handed. On the latter point, horses naturally ‘lead’ with one foreleg, just as people are right- or left-handed, and the direction of the track can influence how well they run. A horse that naturally leads with its left foreleg will fare better on a left-handed track, being more balanced around the turns and finding it easier to maintain an even stride.
In terms of physical layout, I’ll use Catterick as an example. This is a left-handed course with sharp turns, undulations, and downhill sections. Catterick typically suits speedy, well balanced horses. Big, long-strided horses can often find everything happening too fast here, and are unable to perform well as a result. You then have tracks like Ascot and Sandown, which both have stiff uphill finishes, making them a real stamina test for the horses. This often swings races in favour of the bigger and stronger horses who can finish their races powerfully. At these tracks you’ll often see horses travelling well, and looking fantastic, until they get to the finish, where they often crumble.
For National Hunt racing, even more factors come into play. Not just the fact that there are obstacles to jump, where they are placed can also have an impact. A prime example of this was seen when
I tipped Jasmin De Vaux to win the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle
at the Cheltenham Festival. This race took place on the New Course at Cheltenham, where there is only one hurdle to jump in the last 7f. Jasmin De Vaux has a huge engine, but he isn’t the best jumper, so this was a huge advantage for him!
As you can see, the course itself can massively influence how well a horse will perform. In turn, finding a horse with decent course form is a huge plus point, and something you should always look out for. The positive aspect of course and distance form is also amplified at certain tracks, especially those which are quirkier than most.
Brighton is a classic example, as it’s one of the few courses that doesn’t have a full circuit. Instead it has an undulating, horseshoe‐shaped track featuring a climb to the finish, with the winning post marking the highest point on the course. To make it even more quirky, the runners must cross a road, which is covered with mats to allow the horses to gallop across the tarmac. As it’s a fairly busy road, there is a level crossing, like you would typically see for train tracks, which is active on race days, for driving across the track between races. As a result of its quirks, Brighton is a very Marmite track, and horses either love it or hate it, so previous course form becomes even more important.
As you have seen, while some tracks are very ‘fair’ and suit most runners, others are completely the opposite. The fact that a horse has course form may not always be an advantage, but it’s rarely a negative. However, a horse that doesn’t have any course form is not a positive factor, and can definitely be a negative. But either way, just because a horse has previous winning form at a particular racecourse it doesn’t automatically mean it will win there again.
Using track bias to improve your betting success
Whilst the racecourse a horse is running at is important, it’s just one of many variables that will impact on its performance in any particular race. Even a horse that loves a certain track won’t perform if the trip, or ground conditions are wrong. There are several other factors that also affect performance - whether the horse is fully fit, in good or bad form, well handicapped and so on. Similarly, if the opposition is too strong, or better handicapped than your horse, it doesn’t matter how much it enjoys the course, it won’t win! So it’s far more complex than just finding a horse with course form to be successful with your betting.
I highly recommend doing some research into each course before you place any bets. Thanks to the internet it’s easy to find this information, and you’ll quickly get to know each course well. While the course itself isn’t the only factor you should focus on, it’s definitely an important piece of the puzzle when deciding which horses to back. At the end of the day, taking track bias into account won’t mean you win every time, but using it can certainly improve your betting decisions.
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