Templegate's tips on how to find a winner in horse racing

RACING is all about finding winners.

But it can be difficult to tell one horse from another even at the best of times.

Fortunately, Sun Racing's top tipster Templegate has revealed the top techniques he uses below.

We can't promise a winner… but here's some tricks of the trade to give yourself the best chance of finding one.

1 Horses for courses… and races

It's important to remember that when placing a bet on a horse - you are doing it for THIS race only.

That might sound obvious but the 'horses for courses' saying is true for a reason.

Look for a horse who is proven on the ground today and likes the distance of this race. They are probably the two most important form factors.

Recent form tends to be the strongest so horses that have run well lately in similar races are worth focusing on.

2 In-form trainers

Trainers operate at a 'strike rate' - for example, if they have had 20 runners in the past week and ten winners, then that's an impressive 50 per cent strike rate.

If they have a runner you fancy, that boosts confidence.

The same goes for 'Job Jockeys' when trainers and riders have a good record together.

And in jumps racing, the biggest yards tend to have the best horses. Simple but true.

3 Numbers game

Not a sin to back more than one runner in a race.

After all, if you put money on one horse in a 14-runner field, the bookie has the other 13 running for them!

Or you can back your fancy each-way which means you are backing your horse to win or be placed.

You generally get a fifth of the odds if your horse is placed or one and a fifth of the odds if it wins. Sometimes it’s a quarter the odds but most bookies these days offer a fifth.

In a race of five to seven runners, you have to finish first or second.

From eight to 15 it’s the first three and 16-plus is generally the first four. But lots of bookies offer extra places in big races so look out for those.

Although they usually offer shorter odds so it's not always a good idea.

If you had £5 each-way on a 5-1 shot you would stake £10. A win would return £40 or a place would return £10. So I would only back each-way at 6-1 or bigger.

4 Judging form

The higher class of racing, the more reliable the form.

Better horses running in better races tend to be more consistent and you can be more confident when backing them.

5 Ignore ‘inside info’

I have seen hundreds of so-called 'good things' turned over down the years.

Don't forget, several yards in the same race can have been plotting one up.

In the long-term, you will never win that way. Use your own judgement – and it feels better when you back a winner you’ve found yourself.

6 Use your eyes

If you’re at the races, go and have a look at the runners in the parade ring before the off.

There are no hard and fast rules but generally if a horse looks edgy and is jig-jogging around it is wasting energy and that’s usually a negative.

A dull coat can also be a worry. You’re looking for a horse that looks nice and alert and is taking in its surroundings without getting too excited.

Remember to gamble responsibly

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed