Horse Racing FAQ

horse racing faq

What is ‘nap’ in horse racing?

A ‘nap’ in horse racing is the single horse which a tipster (a person who provides betting advice) considers to be the best bet of the day.

Is horse racing fixed?

There is always a lot of concern as to whether horse racing is fixed. This is most likely due to their being a lot fixed races throughout it’s early history. However, it has not been this way for many decades. There is a lot of monitoring from the regulators on betting patterns through the betting exchanges, as well as monitoring of certain individuals who they consider may threaten horse racing. For most people involved in horse racing, there is too much cost associated with fixing horse racing and they will benefit significantly more by not playing by the rules.

Of course, there will always be some people who try, and they will always be caught out with modern surveillance. There are so few attempts that it is not something horse racing bettors need to worry about.

If you want to understand the grey areas and spot the real red flags, here’s the full truth about racing integrity.

What is a bumper horse race?

A bumper horse race is a horse race that is run over flat ground without jumps. However, despite being raced on flat ground, it uses the rules of Jump racing. The aim is to give horses that have never raced on flat ground the experience of racing on flat ground. A hors that has previously raced on flat ground is not eligible to enter a bumper horse race.

Bumper races do not use starting stalls, like flat races do, they start from behind elasticated tape like other jump racing.

What is back and lay in betting?

A back bet is a bet that is for a horse to come in first position or a place position if betting in the place markets.

A lay bet is a bet that is for a horse to not come in first position or a place position if betting in the place market.

What does ‘pulled up’ mean in horse racing?

When a horse is ‘pulled up’ in horse racing it means that the jockey has decided that he is going to take the horse out of the race for the safety of the horse.

What does ‘RPR’ mean in horse racing?

The RPR is a rating made by the Racing Post and called the Racing Post Rating (RPR). It is a handicap rating compiled by the Racing Post handicapper, and is adjusted for the weight the horse is carrying that day.

What does ‘pu’ mean in horse racing?

When you see ‘pu’ in horse racing, this means that the horse was pulled up by the jockey.

Why are the Race Advisor horse racing tips different?

We recommend that you use our FMFR Method on all our tips (or anybody else’s). It’s a free horse racing method you can get here.  So far we’ve never seen anybody succeed in horse racing if they don’t understand themselves as a bettor first. I do believe you can find a tipster that will work for you where you simply place every suggested bet, if you have the detailed knowledge of what type of bettor you are, because you will be able to search for a tipster who’s process fits with your own betting profile. If you get alignment, it’s possible to make profit from them. Without that I believe that any bettor will be constantly jumping from one tipster to another and not understanding why it’s not working for them, this can be prevented by using the FMFR Method with any potential horse racing tips.

What is a Tote Placepot?

The Tote Placepot is a pool bet where you pick a placed horse in each of the first six races at a single meeting. If all your selections place, you win a share of the total pot. It’s low risk, high potential—and perfect for people who want skin in the game across a full card. You can read the full Placepot strategy and how to play it smart in this detailed guide.

What type of punter are you?

Reckless dreamer? Calculated strategist? Somewhere in between? Knowing your punter type reveals more than you think. It affects your results, your mindset, and your long-term success. Explore the different types of punters and find out where you stand in this revealing breakdown.

What is dutching horses?

Dutching means backing more than one horse in the same race to guarantee the same profit, no matter which one wins. It sounds complex, but when done right, it turns chaos into control. Learn how to calculate Dutch bets and turn volatility into profit in this guide to smart staking.

What does Back and Lay mean in betting?

Backing is betting on a horse to win. Laying is betting against it, usually on the exchanges. It’s a shift in mindset from gambler to trader, and opens the door to more flexible strategies. Discover how to use Back and Lay bets to manage risk and find hidden value.

What is a speed rating?

A speed rating tells you how fast a horse actually ran, factoring in distance, going, and track. It’s one of the most powerful ways to spot overlooked winners, especially when everyone else is fixated on form. Here’s how to use speed ratings without needing to be a maths genius.

What is horse racing class?

Class is the level of competition. When a horse drops in class, it’s often facing weaker rivals. When it steps up, it’s swimming with sharks. Class movements can be subtle, but they often determine outcomes. Get the full breakdown of race classes and how to use them to your advantage.

What do we use ratings for in horse racing?

Ratings simplify chaos. They help you compare horses who’ve never raced against each other, across different tracks and conditions. They’re not predictions, they’re tools. But in the right hands, they’re razor-sharp. This article explains exactly how to read, compare, and apply ratings in real-world betting.

Can you win by laying the favourite in horse racing

Absolutely. But don’t just lay favourites blindly. The trick is knowing when the market’s overconfident. When everyone’s piling on the wrong horse, laying becomes the smart, contrarian move. We cover the most profitable times to lay favourites in this focused guide.

Does headgear improve a horses chance of winning?

Sometimes yes. Sometimes it’s a last roll of the dice. Blinkers, visors, and hoods are designed to help focus or settle a horse, but context is key. Not all gear changes are created equal. This headgear explainer walks you through what’s worth noting and what to ignore.

What is value betting?

Value betting is the cornerstone of winning. You’re not just looking for winners, you’re looking for bets where the odds are better than the true chance. That’s how you beat the market over time. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to spotting value, and why most people get it wrong.

Why is Van Der Wheil so popular and who is he?

Ernie Van Der Wheil created one of the most respected horse rating systems in UK racing. It’s stood the test of time because it’s logical, simple to apply, and based on solid fundamentals. You can learn the principles and see why Van Der Wheil still matters in this full breakdown.


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