Welcome to ante-post horse racing betting at BoyleSports, giving you the chance to bet on top horse races up to months in advance. Read on to discover what ante-post betting is, how it works, the key strategies, potential risks, and the major events available for future bets.
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What is Ante-Post in Horse Racing?
Ante-post betting means placing a wager on a horse race long before the final field of runners is confirmed and declared. These markets often open months in advance of the races in question, giving bettors a chance to lock in early odds and prices before they shift, based on form, market movement and injuries. Often, you can secure higher value odds with ante-post betting, compared to the Starting Price (SP) of the horse at the time of the race.
Ante-post betting is very popular for big events such as the Cheltenham Festival and the Irish Grand National. Usually, the cut-off point for an ante-post bet is when the final declarations are made, which is often 48 hours before major races.
How does Ante-Post Betting Work?
With ante-post horse racing betting, you choose a horse before the official racecard has been declared by the race organisers. The odds available at the time of placing the ante-post bet are subsequently locked in, meaning that even if the price happens to shorten or increase closer to the day of the race, you will still retain the odds of your original selection.
Several different factors actually influence ante-post horse racing betting markets, with race performances being one of the most notable ones. Should a runner have a strong showing in any preparatory races leading up to the main event, the odds of the runners may be reduced due to these horse racing results. If any trainer or jockeys are confirmed for an event, this often sees their horse entries attract betting interest, something that may alter market odds. The same goes for any injury news or withdrawals, as a reduced number of participants can affect the odds too.
It is worth noting that, with all these contributory factors, many ante-post horse racing betting markets still offer each-way options. Even if the horse finishes within a number of specified positions, this could potentially still result in a return of the original bet. Despite this, the number of places covered in the ante-post bet may differ from race day terms. So it’s always something worth bearing in mind.
Ante-Post Betting Tips: When to Place your Bet
When placing an ante-post bet on a horse race, it helps to
1. Conduct thorough research: Look for clues in a horse’s recent form. A notable spike in performance can signal a good opportunity to lock in a price.
2. Analyse the early favourites: When betting on horses that appear to be generational talents, betting early (even 12 months in advance) can be a valid strategy if you're confident they will remain a favourite for the race.
3. Be tactical when it comes to placing your bet: There’s no single "right" time to place an ante-post bet, but your decision should be based on sound logic and meticulous research, weighing the risk of a non-runner against the potential value in the odds.
Understanding Ante-Post Risks
The biggest risk with an ante-post bet is that if your horse doesn’t end up running in the race, you lose your stake. This is the trade-off for getting better odds.
But, at BoyleSports, we do offer a No Runner No Bet (NRNB) promotion on many of the major horse races in the calendar, whereby you get your stake back on an ante-post bet if your horse doesn’t run. Check out our latest horse racing offers to see if we have an NRNB promotion on your chosen race.
When betting ante-post on horse racing, it’s also helpful to understand Rule 4 deductions.
If a horse is set to run in a race and subsequently withdraws, a Rule 4 deduction will come into play. This is an industry-standard adjustment made to winnings on horse races when a horse is withdrawn after a bet has been placed at a fixed price. It ensures fairness in the betting market as the remaining horses have an increased chance of winning once one has been removed from the race.
One of the benefits of ante-post bets is that they are not subject to Rule 4 deductions, meaning the price you locked in is protected.
Ante-Post Horse Racing Odds
Since ante-post horse racing odds can change drastically over time, it’s possible to track market trends over time. This may highlight good value selections well ahead of time, especially if the price of a selection is higher than it would usually be for a runner on race day. As the event draws closer, the ante-post odds will often reduce quickly as more development comes to light, with odds typically being at their highest as soon as the ante-post horse racing markets become available.
What Type of Races Are Available For Ante-Post Horse Racing Betting?
Most major horse racing meetings – particularly the prestigious ones with high-profile contenders – have ante-post options, including:
1. The Cheltenham Festival: The pinnacle of the National Hunt season, with ante-post odds available for all 28 races, including the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
2. The Grand National: The world's most famous steeplechase at Aintree Racecourse, where fans try to predict which horse will conquer the iconic 30 fences.
3. Royal Ascot: A premier flat racing festival and all about the royal prestige, with the Royal Ascot Gold Cup being a highlight for ante-post betting.
4. The Classics: You’ll find ante-post odds at BoyleSports for other famous flat races like the Epsom Derby and the St Leger at Doncaster, which is part of the English Triple Crown.
How to Place an Ante-Post Bet
It’s simple to place an ante-post bet with BoyleSports.
Step 1: Log in and navigate to the 'Horse Racing' section on our sports betting platform.
Step 2: Find and click on the 'Future' or 'Ante-Post' tab to see all available markets.
Step 3: Browse the list of major events, such as the Cheltenham Festival or Grand National, and select a race.
Step 4: Click the odds next to your chosen horse to add it to your betslip, enter your stake, and confirm the bet.
Ante-Post Horse Racing Betting At BoyleSports
From the Cheltenham Festival and Grand National to Royal Ascot and the Epsom Derby, you’ll find competitive ante-post odds on the top horse races with BoyleSports.
Sign up to BoyleSports and check out our latest ante-post horse racing odds.
Gamble Responsibly on Ante-Post Racing
We have a selection of safer gambling resources at BoyleSports. Discover how to manage your bankroll and set a budget before submitting your ante-post bets, as well as considering taking a break from betting. For further information on responsible gambling, head to BeGambleAware.org or GamCare.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main advantage of an ante-post bet?
The main advantage of an ante-post bet is that you can lock in your odds well in advance of the race. Usually, you can secure higher value odds with an ante-post bet, compared to the Starting Price (SP) of the horse at the time of the race.
What happens if my horse doesn't run in an ante-post bet?
If your horse doesn’t run in an ante-post bet, you will lose your stake. Look for No Runner No Bet (NRNB) promotions where your stake is returned to you if your horse doesn’t run.
When does ante-post betting typically close?
Ante-post betting typically closes when the final declarations are made. This is often 48 hours before major races.
Are there any exceptions to the non-runner rule in ante-post betting?
One of the main exceptions to the non-runner rule in ante-post betting is a No Runner No Bet (NRNB) promotion. With this offer, your stake is returned to you if your horse doesn’t run.
Where can I find ante-post odds?
You can find ante-post odds for all the top races right here with BoyleSports. Our ante-post odds often open months in advance for some of the top races, including the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
