| Many horse racing enthusiasts like to place bets | | | | means that if your horse is withdrawn you will get |
| on the ante-post market. For big races the | | | | your money back. If you bet each way providing |
| bookmakers will often start accepting bets as | | | | there are enough runners when you place your |
| much as a year before the actual race dates. The | | | | bet no matter how many go to the post you will |
| big advantage of this for the punter is that they | | | | be entitled to full place money. |
| can normally get much bigger odds than they | | | | Bookmakers claim that they make very little |
| would nearer the date. | | | | money from the ante-post market and run it |
| Obviously there is also a certain amount of risk | | | | mainly for the publicity and this may be true. If it |
| involved in this strategy because there can be no | | | | is so this must represent one of the best value |
| certainty that the selection will hold its form or | | | | betting mediums around. Never the less the |
| stay fit enough to actually run in the race. | | | | punter is very much backing blind to the extent |
| However the opportunity of backing a horse at | | | | that they do not know what the going is likely to |
| 33/1 in the winter when there is a good likelihood | | | | be on the day of the race. This can have a |
| of it being nearer 3 or 4 to one on race day is | | | | material effect upon the result. In flat races it is |
| irresistible for many people. | | | | not only the going that is uncertain but also the |
| Not all ante-post bets are that long term and the | | | | draw. In some of the Group races with a large |
| ante-post market usually remains open until the | | | | field the draw can be critical and a horse with a |
| day before the race. The big drawback with | | | | poor draw no matter what is ability will struggle. |
| ante-post bets that if your horse gets withdrawn | | | | One option is to place an ante post bet on your |
| from the race for whatever reason you will have | | | | fancy some months before the race and then |
| lost your money. However, even if this happens | | | | assuming the price has fallen which it normally will |
| you should hold on to your betting slip because if | | | | place a lay bet on the exchange on the day of |
| the race is abandoned, and this is not unusual in | | | | the race. This way you can ensure being a winner |
| the winter then you would get your stake back. | | | | whatever happens to your horse. The only risk is |
| There are some book makers who will accept | | | | that the horse does not run in the race. |
| ante-post bets on "with a run" terms which | | | | |