How to read a racecard
A racecard packs a great deal into very little space, and most of it is abbreviated. Once you know what the columns mean it reads quickly.
The race header
Above the runners you get the race itself: the off time and course, the race name, its class or grade, the distance in miles and furlongs, the going, the number of runners and the prize money. A furlong is an eighth of a mile, so a race described as 1m 4f is a mile and a half.
The going describes the ground, running from firm through good to heavy. Many horses have a clear preference, which is why it is one of the first things a tipster mentions.
Form figures
The string of characters before a horse's name is its recent form, with the most recent run on the right. This is the part that confuses newcomers most often.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
1–9 | Finishing position |
0 | Finished outside the first nine |
P or PU | Pulled up |
F | Fell |
U or UR | Unseated rider |
B or BD | Brought down by another horse |
R | Refused |
– | Separates one season from the next |
/ | A longer absence, often a missed season |
So 4/2131 describes a horse that finished fourth, was then off for a long spell, and since returning has come second, first, third and first. The gap matters: a horse back from a year away is a different proposition from one in regular work.
The runner's line
| Item | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Saddlecloth number | Identifies the horse during the race |
| Draw, in brackets | Starting stall on the flat. On some courses and distances an inside or outside draw is a real advantage |
| Age | Years old, which matters in races open to several age groups |
| Weight | Stones and pounds, written like 9-07. In a handicap the better horses carry more |
| Jockey and trainer | Often with the claim an apprentice jockey takes off the weight |
| OR | Official rating, the handicapper's assessment of ability |
Headgear
A letter after the horse's name means it is wearing something intended to help it concentrate. First-time headgear is worth noticing, because it usually means the trainer thinks something needs fixing.
| Letter | Headgear |
|---|---|
b | Blinkers |
v | Visor |
p | Cheekpieces |
h | Hood |
t | Tongue tie |
e | Eye shield or eye cover |
Once the card makes sense, the next thing to understand is how tipsters are judged on it — see naps tables.