Should I Study The Form?

Horse racing makes a fun day out.

Who knows, you may even win a few quid.

Happy days.

But here’s the question: ‘Should I study the form?’

As the maxim goes: ‘Knowledge is power.’

It’s true for horse racing. Perhaps you rely on good, old-fashioned luck. It only goes so far!

Now, you wouldn’t expect to beat a seasoned pro with an ounce of luck. It doesn’t make sense. And part of your understanding of horse racing should be that the layer (the bookie who takes your bet) thinks they know a little more than you.

Perhaps they do, perhaps they don’t.

It’s one reason why you should increase your knowledge and expertise.

The best aspect of gambling on horse racing is the fact it’s skill based. Unlike playing roulette, slot machines or many and varied games that are fixed odds. If you play those long enough you are, sadly, guaranteed to lose.

Not skill-based games.

But how do you study the form?

I remember someone asking: ‘Why do you only bet on two-year-old horse racing?’

I answered: ‘Because there isn’t enough time to do everything.’

You don’t need to know everything about everything. It’s pointless and unwarranted. You simply need to know a little bit more than most. Know your subject better than Joe Bloggs and you will be ahead of the game. In betting terms, that means you have the layers on the ropes. No, you don’t need to bet on boxing.

It is important to remember that most punters don’t like hard work. It sounds a cruel statement but, for most, it’s a fact. The world and his wife are looking for the get-rich-quick scheme. Search Google and it’s called The Secret Sauce!

Here are my thoughts about studying the form to its best.

• Firstly, pick your niche. It could be anything. It many be a certain age group of horse, trainer, owners or breeding line. The important part is to make sure you study this subject with a passion. It will be the key to your success.

• Study your subject matter by digging a little deeper than most. Watch race reviews, collect your own data, understand what makes both a winner and loser. Each are trying to tell you the answer to a question. Listen!

• Your journey will follow a long and winding path. Don’t settle for a quick fix, cutting corners, feeling there must be an easier way to success. That’s what losers think. You have to go above and beyond the starting line. It is only by working hard you will appreciate the next questions to be answered. These answers bring you closer to riches.

• At the end of each year, review your performance (yes, like a horse). Learn from your experiences.

• You have what is takes if you are willing to learn.

Horse racing is a fascinating subject but it takes time to achieve a standard of competence.