Can anyone find me a guide or explain how to use a form guide in the papers or on the race card at a meeting?

Question

Can anyone find me a guide or explain how to use a form guide in the papers or on the race card at a meeting?

Answer 1

In Britain the Form Figures in the paper show where/how the horse has finished/performed in its last six races using the following:

1 = 1st, 2 = 2nd, upto 6 = 6th

Greater than 6th = 0

P = Pulled Up (did not finsh)

U = Unseated Rider

F = Fell

C = Carried Out

R = Refused to Race

In addition to the above a [C] next to the horses name indicates it has won at the course it is running at today and a [D] informs us it has won at the distance it is running at today.

In themselves, unfortunately, they do not provide a defintive guide as to how a horse will run on the day and care should be applied to any system that relies on these figures alone. However, a cheap and cheerful system that is similar to a system used by Clive Holt a proffesional horseplayer is a follows:

Using the last two form figures only calculate as follows:

1st = 5pts

2nd = 3pts

3rd = 2pts

4th = 1 pts

C =  2 pts

D = 3 pts

Therefore if horse A has form figures of 45121 (the latest run is always on the right) and had won at the distance being run [D] we would calculate a form figure for it as follows:

1 = 5 pts

2 = 3pts

D = 3 pts

Total = 11 pts

Do this for every horse in the race and the horse with the highest rating is the one to have a closer look at. However, while this is a crude method of selecting a horse to back it is better than sticking a pin in the racecard.

A little addition...as referenced above this use of form figures is "similar" to a system published by Clive Holt (Fineform) in the late 90's. It is well known to all who follow horse racing and as a starting point is very useful to the less experienced backers.

Answer 2

maybe scan it or provide a list and get people to look and help you out?

i admit i have used the services of a bookmaker once or twice in my life and i don't know them all at all. i have often wondered how people seem to work it out straight away. so i'm glad you asked because i thought i was just being dense!

Answer 3

Depends what paper you use. they all at some time produce guides to their abbreviations. Sometimes it's best not to understand like the man that won on a horse with the form lines-    FFFP ... won at 25-1  his mate said "good god! what made you back that?" He replied " the form, look, First,First<First and Pissed IT"!

Good luck my friend!!!

A little addition...sure Fineform corporation would not be too happy at their "system" being given away (below respondent/clive holt) But there is far more than what you see in the dailies.

Take the 4-50 at Down Royal today (sat) Copper Bell is forecast as 5-4 favouite and beat Hypnotic Vibes forecast 14-1 about 3 lengths. Copper Bell was forcefully ridden, whilst Hypnotic Vibes was ridden only hands and heels. H.V.is wearing blinkers for the first time today.  Soooooo completely against form figures......"Get on Hypnotic Vibes""..Go on my son!