Chester Racecourse Facilities Map

ParadeRing FoodCourt

1. Colours Graphic - a visual of the Owners

Silks that the Jockey will be wearing

2. Horse’s number on saddlecloth

3. Colour and sex of horse: B - Bay Br - Brown h - horse Ch - Chesnut c - colt (followed by Sire and Dam) g - gelding Gr - Grey f - filly m - mare Ro - Roan

4. Horse’s name

5. Birthplace of horse if not born in Great Britain

6. Number of day’s since horse last ran

7. Details of horse’s previous performances: Bold type indicates All-Weather Track form / denotes new season - denotes new year

C - The horse has won on this racecourse

D - The horse has won over this distance

CD - The horse has won over a race over this course and distance

BF - The horse was a beaten favourite on its last run

8. Age of horse

Official Bha Ratings

9. Weight the horse carries (stones and pounds)

10.Draw

11 Owner’s Name(s)

12. Breeder

13 Trainer’s Name and location of training establishment

14.A guide to the horse’s recent form and star rating. Each horse has been given a star rating, these are defined below:

HHHHH Selected to win the race.

HHHHI Good chance of being placed.

HHHII By no means out of the reckoning but at least one or two hold stronger claims

HHIII Unlikely to win but not totally without hope.

HIIII Can be given little or no chance.

15 Jockey’s photo If there is a number next to the name, this indicates that the jockey can claim that amount in weight (lbs) off the stated riding weight

The BHA Handicappers allot ratings to horses once they have taken part in a sufficient number of races to enable the Handicappers to make a numerical assessment of each horse’s ability

The principal purpose of the ratings is to determine the weight to be carried by each runner in handicap races, with the Handicappers aiming to provide each participant with an equal chance based on its best recent form under its optimum conditions.

A horse rated 100, for example, would be set to carry 1lb more than a horse rated 99 (ignoring any penalties or allowances).

The ratings published in the racecard for handicap races are the ratings that were used to calculate the weight to be carried by each horse, whilst in non-handicaps races the rating shown is that of each runner at the time that the entries for the race were confirmed. Any subsequently published change to a rating, either up or down, is shown in brackets following the rating.

ON COURSE BETTING & HOW TO READ THE RACECARD

Ways To Bet

WIN ONLY The most common form of bet You win if your horse is first past the post. Example: £5 win at 8/1 would return £45 (8 x £5 = £40 + £5 stake)

EACH WAY Backing a horse to win or be placed. This doubles your bet for example: £5 each way = £5 to win and £5 for a place = £10 total stake

Standard Each Way Terms

In conjunction with The RCA, the bookmakers have introduced standard each-way terms. Bookmakers will provide these terms, or better, when offering each-way betting

• Fewer than 4 runners - all on to win

• 5

7 runnewrs (inclusive)

1/4 odds a place 1,2

• 8 or more runners – 1/5 odds a place 1,2,3

• Handicaps with 12 to 15 runners (inclusive) – 1/4 odds a place 1,2,3

• Handicaps with 16 to 21 runners (inclusive) – 1/5 odds a place 1,2,3,4

• Handicaps with 22 or more runners – 1/4 odds a place 1,2,3,4

Some bookmakers also offer ‘betting without the favourite’, where you can back your selection at reduced odds to either win or finish second to the horse nominated by the bookmaker as favourite. You may bet with confidence with any bookmaker on course as they operate with Administration Of Gambling On Tracks Ltd. (AGT) approval. In the unlikely event of a dispute with a bookmaker please call upon the assistance of the AGT Betting Ring Manager, who can be found on the ground floor of the Grandstand Enclosure. The AGT also offers a ‘late pay’ service in case the bookmaker leaves the course before you have collected your winnings. Late pay claims should be sent to: AGT, 3A Kings Hall, Parsons Green, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, PE27 4WY.

Placing A Bet

Experiencing the buzz of the betting ring may be a little daunting at first, but you will soon find it is very easy to place a bet. Here are some guidelines for racegoers to follow:

1. Each bookmaker will be offering slightly different prices, so shop around for the best odds against your selection.

2. Call your bet clearly to the bookmaker by stating the name and / or number of your chosen horse and the stake

3. Listen to the bookmaker repeat your bet to his / her clerk and correct him immediately if any details are called wrongly

4. Make sure you obtain a ticket from the bookmaker and keep it safe.

5. If your selection wins, hand the ticket back to the bookmaker for settlement. Never destroy or dispose of your ticket until after the “Weighed in” announcement has been made Betting with the bookmaker is tax-free. Deductions are made only if a horse is withdrawn after the betting market has been formed

Please check the minimum stake accepted by each bookmaker on his display board Some bookmakers do not take sums under £5, especially in the main betting ring, but there will be others who are happy to accept £2 bets. Please tender the correct change when possible.

METABOLT has had a fine time of it so far this season, winning on both starts at Haydock and Windsor, and David Loughnane’s gelding is taken to handle the 5lb penalty incurred for the most recent success Tim Easterby always merits respect in these contests and recent Thirsk scorer Danzan merits a place on any shortlist. Although Brasil Power was a shade disappointing when sent off a short price favourite at Wolverhampton earlier this month, the first-time cheekpieces might aid his cause.

WIN: METABOLT

DANGER: DANZAN

No previous form on offer so the betting market will be most informative. Charlie Johnston and Franny Norton are no strangers to having winners at this track and, receiving weight all-round, QUICK AWAY may just be the answer in what looks a tricky affair Wootton’s Jewel is out of a Listed winner and commands respect, while Rukaana, a son of Dark Angel who was purchased for 60,000gns in October, completes the shortlist.

WIN: QUICK AWAY

DANGER: WOOTTON’S JEWEL

On Borrowed Time is turned out quickly again after making a winning debut at Redcar last week and can be considered. However, MIMI KAKUSHI was a neck behind him that day when an odds-on favourite and is fancied to reverse those placings with first-time cheekpieces applied. Up The Jazz was narrowly denied in similar company at York a fortnight ago and has shaped like this extra furlong can bring out further improvement.

WIN: MIMI KAKUSHI

DANGER: UP THE JAZZ

The majority of these have questions to answer at present and it may pay to take a chance on handicap debutant TAJALAT. Roger Varian’s filly has posted three creditable efforts to date and her opening mark of 74 looks workable Metahorse may find some improvement from a change of scenery and is another to consider, while Chasseral could appreciate this stiffer test and is also of interest

WIN: TAJALAT

DANGER: METAHORSE

Sparks Fly recorded a four-timer last month at Windsor, but the handicapper hasn’t reacted kindly and David Loughnane’s three-year-old may be worth taking on now 10lb higher in the ratings. MARKET VALUE was value for further when gaining a breakthrough success in a maiden at Ripon in May and makes most appeal on this opening bid in handicaps. Wind In Your Sails boasts a similar profile and is a viable alternative.

WIN: MARKET VALUE

DANGER: WIND IN YOUR SAILS

An open-looking handicap on paper, but the nod goes to BALANCE PLAY Ralph Beckett’s charge was a good third in the Lester Piggott Handicap at Epsom last time and a repeat of that effort entitles him to great respect from these rivals Last-time-out winner Tajawal appears to be the biggest danger after his success over 1m at Ayr, while Theme Park should also be challenging based on his recent second at York.

WIN: ROMAN DRAGON

DANGER: VENTURA EXPRESS

ECCLESIASTICAL was a good winner over 5f at Ripon last time out and is fancied to follow up that success. Tristan Davidson’s runner scored by two lengths on that occasion and has a 5lb penalty, but the fact he boasts a low draw in stall 2 can only be an advantage to him. Therehegoes should pose the biggest threat after just being touched off over 5f at Lingfield, while Albegone completes the shortlist.

WIN: ECCLESIASTICAL

DANGER: THEREHEGOES