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Horse racing betting rules
Updated over 4 months ago

General Horse Racing Rules

Subject to these rules, bets are accepted for race meetings held under the Jockey Club or their equivalent bodies abroad, where we make such races available to bet on.

Should there be any doubt as to whether a bet refers to horse or greyhound racing, horse racing will be given precedence.

The advertised times of races, runners, riders and results as published in the Racing Post, will govern settlement, obvious errors and omissions being allowed.

If a selection is correctly named, then bets will stand on that selection no matter if an incorrect meeting, time or price is appended. When a selection is identified by race time and number, that number will also take precedence over any price taken.

If races are set back in time because of weather conditions, the settling of all bets for the meeting will be governed by the original advertised race times.

Ante Post

An Ante post horse bet is a wager struck before the final declarations of a race.

Ante Post wagers are accepted all-in run or not, entered or not. Stakes are lost on an Ante Post bet if a selection does not take part and no Rule 4 (Deductions) is made from winning Ante Post bets. If a race is postponed to another day, bets placed in the Ante Post book will stand, providing the initial entry stage is not re-opened, in which case bets are void. If a race is abandoned, or declared void, bets placed in the Ante Post book will be void.

If the same horse is bet to win two or more races in Ante Post doubles, trebles and accumulators special reduced odds will be offered. If Multiplied odds are taken in error, we reserve the right to change to the correct price.

When specified trials or a race that impacts an Ante post market are run ,we will suspend that Ante post market.

Horses that fail to make the final declarations of a race (balloted out) will be deemed as non runners ,with no rule 4 deductions. Horses withdrawn on the day of the event due to Jockey Club rule 121 , for safety reasons due to field size etc. will be treated as non runners ,but rule 4 will apply to ante post wagers.

Ante Post bets are settled at the Price and Place terms applicable at the time of acceptance. Due to the strong likelihood of a reduced field size , we reserve the right to offer reduced place terms on Ante Post bets. If, however, the day of the race market allows for more competitive place terms we will upgrade the clients place terms.

Numbered Selections

On an un-timed bet, where numbered selections are concerned, the bet will stand on the next race due off where that number occurs.

Where an unnamed selection is timed, but no meeting given, and two or more races with a full service share the same advertised off time, the stake will be divided equally among them.

In the case of multiple bets where the client has made it clear that only one meeting is intended, the bet will be settled for that meeting, even if other race times coincide e.g a yankee 1.30, 2.05, 2.40 and 3.30. All times applicable to Cheltenham, although there might be a 1.30 or 2.40 race at another meeting, the intention is clearly for all races at Cheltenham.

Where a meeting and time are given, but no selection, the bet will be deemed void.

Double Engagements

Where a selection is doubly engaged and the client requests a specific race time, it will be considered a bet for that race only. If the selection runs in the other race it will be treated as a non-runner.

Should the client not state a time or states an incorrect time, so long as an 'if absent' request is not stated, the bet will be settled on the first race the selection runs in, on that day.

If two selections, one of which is doubly engaged, are included in an accumulator of multiple bets, but run in the same race, then the selection which is doubly engaged will be automatically timed for the race in which the entries do not clash.

Lucky 15/31/63

Online and Telephone Betting

This multiple bet includes singles and upwards on 4,5 or 6 selections respectively.

All Bonuses on these bets are available for Horses and Greyhounds with the exception of Ante Post selections. If this bet is accepted for any other Sports or Numbers bet, or for any Ante Post selections, the consolation bonuses will not apply.

In the case of an each-way bet, bonuses are only applicable to the win part of the bet. Bets containing non-runners or void selections will not qualify for all bonuses.

All winners

If all the selections of the bet win you will receive a bonus of an added % extra on the winnings of your bet. The bonus amounts will be Lucky 15 10% / Lucky 31 15% / Lucky 63 20%.

Consolation

For all of the above, your win single is settled at "double odds" if only one winner is selected.

Bet Breakdowns

Lucky 15

• 4 Singles

• 6 Doubles

• 4 Trebles

• 1 Fourfold

Lucky 31

• 5 Singles

• 10 Doubles

• 10 Trebles

• 5 Fourfolds

• 1 Fivefold

Lucky 63

• 6 Singles

• 15 Doubles

• 20 Trebles

• 15 Fourfolds

• 6 Fivefolds

• 1 Sixfold

Conditional Bets

We do not accept conditional bets.

Forecasts Bets

Subject to the following rules forecasts are accepted in singles, doubles and trebles only. Accumulators are not accepted.

Forecasts are available in races of three or more runners and will be settled in accordance with the requested forecast dividend, for example computer or exacta.

Forecasts inadvertently accepted in races with only two runners, will be settled as a win single on the selection nominated to finish first.

Should one runner finish alone, forecasts in which it is nominated as the winner are settled on the declared dividend unless none is given in which case forecasts will be settled as a single at SP (or relevant tote return) on the winning horse. All other forecast bets in the race are lost.

Where a forecast is selected and no forecast dividend is returned, bets will be settled in accordance with the N.S.L. starting price forecast chart.

If a forecast contains two selections that are in different races, then the bet will be settled as a win double.

If the forecast contains a non runner, then the remaining selection will be settled as a win single at SP.

If a client asks for a forecast single and gives only one selection, it will be settled as a win single. If a reversed forecast is requested and only one selection is given, it will be settled as an each-way single.

Instructions for a selection 'with the field' or a selection 'against the field', means, in both cases, that the selection is required to win. Instructions for 'the field with' or 'the field against' means, in both cases, that the selection is required to come second.

Forecast betting is not accepted on unnamed favourites.

Where a permutation is used, which could apply either to a forecast or a tricast and neither is specified, the bet will be settled on a forecast.

Tricasts and Trios

A tricast is a bet where selections must finish 1st, 2nd & 3rd in the correct order in races where a computer dividend is declared. They are accepted as singles only.

Tricast bets accepted for races where no tricast dividend is declared will be settled as a forecast, with the third selection ignored.

Where the name and number of a selection has been given and they do not correspond, the name will take precedence for settling purposes.

Should a tricast contain a non-runner, the total stake will be invested on a straight forecast on the remaining selections in the order written. In the case of a full cover combination, the total stake will be divided equally as a reversed forecast on the remaining selections.

Should there be two non-runners, the tricast will be settled as a win single on the remaining selection. For the purposes of settling, a permutation is considered as a series of straight tricasts.

Walkovers

These count as races but any horse that completes a walkover will be treated as a non runner.

Fixed Odds Distance Betting

A fixed odds bet is available on selected horse race meetings based on predicting the correct total of the winning distances for all races at that meeting. The maximum distance for a single race is 12 lengths for flat racing and 30 lengths for national hunt. In the event of a walkover 2 lengths will be awarded to a flat race and 6 lengths will be awarded to a national hunt race. In the event that one race is made void or abandoned then 2 lengths will be awarded for a flat race and 6 lengths for a national hunt race.

If two or more races are abandoned then all bets will be void unless further races could not affect the result. The distance will be the official declared distance at the weigh in. Any subsequent alterations will not count for settlement purposes. The following list represents the numeric unit that is used in the calculation for distances of less than one length :-

  • Nose: 0.05 Lengths

  • Short Head: 0.10 Lengths

  • Head: 0.20 Lengths

  • Neck: 0.30 Lengths

  • Half Lengths: 0.50 Lengths

  • 1 Length: 1.00 Length etc.

Fixed Odds Favourite Betting

A fixed odds bet is available at selected meetings based on a points system for the finishing positions of favourites in each race. The aim is to correctly predict the total number of points for the finishing positions of favourites in each race at the specified meeting. If the favourite is withdrawn then 10 points are awarded for that race. If there are joint or co favourites then the selection will be the one with the lowest race card number. In the event of a walkover or all horses failing to complete a race, 10 points will be awarded for that race. In the event of a dead heat then the points for each placing will be added and divided by the number of selections in the dead heat. In the event that one race is made void or abandoned then 10 points will be awarded for that race. If two or more races are abandoned then all bets will be void unless further races could not affect the result. The following is a list of the number of points awarded for the relevant placing of favourites.

  • 1st place: 25 Points

  • 2nd Place: 10 Points

  • 3rd Place: 5 Points

Horse Race Match Bets

Horse match bets may take the form of a head to head match or a selected group such as a threesome. The winner is the selection that obtains the best finishing position. If all horses fail to complete the course the selection that has completed most of the course will be deemed the winner. If selections fall or refuse at the same fence in national hunt races dead heat rules apply. Dead heat rules apply with regard to finishing positions

Each-way Betting

Bets are settled to win unless each-way is selected. An each-way bet is a bet of twice the selected unit stake. It contains one bet of unit stake on the selection to win and one bet of unit stake on the selection to be placed in accordance with the terms advertised for the event. In general, for UK, US and South African horse racing the place part of each-way bets will be settled as per the following place terms:

Races with less than 5 runners = Win Only (the place money is invested to win).

Races of 5, 6 or 7 runners = 1/4 odds for first 2 places.

Handicaps 12 to 15 runners = 1/4 the odds for first 3 places.

Handicaps 16 or more runners = 1/4 the odds for first 4 places.

All other non-handicap races of 8 or more runners = 1/5 the odds for first 3 places.

In all races the number of runners shall be the number of runners coming under starters orders.

Bets will not be accepted where the place stake exceeds the win stake. Place only bets are not accepted (with the exception of certain specialty bets). Where place only bets or bets where the place part is in excess of the win have been accepted in error the difference will be void. Each-way doubles, trebles and accumulators will be settled win-to-win and place-to-place in accordance with the above.

Settlement of Bets

In the event of no starting price being returned then the last industry price given will be used for settlement purposes. In the event that no industry price was used then the tote return will be used for settling purposes and vice-versa. If neither price is declared bets will be void.

Favourites and Numbered Selections

The favourite is the horse quoted at the shortest odds in the official starting price, the second favourite is the horse quoted at the next shortest price. If two horses are quoted at the shortest SP, then they will be joint first and second favourites.

Bets on 1st or 2nd favourites are accepted win only at starting price. Early prices or board prices cannot be taken on unnamed favourites. Each-way bets on unnamed 1st or 2nd favourites are not accepted and if taken in error, the place part will be settled as a win stake.

If an unnamed favourite is selected and two or more co favourites are returned, the stake will be divided equally among them and paid at full odds.

If a favourite is withdrawn, not under starters orders and no new market is formed, that favourite will be treated as a non runner unless in placepots where your selection will revert to the next shortest priced selection, and the lowest race card number in the event of two or more equally priced selections.

In single bets, any untimed favourite will be deemed to be for the next race due off, which is receiving full coverage, from the time the bet was placed. If a meeting is stated, but no time given, the bet will stand on the next race at that meeting.

Withdrawals

When a horse is withdrawn before coming under starterís orders, or is deemed by the starter to have taken no part in the race, stakes will be refunded on that selection.

Reserves

In races with reserves, any bets taken prior to a reserve horse being declared to run and if the reserve was not priced up at the time the bet was placed, then any such bets will be settled on the result 'without the reserve runner(s)'. Each-way bets settled on the result 'without the reserve runner(s)' will be based on the number of runners, excluding reserves, that start the race. No rule 4 deductions will be applicable in races where reserves are priced but do not run.

Early Price/Board/Show/SP prices

When a horse has been withdrawn then the remaining bets will be subject to Tattersalls Rule 4, incurring deductions according to the price of the non runner at the time of withdrawal. However should a new market be formed before the 'off' of a race, then only bets with a price taken prior to the time of withdrawal will be affected.

Tote Prices (UK & Irish)

Horse race tote bets are accepted for all meetings in the UK covered by a full race service. We accept Tote win, each-way, exacta's and placepots. We do not currently accept the Tote Jackpot. TOTE bets are not currently accepted on line.

Place only Tote bets are not accepted and if taken in error, will be void.

Tote Placepots are accepted at all UK horse race meetings where a tote pool operates. To win the placepot, clients must select a horse to be placed in each of the first six races at the nominated meeting. Selections achieve placings based on place terms and any race nominated by the Tote, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th places.

When a race meeting is not specified or cannot be identified, the bet will be taken for the principle meeting published in the Racing Post, unless the numbers stated do not 'fit' the card for that meeting, in which case, it will be for the one or more meetings where the numbers do fit the card with the stakes apportioned, if necessary.

Clients can nominate an unnamed favourite in a placepot by stating 'fav'. Where joint favourites are returned, the one with the lowest race card number will be the selection. Should the favourite be withdrawn before coming under orders, the next shortest price runner will be the selection, unless there is more than one, in which case the one with the lowest race card number will become the selection.

In the event that no placepot dividend is declared, the bet will be settled as an SP place accumulator. In the event of a non-runner or an ambiguous selection, it will be replaced by the favourite, or in the case of joint favourites the one with the lowest race card number.

Tote bets are not accepted on an unnamed favourites (except placepots).

There is a payout limit of £20,000 to any one client in any one day, on Tote investments.

The maximum tote return will be no greater than twice and no less than half of the equivalent SP return.

The maximum exacta forecast dividend will be no greater than twice and no less than half of the computer straight forecast.

Restarted Races

In the event of a false start etc. resulting in a race being re-run, 'Under starters Orders' is negated and stakes will be refunded on horses not taking part in the re-run, with returns on the remaining runners subject to Tattersalls Rule 4. The number of runners taking part in the re-run governs the place terms.

Information and rules for racing in Other Countries

Bets are accepted for all races abroad where we advertise acceptance.

In races where an industry SP is made available, all bets will be settled at these prices, unless requested otherwise. In instances where no industry SP is made available, bets will be settled at Pari-Mutuel/Tote returns.

Win and Each-way for foreign pools: Horses in the same ownership are generally coupled on the win pool only. In certain countries, e.g. USA and Belgium, horses are coupled for all pools. The place part of each-way bets will be settled in accordance to the returned place dividends. Bets will be settled in accordance to the rules in place at each track.

In the USA, two place pools are in operation, namely the "place 1-2 pool" for 1st and second only and the "show 1-2-3 pool" for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

It is your responsibility to specify which dividend you require when placing your each-way bet. If no dividend is specified by you, then we will default your bet to the show 1-2-3 dividend. If no show dividend is declared by the race track, then your each-way bet will be defaulted to the place 1-2 dividend. Any selections finishing third in this circumstance will be made losers. Coupled horses are treated as one runner for win, place and show dividends.

Place only bets are not accepted and, if taken in error will be void.

Forecasts: Straight and reverse forecasts, exacts and quinella's are accepted, depending on the type of forecast in operation. Should the instructions be for straight or reversed forecast/exacta and a quinella forecast is returned, then the total stake will be invested as a quinella forecast and vice versa.

In countries where bookmakers operate and an official SP is returned, bets are accepted in accordance with our general rules and we will advertise any additional rules, applicable to the country concerned.

Unnamed favourites are not accepted in races abroad, unless an official SP is returned. Any bets taken in error, will be void.

First Past the Post/Official Result

Max £200 stake on singles or £20,000 payout on multiples

Excluded from this offer are:

  • Ante Post bets

  • Tote or Pari Mutual bets

  • Forecasts and Tricasts

  • A void race

  • A selection carrying the wrong weight or the jockey failing to weigh in.

  • A selection taking the wrong course

  • A selection given as a winner or placed in error by the judge.

  • Incorrect transmission of a result

  • An amended result given after the official result is declared, for example after successful appeal.

  • Two runner races

  • Bets on international racing

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