Ante Post Betting - Is It The Ultimate Gamble?
As the horse racing industry goes from strength to strength around the world, we are seeing a major increase in the Ante Post market - betting on a horse before the day of the race - as everyone looks to take that extra point out of the race. But is it actually worth the risk?
For those not aware, traditional Ante Post betting allows to you to bet on a horse before the day of the race, but the potential problem is that if the horse is pulled out of the race then you do not get your stake back. However, if you place a bet on the day of a race and the horse is pulled out then you will receive your stake back. This is where the gamble comes in, because all Ante Post odds will have that added risk that the horse is pulled out, which means you will normally get improved odds.
What are the chances of a favourite being pulled before the race?
You may be surprised to learn that it is probably the more popular horses which are likely to be pulled prior to any race. These horses are some of the fittest animals you will ever come across, and often need perfect race conditions. Who is going to risk a potential multi-million dollar horse on “going” which does not suit?
For many race horses their racing career is just the start of their lives, with many going on to years of stud and breeding, and the potential for owners to earn millions of dollars. This is why you will often see horse commentators mention a horse’s bloodline, which can often give an indication of the future potential.
What about betting exchanges?
Interestingly Ante Post bets made via betting exchanges will not be lost in the event of horses being pulled, because funds will be returned to both sides of the transaction. This is an interesting way to squeeze better odds from a horse, although you should always check the terms and conditions of any gambling site before placing a bet - especially Ante Post.