Speed Ratings Explained

What are speed ratings?
Speed ratings are the most accurate method of rating a horses performance, as the rating itself is achieved using a set calculation based on the time in which the race was run compared with the standard time set for each course and distance. We use our own standard times for every course and distance and adjust them throughout the year to help make the ratings as accurate as possible.

All the races at a meeting are rated, after which a 'going allowance' is calculated. This going allowance simply allows the races to be adjusted depending on the condition of the ground on the day. For example, if the ground was riding very soft, all race times would be slower than standard, so another set calculation is made to determine by just how much each race was slowed down (or quickened up if the ground is riding fast).

Unlike other speed ratings compilers we also work a class allowance variable into the figures before the ratings are finally adjusted to allow for the differing standards of each race on the card, again giving you the most exact speed rating possible. Once these allowances have been made the ratings can be compiled.

Inform Racing speed ratings give you a precise, calculated rating for each and every runner that can be confidently used as a measure of a horses ability in a race.

Why are speed ratings better than normal ratings?
Normal horse racing ratings are not as reliable as speed ratings because they are based entirely on the opinions of the compiler, who in most cases simply uses his 'judgement' to rate a race often based on the finishing positions of the higher rated horses in the race.

This method is open to misinterpretation and is in the main an inaccurate method of rating performance as although the rating is based on the runners performance in the race, nothing can be deemed as definite unlike the precise calculations of speed ratings.

What makes the Inform Racing speed ratings so good?
There are a two main reasons why the Inform Racing ratings are more reliable than other ratings and they are the method in which the ratings are calculated and the way in which the information is displayed on the race cards.

Firstly we use our own standard course and distance times and update them regularly throughout the season, making them and therefore the ratings as accurate and up to date as possible. As well as this we take into account every race on the card when making allowances for the going (the condition of the ground), which allows us to really 'see' how the ground was riding on all parts of the course and not just where most of the races were run.

Sandown for example, has a round course for races of 7 furlongs or more and a straight course just for 5 furlong races. By taking these different parts of the course into account we can get a far more accurate rating for every race instead of just a 'general' feel and can make our going allowances more accurate.

We also add a class allowance variable into the ratings before they are finally adjusted to allow for the different class of race on the day. Without this factored into the ratings, a high grade of race, a Group or Pattern race for example, run on a card of mainly handicaps and maidens would bring the average of the days race times up too high meaning that the ratings would also be incorrect. This class allowance means that each race can be rated at its correct level. (You will be able to see this clearly in the ratings themselves when comparing race cards from different classes of race).

The second reason our ratings are so popular is the simple way in which our race cards are displayed. Many ratings operations seem to have so much information available that it can be a little daunting to people who just want the facts about a race and to see clearly what is likely to win.

Inform Racing have purposely not gone over the top with the information that is provided so as not to cloud the issue too much.

Our race cards are the main focus point of the service giving you all the information you need at a glance. All top three rated horses under each heading are highlighted in bold so that you can easily pick these out and all eight columns of information serve a very useful purpose indeed.

You can now also see what conditions the Master rating and all last three runs were achieved under. Just hover you mouse pointer over any of the Master or Lto ratings and a small box will appear showing the course, distance and going of the rating in question.

Many subscribers just use this first table to select their bets without going too deep into the 'form'. With a good view of recent and overall form available here it is possible to get a good snapshot of the race and to see what is most likely to win.

For those that do want more information however, it is there. Our form guide tables are extremely simple to use and as readable as any other form guide available. All required form factors are included and as each column is fully sort table it allows you to group any factors together very easily to look at a horses form when ridden by a certain jockey for example, when running over a certain distance or whatever.

We now also provide the Advanced Search Facilty too which will let you search our database of over 180,000+ pieces of form to cross check a horses performance over one or a combination of form factors. This feature alone will prove invaluable for any punter that wishes to succeed at betting and will be of great use to punters who like to 'lay' horses too as the search results will often bring up poor form statistics that will be of use when laying any fancied runners.

Can I make money using your speed ratings?
Undoubtedly, yes. There are many subscribers that have been with us since we started online in March 2003 and this has to be the greatest compliment that can be paid as no one hangs around if they can't continuously make money.

Inform Racing will provide you with a method of gaining a winning edge over every other punter because most other gamblers just don't seem to want to know about speed ratings. It is falsely thought that because of the difference in UK race track configurations it must be impossible to rate a race based solely on time. However this is definitely not the case.

By calculating each rating against our own standard times for every course and distance separately and adding in a going allowance which then allows a proper reading for all races on the day no matter what the condition of the ground, it is possible to put a definite figure against every run.

When you have information that others don't have, it puts you in the box seat and far more aware of horses that are likely to win or run well at big odds.

We see winners every week that have poor form figures by their names that have been highly rated on recent, overall, course or distance form and by concentrating on these four factors alone, which can all be found on the race cards, your betting will start to pay dividends right away.

When a horse wins at big odds it is nice to be able to look at the Inform Racing race card and see a reason why it won.

The above is all taken exactly from the InformRacing website at www.InformRacing.com

HorseRacingHQ.com is delighted to have negotiated YOU a SPECIAL PRICE for this excellent service.

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