The Sportsbook's unique form ratings use the latest computer technology to produce pinpoint accuracy. They are allotted to every horse for every performance in every race and are stored in The Sportsbook database growing file of past results. Whenever a horse is declared to run, it's past ratings are accessed and displayed for today's race in the following three ways:
1 The Master Form rating
This is the backbone of The Sportsbook's form ratings - a 'pure' rating based on the best performance in the last three. As with all Sportsbook form ratings, it is weight-for-age adjusted to today's conditions.
2 The Last Form rating
The Master Form rating achieved on the horse's latest outing.
3 The Race Rating
Our final and most accurate form rating. Launched in 2001, the Sportsbook Race Rating outperforms the Master Form rating by a phenomenal 8.2% (strike-rate) and a staggering 9.5% (profitability). The reason for this is that the Race Rating uses the Master Form rating as a start point but then adds or deducts points wherever possible for each horse's suitability to today's race conditions. The net result is what we believe are the most accurate ratings on the market today.
In National Hunt racing, only Chase ratings count for a Chase, Hurdles ratings for a Hurdle, and NH Flat ratings for a NH Flat race.
Speed Ratings
The Sportsbook's Speed figures are compiled using race-times in comparison to standard times, adjusted for a per-furlong going allowance on the day. They are then calculated to weight carried and distance beaten. Due to the unreliable nature of going reports, we use our own computer-calculated going allowances. We also compile our own standard times for each distance at each racecourse.
1 The Master Speed rating is the best speed rating in the last six races adjusted to today's weight.
2 The Last Speed figure is the last rating achieved adjusted to today's weight.
Adjusted to today's weight means using the speed figure plus (12-07st minus today's weight) for NH, speed figure plus (10-00st minus today's weight) for Flat.
Using The Sportsbook Ratings
We have a free e-book available which best describes how to effectively use The Sportsbook's superb ratings and form analysis, called "Professional Flat Race Gambling With The Sportsbook" by Matthew Cox.
It was published in 1999 and as such pre-dated the move from using our improved Race Ratings as the main form ratings rather than the Master Form ratings. However, all the sentiments and analysis in the book remain very pertinent and it is strongly recommended as a good read. Go to the "Ordering" section on the Home menu to get your free copy.