Ahead Of The Handicapper

Sourcing horses who are “Ahead Of The Handicapper” is a popular horse racing statistic that punters regularly look for.

The ‘Ahead of the Handicapper’ are horses who have been raised for future handicaps but are still racing off their old marks, making them well handicapped today. This is because official ratings are increased for winning races and if turned out quickly under a penalty, they can be racing from a lower mark than for future races.

The ‘Ahead of the Handicapper’ identifies these horses that may be competing on favourable terms.

Many of the best horse race tipsters list up the well-handicapped horses as their banker bets of the day.

In our Ahead Of Handicapper guide, we explain why some racehorses are well in on the handicap weights for today’s races.

Find the Ahead of the Handicapper horses:

Well Handicapped Horses Today

Here are the best well-handicapped horses today.

The shrewd horse racing punters always look to wager bets on the best bookies offering extra places, like sky bet EW extra places, bet365 EW extra places, or Paddy Power EW extra places.

What does Ahead of the Handicapper Mean in Horse Racing?

In horse racing, handicapping is a method used to level the playing field, giving each horse a theoretically equal chance of winning. A handicapper assesses each horse’s ability and assigns a weight that the horse must carry in a race. This system is designed to create more competitive races and fairer betting markets.

When a horse is described as being “Ahead Of The Handicapper,” it means that its true ability is greater than the current handicap rating suggests. Essentially, the horse’s recent performances indicate that it is better than what the handicapper has accounted for, often because it hasn’t been re-assessed recently. This situation can create a potentially lucrative betting opportunity as the horse might perform much better than the assigned weight and rating imply.

Ahead of the handicapper means a horse is carrying less weight than its official BHA rating suggests it should be carrying.

This happens when a horse wins a race and then races again within a few days, before its new official rating has been awarded. 

If the racehorse is raised by more than the temporary penalty weight given by the handicapper, then they are said to be “ahead of the handicapper” as they should technically be carrying more weight for that race.

Horse racing enthusiasts are always on the lookout for ways to gain an edge over bookmakers and fellow punters. One such advantage comes from identifying horses that are “Ahead Of The Handicapper.” Understanding this concept could provide valuable insights and betting opportunities for those following British horse racing. In this article, we’ll delve into what it means for a horse to be “Ahead Of The Handicapper,” how to spot these potential betting gems, and why they matter to both seasoned punters and newcomers alike.

Ahead of Handicapper Today’s Runners

The list of horses running today listed as “ahead of handicapper” are horses competing on favourable terms.

Here is a picture showing how The Racing Post list the horses raised for future handicaps that are running today.

The “Ahead of Handicapper” list provides the horse name, race meeting, time of race and amount of pounds the runner is rising in the weights after this race.

Other Reasons Why Horses Can be Ahead Of The Handicapper?

Aside from being technically “well in”, meaning that a horse is racing off an official lower mark than they should be because of a recent win, horses can be deemed to be ahead of the handicapper for a number of other reasons which include:

• Improving with age
• They have been gelded to help concentration
• Runs well at a certain time of the year
• Tried a new trip and brought improvement
• Had wind surgery to improve breathing
• Blinkers or headgear being used can bring improvement
• Tried on new ground conditions or on the all-weather
• Trainers are in great form

The significant improvement in a horse’s form can be brought about by small, routine operations to improve its breathing or being gelded.

How to tell if a horse is well handicapped?

The best indicator that the horse is well handicapped is to check the handicap official rating and compare to see what the horse has won off previously.

Checking the historical data on the handicap mark to see if the horse has won previously from a lower mark is a great indication.

Alternatively you can look if a horse is improving with age or ahead of the handicapper from his last run.

How Does a Horse Become “Ahead Of The Handicapper”?

Several factors can contribute to a horse becoming “Ahead Of The Handicapper”:

1. Recent Improvement: A horse may have shown significant improvement in recent runs, which the handicapper has not yet fully accounted for in its rating.
2. Change in Conditions: A horse might benefit from a change in race conditions, such as a shorter or longer distance, softer or firmer ground, or a return to a more favourable track.
3. Trainer Strategy: Sometimes, trainers run their horses in specific races to lower their handicap mark or prepare them for a more favourable race. If a horse has been running in unsuitable conditions, its handicap rating may not reflect its true ability.
4. Unexposed Potential: Younger horses or those with fewer runs often have unexposed potential. If they have only run in a few races, their official rating may not fully reflect their ability, especially if they’ve shown promise in those races.

Spotting Horses Ahead Of The Handicapper

Identifying horses that are ahead of the handicapper requires careful analysis and an understanding of form, race conditions, and the tactics employed by trainers. Here are some key indicators to watch for:

• Impressive Wins: Look for horses that have won their recent races with ease, especially by wide margins. These horses may not yet have been reassessed and could be entering their next race with a favourable weight.
• Consistent Improvement: Horses showing a pattern of consistent improvement over several races might not yet have had their ratings adjusted to reflect their current form.
• Jockey and Trainer Insights: Pay attention to horses that are ridden by top jockeys or trained by top trainers, especially if they are known for successfully “placing” horses in races where they have an edge.
• Market Movements: Watch for significant movements in the betting markets, which may indicate inside knowledge that a horse is well-treated by the handicapper.

Why Being “Ahead Of The Handicapper” Matters

For punters, finding a horse that is “Ahead Of The Handicapper” can be a valuable edge. Betting on such horses, particularly in handicap races, can lead to better returns if the horse performs to its true ability. This makes it a key concept for anyone serious about horse racing betting strategies.

From the perspective of trainers and owners, placing a horse in a race where it is well-treated by the handicapper can increase the likelihood of winning prize money, enhancing the horse’s reputation and potentially leading to more valuable opportunities in the future.

Summary of Ahead of the Handicap Runners

Understanding when a horse is “Ahead Of The Handicapper” is an essential skill for any serious horse racing enthusiast or punter. By analysing form, understanding the role of the handicapper, and staying informed about race conditions, it is possible to spot these potentially profitable betting opportunities. At British Racecourses, we encourage all fans of the sport to dig deeper into the form books, stay updated with our race guides, and refine their handicapping strategies to find those hidden gems that are truly ahead of the game.

Keeping an eye out for horses ahead of the handicap is something that all punters and tipsters do.

In-form trainers will often turn winning horses out quickly to take advantage of the lower marks (before the hike in weights is given). The horses running off a lower rating than its future handicap mark are usually the best-backed horses of the day and the odds shorten significantly.

Although some horses might be significantly well in on the handicap weights, sports bettors need to consider some horses struggle to back up runs so quickly and win.

Find all the runners and riders Ahead Of The Handicapper For Today’s Racing on Today’s Horse Racing Racecards besides the official rating, it will show “Official Rating up +2 in future races”.

Related Horse Race Statistics Posts

Here are all the articles related to horse racing stats for the UK and Irish races.

Please gamble responsibly and hopefully, you study the form to find winners out of all the a-z runners horses running today.