What are the best strategies for successful horse racing betting?
Everyone believes there’s a magic formula to winning on the horses - a fail-safe way to walk away from the racecourse with bags full of cash.
Plenty of seasoned punters will have theories they swear by or show you crumpled bits of paper with all kinds of mathematical wizardry.
These all might help tip the scales in your favour, but the bottom line is that nothing is certain when it comes to the sport of kings.
But don’t despair, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen is on hand to give your betting journey a nudge in the right direction.
Whether you're betting at Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, or just on a windy Tuesday in Redcar, these betting strategies could help you dust away some of the cobwebs in your wallet.
Saturday ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Cheltenham and Wetherby – November 15, 2025
After spending the last three years working on what he called a ‘Guatemalan sugar farm’, Jeff Mexico has returned to Blighty to impart his years of horse racing betting experience on those looking to make a quick buck.
In this article, the Sports News Blitz horse racing oracle casts his net over Saturday’s meetings that are being shown on ITV – four from day two of the November Meeting at Cheltenham, which includes the Paddy Power Gold Cup, and two contests from Wetherby’s Peak Cap & Pearls Raceday.
Mr Vango and Johnnywho headline William Hill Becher betting
William Hill are excited to open the betting on the William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race this season. 35 horses have been entered for the prestigious contest over the Randox Grand National fences, with Mr Vango and Johnnywho heading the market as 8/1 joint-favourites.
Horse racing A-Z guide: Complete list of horse racing betting terms
For the uninitiated, horse racing can look like a wild world of strange jargon, complicated betting markets and people dressed in everything from fancy hats to Wellington boots.
It’s a lot more than placing a bet on the result of a handful of horses making their way round a race course.
You can keep it that simple if you like, but that strategy is likely to drain your wallet very quickly.
Horse racing rarely takes a break. There’s always a race somewhere in the world at any one time.
Whether it’s the Cheltenham Festival, The Grand National, Royal Ascot or the 3.47 at Plumpton on a wet Tuesday afternoon, understanding racing terminology is essential for confident betting and hopefully turning a profit.
If you are an experienced gambler or a newbie starting on your punting journey, there’s plenty to learn and discover.
This comprehensive guide by Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen covers terms used online, trackside and in betting shops across the UK, Ireland and international markets.
Virtual horse racing betting: A complete guide to odds, strategies and winning tips
Virtual horse racing has emerged as one of the most accessible forms of gambling for bettors worldwide.
While traditional afternoon and evening horse racing has been merrily ticking along for hundreds of years, virtual horse racing offers 24/7 action with competitive odds, without the risk of your selection having a meltdown in the stalls.
However, many punters still don’t trust virtual horse racing. They believe there’s too much ‘new-fangled technology’ going on in the background to feel comfortable about putting a large chunk of cash on something that isn’t flesh and blood.
Well, Grandad, it’s time to put those fears to one side, as Sports News Blitz’s Scott Allen walks you through the world of virtual horse racing and answers some questions you may have.
UK & Irish Flat season sees record HK$5.1 billion World Pool turnover
World Pool turnover has hit a new season-long high in the UK and Ireland, rising to HK$5.1bn following its conclusion on British Champions Day at Ascot last Saturday.
Horse Racing news: Racing punter turns 8p E/W Lucky 63 into nearly £30,000
William Hill have been stunned by a remarkable 8p each-way Lucky 63 landed on Tuesday, when five winners across Redcar, Yarmouth and Wolverhampton turned one punter’s £10.08 stake into £29,732.09.
The winning began at Redcar when Just Typical scored at 18/1, followed by Mademoiselle at Yarmouth (6/1) and a Wolverhampton treble with Ghisa (20/1), Ten Carat Harry (11/1) and Advertorial (11/2).
Despite a 25p Rule 4 on Ten Carat Harry and a losing leg at Uttoxeter, the bettor was able to walk away with a near-£30,000 total from five successful selections.
Punter’s big win returns extra £7k thanks to BOG
A William Hill racing punter landed a big bet to start the bank holiday weekend, when their 5p Goliath returned close to £12k, over half of which was thanks to Best Odds Guaranteed.
Horse racing news: £2 bet lands punter over £16k
One William Hill racing punter landed a stunning touch on Thursday’s racing, when their £1 each-way accumulator returned £16,245.
GB and Ireland favourites for 2025 Shergar Cup at Ascot
Great Britain and Ireland, captained by Hollie Doyle, are 11/10 favourites with William Hill to win Saturday’s Shergar Cup at Ascot for the first time since 2022.
Royal Ascot 2025 sees 10% rise in World Pool betting turnover
World Pool bet types for Royal Ascot 2025 were up 10% on 2024, rising to HK$1,574.4m (approx. £150m) for the five days, as punters from across the globe were able to access commingled pools on the event for the seventh consecutive season.
Royal Ascot 2025 news: William Hill’s biggest liabilities revealed ahead of horse racing extravaganza
Just under a week out from Royal Ascot, William Hill have revealed which of next week’s runners stand to be the biggest losers in their markets for the Royal Meeting.
The five-day extravaganza from the Berkshire track is one of the marquee events in the betting calendar, and the leading bookmaker can reveal that Karl Burke’s speedy juvenile Zelaina, who looks set to line up in the Queen Mary, tops their list of the worst liabilities.
Horse racing tips: Best bets for Punchestown Festival and Newmarket - May 2
There is some top quality horse racing on Friday across both jumps at the Punchestown Festival and flat racing at Newmarket.
Some of the sport's biggest names are back in action as punters look to see if Constitution Hill, once the best hurdler in the country, can finish for the first time in three races.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing tipster Connor Brooks gives his best bets for the day.
Two punters pull off Grand National betting masterclass
Official Betting Partner of the Randox Grand National Festival, William Hill, are reeling after two shrewd punters won big thanks to Saturday’s main event.
Grand National tips: Bookmaker thinks 2025 could be a grey day at Aintree
Data from William Hill has revealed that backing grey horses has been no way of winning money on the Grand National.
Since the turn of the millennium, 62 greys have gone to post across the 24 renewals.
But of those runners, a mere seven have placed in the first five, and there has been just one winner since 2012.
Despite this, William Hill think it could be a good year for the greys, offering just 3/1 that any of the eight greys set to run will win the 2025 Grand National.
Iroko best-handicapped National contender in likely absence of Mr Vango
Timeform’s best-handicapped horse heading into Saturday’s Grand National is the Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero-trained Iroko with a rating of 183p, ahead of the Gavin Cromwell-trained duo, Stumptown (182) and Perceval Legallois (181).
Cheltenham Festival news: Galopin Des Champs the favourite as Gavin Cromwell backs Inothewayurthinkin for Gold Cup
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell talks through his runners for Day Four of the Cheltenham Festival, suggesting Inothewayurthinkin can beat Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs.
And with the Festival having proved lucrative for bookies so far, William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps offers a breakdown of how things might pan out for them on Gold Cup Day.
Cheltenham Festival 2025 tips for the Gold Cup, Ryanair Chase, Champion Hurdle and more
Sports News Blitz are revving up for the roar of the first race at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, and have pulled together some betting tips for all four days of glorious horse racing.
Co Founder Simon Wilkes attended a preview night hosted by Jonathan Doidge of JDZ Events, who hosted a panel made up of row-retired Grand National-winning jockey Daryl Jacob (DJ), award-winning Racing Post journalist David Carr (DC) and SkyBet PR manager Michael Shinners (MS).
The three horse racing experts gave their thoughts and tips for the Festival, and we have kindly pulled them altogether (you’re welcome) so you can bash the bookmakers.
Cheltenham Festival news: Nicky Henderson backs Constitution Hill for Cheltenham glory at preview night
With the Cheltenham Festival just days away, legendary trainer Nicky Henderson is brimming with confidence about Constitution Hill’s chances of defending his Champion Hurdle crown.
Speaking at Old Gold Racing’s Cheltenham Preview Night at Clarkson’s pub, Henderson declared his superstar hurdler is “good to go” as he prepares to take on a highly competitive field.
Cheltenham Festival news: Ballyadam at his best, Ginny’s Destiny and No Ordinary Joe worth a shout
Ratings experts Timeform have highlighted three handicappers that have recorded standout figures at Cheltenham’s unique course, with last year’s Coral Cup runner-up Ballyadam topping the list.
Ginny’s Destiny and No Ordinary Joe, who both also finished second at the Festival last year, are two others not to be underestimated at Prestbury Park.