This means that the sectional time that we expect from any other dog that is impeded will not be what we expect it to be.

So for example in our screen shot we looked at earlier our trap five may not have had an advantage if he was impeded by others along the way. To assess the likelihood of any dog getting to the line as quickly as we expect we need to look at its previous races and those of the dogs around it to predict any problems.

Predicting likely trouble from the traps is more of an art than a science but there are clues a plenty in the greyhounds' past form. First off you want to look for comments in the previous races of the runners. If a runner is slow or very slow away consistently then this is an advantage for the adjacent runners as they will have clear space around them.

Also look for comments regarding a dogs position at the start. You might find an indication that a dog heads for the rails at the start or heads wide at the start EG RlsStt would indicate that the dog in question headed for the inside rail at the start. When you see comments like this you have to put them into the context of todays race.

For example if a dog earns the comment RlsStt but is in trap one today then the comment is not relevant. However if he is in trap two then it may have negative consequences for trap one but be a positive sign for trap three.

Also look at what trap each dog has been running from if a dog is used to trap one but is today in trap three then it may be that he will head to his regular position near the rails.

Use all of the relevant comments and information to build a picture in your mind of how the run to the bend will pan out. Before I get into the specifics of finding winning dogs by reading the form I want to just give a bit more background info and talk about a method I used to use when I was full time betting the greyhounds….

Finding the winning greyhound in a graded race is about a lot more than the times it has achieved in the past. Graded racing is the greyhound equivalent of a handicap race except that greyhounds are not allocated any sort of handicap to slow them down.

The Racing Managers job is to put together races that are as closely matched as possible and to, if you like, create a puzzle for the punters. On course bookmaking at greyhound tracks is notoriously hard, mainly because when money talks in a small market there are not the opportunities to balance out a book.

This is the reason that on course overrounds are huge at greyhound tracks and the reason that the Racing Manager does his best to make the races as decipherable as possible.

As with any activity, knowledge equals power or in this case the more you know the more profitable you can be. The ultimate level of knowledge is to have watched every race ever run by every dog in the race to hand and to know how each has been performing at home.

Many trainers these days have some sort of track at their own kennels. It is unlikely that you can get inside info on every dog in a race but you can often get to see every race a dog has run. For some years now tracks have supplied videos of all races run to those prepared to pay for the privilege.

And the backer who focuses on one particular track can, given time, watch every run of a particular animal. However this is an expensive, although ultimately profitable, approach.

I will briefly touch on the things to watch out for when race watching here and then we'll get on to a more form based approach. They are likely faster than the bare form suggests. If you are in the bookies watching the BAGS racing and you see a dog that had a hard race make a note of it and check the results to see what time it did and estimate what time you think it should have done,.

It may be a good bet next time out. This info can be useful in assessing the chances of the dog in question and other dogs. Chasers, who are not really up for it will win less than their share of races because they don't like to be in front. Once we have found a dog that looks like it will have a favourable position, ideally in front, at the first bend and will not get any trouble on the way to the bend then all you need to know now is whether it is fast enough to hold onto its lead.

It is very common to find a dog that will get a clear run around and will lead most of the way in a race only to lose in the closing stages. The key clue to whether we are dealing with this kind of dog is its past race positions.

If it has led previously all the way but still not won then you need to find a reason why it might hang on today. Maybe it is an easier race today maybe a lower grade.

Maybe it is fitter today, if the last run came after rest or it is a puppy who is improving. Because graded races are in theory constructed such that any dog could win, other than the types mentioned above, I tend to not pay too much attention to the previous times recorded by each dog.

As long as my selection is not way slower than the opposition then I am likely to go with it. The exceptions to this are where I can see a reason why one of the opposition might improve.

These include…. Young dogs that are just starting out on their careers and can improve in leaps and bounds. Rested dogs. Dogs that have been off for a rest and are not yet running to their pre rest form. EG If they were running A4 grade before their rest but are now reappearing in an A6 then it is likely that at sometime soon they will return to the previous grade IE they are better than their opposition.

Bitches that have been in season. When they return they tend to find significant improvement at around 16 weeks after their season commenced.

This tendency is significant enough to be a profitable strategy in itself. If you have narrowed a race down to two or three contenders then consider splitting your stakes between them. Splitting stakes across multiple selections is a strategy I use a lot in greyhound racing.

You can either bet the same stake on each dog or adjust your stake so you make the same profit whichever of your selections wins. You can use our dutching tool that will help you determine the correct stakes for dutching selections.

And that is the method that I use to find winning greyhound selections. As with any betting method you are looking for a dog with a strong chance of winning and one that has a better chance than the available odds suggest. There is no clear cut selection ever, because if a dog is an obvious winner then the odds will reflect that.

This free greyhound betting system has worked consistently for 50 years. Because of limited space greyhound race cards use a lot of abbreviations, some are obvious some not so much, below we have listed them all. At most tracks either trap 1 or trap 6 wins the most because they have the advantage of no other greyhound to one side, but it's not always the case and you should check the stats published by the track you are betting at.

Image courtesy of Saris under Creative Commons 2. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Daily Punt Home - Racing Post and Betfair Greyhound Form Guide Racing Post and Betfair Greyhound Form Guide by Dave French September 1, February 10, In terms of quantifiable statistics, look at the following specific factors: Winning Frequency : One of the most predictive factors; higher past winning leads to shorter odds.

Finishing Position : Consistent top-3 finishes can be a sign of a competitive greyhound. Time : The time the greyhound has finished at in various distances directly points towards their speed and agility.

A table summarizing the above could look as follows: Factor Impact on Betting Odds Winning Frequency Shortens Odd Consistent Top-3 Placement Shortens Odd Faster Finishing Time Shortens Odd Health Condition Whether a greyhound is in prime health condition plays a crucial role in determining their form and ultimately their betting odds.

Age : Younger dogs 1. Well-being : Visible signs of ill health such as being underweight or overheated could lengthen odds. Weather : Certain dogs excel in dry weather while others perform under wet conditions.

Distance : Some greyhounds are sprint racers, while others are distance runners. Specialty : Certain trainers specialize in specific breeds or race types, potentially giving their greyhounds an edge.

Impact of Preferred Box Position Greyhounds often display a preference for a particular starting box, which can influence their performance in a race. The main factors related to box position that could impact the odds are: Inside Box Preference : Some dogs perform better when they are closer to the rail, preferring boxes 1,2,3.

Outside Box Preference : Other greyhounds excel when they are in the outer lanes, typically favoring boxes 6,7,8. Middle Box Comfort : Certain greyhounds seem unfazed by their box position and do well from the middle boxes 4,5.

Box Preference Impact on Betting Odds Inside Preference Shortens Odds if in boxes 1,2,3 Outside Preference Shortens Odds if in boxes 6,7,8 Middle Comfort Shortens Odds if in boxes 4,5 Race Strategies Greyhounds often employ particular race strategies depending on their running style, which can have a significant effect on the betting odds.

These different strategies are key factors to consider: Early Speed or Breakers : These dogs are typically faster out of the gate and try to maintain their lead throughout the race. Middle Pace Runners : These greyhounds often run well during the middle of the race, gambling on the front-runners slowing down as the race progresses.

Strong Finishers or Closers : These dogs usually save their energy for the end, coming from behind to overtake their tired competitors. Race Strategy Impact on Betting Odds Early Speed Shortens Odds Middle Pace Runners Variable Effect Strong Finishers Can Lengthen Odds Earlier in Betting Process, Odds Shorten Nearer to Race Start Breeding and Pedigree The breeding lines of a greyhound can also impact betting odds.

Breed Traits : Certain breeds of greyhounds are known for specific traits such as speed, stamina, or agility, which can factor into odds. To make more accurate betting predictions, these aspects of the competition should be considered: Field Strength : A race with multiple high-performers will lengthen the odds for all greyhounds involved.

Similar Running Styles : When several greyhounds in a race have the same running style, they may interfere with one another, potentially affecting individual odds. Historical Match-ups : Past races featuring the same set of competing greyhounds give insight into their performance against each other.

Competition Factor Impact on Betting Odds Strong Field Lengthens Odds Similar Running Styles Variable Effect on Odds Historical Match-ups Affects Odds Based on Past Performances Track-Specific Performance Some greyhounds are particularly skillful on specific tracks and might have a history of success at certain venues.

Pay attention to the following: Familiarity with the Track : Greyhounds that are well-acquainted with a specific track could have an edge over their opponents, shortening their odds. Track Record : A history of success at a specific track may be indicative of future performance and affect odds accordingly.

Track Configuration : Some greyhounds may prefer tracks with unique features, such as more turns, different slopes, or specific track materials.

Track-Specific Factor Impact on Betting Odds Track Familiarity Shortens Odds Track Record Influences Odds Based on Success Track Configuration Shortens Odds for Suited Greyhounds Yet-to-be Proven Greyhounds Greyhounds new to racing or transitioning from a different class of races can be harder to predict and might impact betting odds due to a lack of information on their form.

When considering yet-to-be proven greyhounds, pay attention to these elements: Debutantes : Greyhounds making their racing debut can potentially offer longer odds due to a lack of historical data on their ability.

Transitioning Greyhounds : Greyhounds moving between different race classes or distances may affect their form and consequently their odds.

Returning Greyhounds : Greyhounds returning from injury, or a long break, may have their odds lengthened due to concerns about their form and fitness.

Track Bias Sometimes, certain tracks may show a pattern favoring particular types of runners or specific box positions. Some track bias factors include: Inside Bias : Whether the track typically favors greyhounds starting from the inner boxes.

Outside Bias : If the track generally benefits greyhounds from outer boxes. Bias for Running Styles : Certain tracks might favor early speed, strong finishers, or middle pace runners. Track Bias Factor Impact on Betting Odds Inside Bias Shortens Odds for Inner Box Runners Outside Bias Shortens Odds for Outer Box Runners Style Bias Adjusts Odds Based on Running Style Grading and Classification Greyhounds are usually classified into grades that denote the level of competition.

The specifics often depend on the jurisdiction, but common elements include: Ability-Based Classification : Greyhounds are frequently classified by ability, affecting the level of competition they face.

Moving Up or Down Grades : A greyhound moving up in class faces tougher competition, which may lengthen odds. Consistency in Specific Grades : If a greyhound consistently performs well in its current grade, it can influence their odds favorably.

When considering weight trends: Stable Weight : Consistency in weight may lead to shorter odds as it often indicates good health. Weight Gain : This could potentially lengthen odds, although it may signify improved condition if the dog was previously underweight.

Weight Loss : Severe weight loss may cause concern and hence lengthen odds unless the change was intended for improved performance. Specific Race Success : Some trainers specialize in specific types of races. A greyhound trained by someone with expertise in a given race type could see favorable odds.

Improvement Under Currently Assigned Trainer : A greyhound showing considerable improvement under a new trainer may get shorter odds. A dog known to run well in wet conditions might see shortened odds on a rainy day. Dogs that excel in hot or cold weather might see shorter odds under those conditions.

Dogs known to do well in high or low humidity could see corresponding changes in odds. Young Greyhounds : These are often less predictable but may offer enticing longer odds due to their potential and less established form. Prime Age Greyhounds : These dogs are generally in their prime racing age and might see shorter odds due to proven form.