Ante-post Betting Positives & Negatives

Lots of punters love an ante-post bet. Personally, I can't say I've had much luck with this form of betting. However, my brother, Tony, had a big win on Finsceal Beo in 2007 (I know it was a long time ago). Jim Bolger's exceptional filly literally flew home at Newmarket. I'm pretty sure he bet at at odds of 11/2 and won a couple of grand. It all seemed very straightforward and watching the race that day very exciting. 

You can see the race here.

Another friend who loves his ante-post bets is Lowestoft pro gambler Jerry Banks who has done very well with some inspired bets. He has a few wagers lined up for the 1000 guineas including John Gosden's Commissioning who he got 25/1. Now at odds of 6/1 he looks to have a very good chance. (You can see her victory in the Fillies' Mile, below). 

Here is a beginners guide to ante-post betting.

 

Ante-post betting is a type of betting that involves placing bets on events, usually sports events, well in advance of the event itself. In the world of horse racing, ante-post betting is a popular form of wagering, where punters place bets on upcoming races days, weeks, or even months before they are due to take place. While ante-post betting can be exciting, it comes with both positives and negatives.

One of the positives of ante-post betting is that it allows punters to take advantage of potentially lucrative odds. Since the bets are placed well in advance of the event, the odds may be more generous, as there is more uncertainty about the outcome. This means that punters may be able to get better odds on their selection than they would if they waited until closer to the event.

Another positive of ante-post betting is the thrill of betting on something that is yet to happen. For many punters, the anticipation of the event can be almost as exciting as the event itself. Ante-post betting can also allow punters to study the form and make more informed decisions about their bets, as they have more time to research and analyse the competitors.

However, there are also some negatives to ante-post betting. One of the main drawbacks is that the bets are not guaranteed. If the selection is withdrawn from the event before the race, the bet is usually lost. This can be frustrating for punters who have already placed a significant amount of money on their selection, only to see it withdrawn from the race. 

Another negative of ante-post betting is that the odds can change significantly as the event draws closer. This means that the value of the bet may decrease, or even disappear altogether, as the odds become less favourable. This can be frustrating for punters who have placed their bets early in the hope of getting better odds, only to see the odds change in the days leading up to the event.

One example of a successful ante-post bet on a horse that was heavily gambled is the case of Dawn Run, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1986. Dawn Run was a mare, and at the time, no mare had ever won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. However, despite this, punters began to place significant bets on Dawn Run in the weeks leading up to the race.

By the day of the race, Dawn Run had been heavily backed, and her odds had been cut from 16/1 to 7/2. The punters who had placed their bets on Dawn Run were rewarded for their faith, as she went on to win the race, becoming the first mare ever to do so.

In conclusion, ante-post betting can be an exciting form of wagering, allowing punters to take advantage of potentially lucrative odds and study the form in more depth. However, it comes with the risk that the bets are not guaranteed, and the odds can change significantly before the event takes place. Punters who are considering ante-post betting should weigh up the positives and negatives before placing their bets, and remember that there is always an element of risk involved in betting.

Author: Jason 

Graphic: Canva