The Program does thorough analysis of all of the following:

1. Past Racing Form – reviewing the past record of a what a horse has done on the racecourse in previous starts, if applicable. Applying a weight or score to what the horse has achieved in the past is vital.

2. Unknown Factors – these can include things like fitness, workouts, gallop experience, trainer form, pedigree, and many other things. There are always factors you won’t be able to consider. But knowing the most important ones in each given race scenario is key.

3. Quantifying Those Factors – here comes the tricky part. How do all factors covered by the two categories above, stack up? And how big an impact do they have on the horse’s chance?  Form Finder, II does a great job of determining that.
   

4. Odds Analysis – once you’ve weighed everything up, what tale does the market tell? Is your fancy bad value, and smaller odds than make you interested? Or are the odds far higher than you guessed, potentially making the bet great value?

As well as:

 (we spent many years trying to discern form in overseas races, which actually helped the design of Form Finder, II immensley since form is so much easier to compute over here)

• Race Type – handicaps, maidens, claimers, Group/Graded races. Learning what these are and their impact on the setup of the race is key information.

• Race Class – this one is obvious. If a horse is going to win on merit, it needs to run in the right race. Horses that are racing above their class limit will struggle to win. Others that belong in a higher class may have a huge advantage.

• Race Distance – horse races in the UK & Ireland take place from 5 furlongs (1,200 yards) to as far as 4 miles 4 furlongs (7,200 yards) and even our computer models cannot locate form consistently over there. Races in America are run at many more distances, and their form overall is much more predictable.  A horse’s distance preference is a major analysis factor. Even a difference of one furlong can have vast implications on the race outcome.

• Racecourse – ever heard the expression ‘horses for courses’? The phrase relates to horses preferences over certain racecourses. In the British Isles, the layout of our racecourses varies a lot. In America, very little difference so much more predictable.  Most all-weather courses are also very similar.

• Going – Some horses hit the ground hard with their hooves, and are very strong. They can handle heavy, muddy conditions far better than most. Other horses skip over the ground and might be lightly-framed, built for speed. Theses horses usually love a good surface or firmer. You need to work out how much a horse will enjoy today’s ground conditions.

• Number Of Runners – smaller fields usually mean smaller odds, but they’re usually easier to win. And some horses prefer racing against fewer opponents. Other horses relish being in big fields of horses, and always show their best in these races.

• Draw – in Flat races on turf or all-weather, each horse is drawn in a different starting gate in the starting stalls. Depending on the course, distance and ground, the draw can have a massive effect on a horse’s chances.

• Weight – in most races, the horses will not all carry the exact same weight. In handicaps, horses will carry different weights based on their official rating. Measured in imperial pounds, each pound of weight has a bigger impact the further a horse has to carry it. That’s why, especially in longer races, small weight differences can have a lot of impact.

• Recent Placings – In the money and close-up finishes are critical to determining form. Needless to say, lots of 1/2/3 finishes shows a horse is in great racing form. A series worst finishes usually means the opposite!

• Trainer – how good is the trainer of this horse? Are they in good form? Do they usually win this type or class of race? Trainers vary in skill as much as the athletes do in human sports. Knowing the trainers and whether they’re poor, great or somewhere in-between is important. Also, if their horses are all running well, this is usually a great signal. On the flip side, if they have had 50 runners without a win, what makes you think that is about to change?

• Jockey – the skill and form of the jockey riding the horse can also vary a huge amount. The best jockeys improve the chance of a horse significantly. A poor or inexperienced rider might be a real detriment to the horse. Again, knowledge acquired through experience and analysis is vital.

• Days Since Last Run – some horses run well fresh, which usually means they’ve had at least 40 days off the racetrack. Some trainers are great at getting horses ready to win without a recent run. However, some horses do not run well after a break. If they are heavily-built horses, or lazy in nature during their daily exercise, a lack of recent run is a worry. Also, some horses might run just a day or two after their last start. Are they tired? Did they win easily and seem to have plenty left in the tank? Did they have a very hard race, and come here likely to be tired?

“I cut my teeth on Tom Hambleton’s Form Points, which listed dozens of form indicators, and while it was super accurate, it took a long time to figure each race.  I see that not only are most of Tom’s Point Factors included here, but a whole lot more.  I knew immediately this software was a winner when I saw how many horses hit the board and the fact that a whole lot of big prices, 10/1 to 50/1, finished in the Exacta and Trifecta.  It’s just amazing at what computers can do these days.  Thanks so much for this!”  Carlson Turner, Annapolis, MD

“Determining current Form has always been my bugaboo.  My brain just couldn’t wrap around all the factors that were required to whether or not a horse is ready to roll.  Form Finder, II, totally solved that puzzle for me.  This is excellent work and I know it is a program I will be using until my dying day!”  Stu Lambert, Hot Springs, AR