Profiting from racing in February

Race horse trainers are creatures of habit and the following trainers historically perform well during February, with the type of runners they do best with highlighted.

(Figures from 2003 unless otherwise stated.)

Nicky Henderson has won two races at Royal Ascot, so it comes as no surprise to find that numerically he is the top trainer of NH Flat runners and has trained over 50 more than his nearest rival Paul Nicholls. The Debutants and LTO winners provided all but 4 of the winners; debutants in particular did well winning 11 from 31 for a 31% ROI.

The Gary Moore Hurdlers won 20% of their races at this time of year, however nearly half of them went off in double figures and only one of the big priced runners won. The debutants also had a poor record and following the runners in non Handicaps with the benefit of a run would have seen you make a blind profit in every year since 2004 at this time of year.

He did particularly well at his two local jumps courses Fontwell and Plumpton and the runners at Folkestone also did well.

Gary Moore has always had a good reputation as a trainer of younger horses and it comes as no surprise to find that his juveniles won half of their 18 races, also look out for a horse ridden by his son Jamie, who is a more than competent jock as 18 winners at a strike rate of just over 50% testifies to.

Venetia Williams’ handicap hurdlers are usually in fine fettle at this time of year as 25 winners, with an 18% strike rate and a blind return of 20% shows.

The favourites won 13 of their 32 races for a healthy 44% ROI, but runners from outside the first two in the market only won 2 of their fifteen races.LTO Winners still had a bit in hand with 7 winners from 18 races for a 22% return.

Jonjo O’Neill does well with his handicap hurdlers at this time of year and following them blindly would have seen you make a nominal profit since 2003 and in each of the past three seasons.

The runners priced 12/1 or bigger won only 2 races, so it paid to concentrate on the runners that went off in single figures. The younger runners also struggled and the 6 and 7 year old runners were the age group to concentrate on; they provided all but 2 of the winners and were highly profitable to follow. Like Venetia Williams the LTO Winners had a bit in hand winning 6 of their 14 races for a 78% return.

All the best Mark