What Is The Best Type Of Race To Bet On?

Most horse racing punters have certain types of race that they prefer to stick to for betting purposes.

I would like to hear OLBG members' thoughts on the best types of race to bet on and which types of bet to make. 

For me personally it's the upper end of the class scale, mostly class 4 handicaps or above.

I find handicap betting the best form of race to bet on because they are nearly always competitive races meaning competitive odds are offered. 

I also like the fact that it all comes down to a number. A horse's official rating and whether or not the horse is better than that rating.

Personally I like to bet on lightly raced handicappers that have run in strong handicaps previously but whatever the method of picking winners.

I think handicaps are the best betting medium and I think for most punters it's probably the same. 

Luck in running aside, handicaps are won by the best-handicapped horse IN THE CONDITIONS ON THE DAY and figuring them out is a challenge I find extremely interesting.

There are many different conditions to consider, distance, going and draw some of the most obvious but also pace bias and track bias are important factors these days. 

The more time you spend studying a handicap the more likely you are to find the winner and I find even the ‘shock' results in these races aren't that shocking if you look at the form hard enough.

I also dabble in classier contests, Group races and to a lesser extent listed races but only when I think there is a value bet. 

We quite often get short-priced favourites in these types of race and conditions are against those favourites more often than many would think allowing decent bets to be had on slightly bigger priced runners in the same events who have conditions in their favour. 

There isn't always as much value in group contests as handicaps but that is usually reflected in the relative ease in which group races can be figured out.

I have very little interest in betting in maidens, claimers or sellers. 

In maidens, I find there is often too little form on offer in the better class contests to allow me to draw strong enough conclusions. 

As for sellers and claimers, the horses dropping into these races are usually well exposed and out of form which doesn't make a great betting race in my eyes.

So what do people prefer to bet on and why? 

Does anyone only concentrate on group races? 

Are handicaps deemed too difficult and unpredictable by some to bet on? 

Is there still value to be had in the lesser races such as sellers and claimers? 

If you are interested in finding winners (who isn't?) please check out How To Find Winners - 101 Tips To Choose A Winning Horse Racing Bet