When it comes to big races, many punters like to play an ante-post bet, which is also known as future betting. You might see ante-post markets a long time before a race, or even just a couple of days prior to the encounter.
Basically, if you place an ante-post bet, you’re betting on the outcome of a race before the final declarations have been made. So, you do take the risk that your horses will become a non-runner.
As you have backed the horse knowing that there’s a chance of it becoming a non-runner, you don’t get your money back on should it be withdrawn.
For that reason, most punters do like to wait until the declarations are made and this is usually around 24 hours before the race.
However, there are some upsides to betting through the ante-post market as you don’t have any Rule 4 deductions in the event of another horse becoming a non-runner. If you’re unsure of what Rule 4 is, simply click here.
Also, there can be some great value in the ante-post market as there’s the element of risk involved and the field is usually much larger to the one that is finally declared. If you feel as though the horse has a good chance of running, then it might be worth backing them in the ante-post market, especially if the odds are really tempting.
Just be aware that should they not run, you won’t be getting any money back.
