A tip is only worth following if you can see how it's chosen and how the tipster's bets have done over time. This page explains both, because a tipster who hides their working, or their losers, isn't worth following.
What we look at before every selection
- Form: recent finishing positions, but also how each race was run and whether the horse was unlucky.
- Ground and trip: many horses have a clear preference for soft or quick going, or for a certain distance.
- The handicap mark: a horse dropped a few pounds after running well can be well treated.
- Trainer and jockey form: yards go through hot and cold spells.
- The draw on the Flat, which matters at some courses far more than others.
- The price: we only tip a horse when we think the odds are bigger than its real chance.
New to form guides? Start with how to read a racecard.
Our staking plan
We stake in points so results can be compared whatever your budget. One point is a fixed unit you choose, for example 1% of the money you have set aside for betting.
| Confidence | Stake |
|---|---|
| NAP (strongest bet of the day) | 2 pts win |
| Next best | 1 pt win |
| Each-way pick | 0.5 pt each way (1 pt total) |
We settle every bet at the price we advised, or at the starting price when that is bigger and the bet qualifies for Best Odds Guaranteed.
How we measure results
Strike rate is the share of bets that won: winners divided by bets, times 100. Return on investment (ROI) is profit divided by total points staked, times 100. A tipster can have a low strike rate and still make a profit if the winners come at big enough prices, so we publish both.
Every bet goes into the record, including non-runners and losers. Here is the layout we use:
| Date | Selection | Bet | Advised | SP | Result | Profit/loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example date | Harbour Lights | 2 pts win | 9/4 | 2/1 | Won | +4.50 pts |
| Example date | Copper Kettle | 1 pt win | 7/2 | 4/1 | Unplaced | -1.00 pt |
| Example date | Moonlit Ferry | 0.5 pt e/w | 12/1 | 10/1 | 3rd | +1.00 pt |
Example rows: replace these with your real results. Settle each-way returns using the place terms on the day.
What we will never do
We will never promise guaranteed winners, hide losing runs or suggest that betting is a way to make money you need. Racing is unpredictable: long losing runs happen to every tipster, which is why stakes should stay small and fixed.
FAQs
What does NAP mean in horse racing tips?
NAP is a tipster's strongest selection of the day. The term comes from the card game Napoleon, where calling 'nap' means bidding to win every trick. Most tipsters stake more on the NAP than on their other selections.
What is a good strike rate for a racing tipster?
It depends on the prices. A tipster backing favourites might need a strike rate above 35% to profit, while one tipping at 10/1 and bigger can profit with far fewer winners. Judge a tipster on long-term profit and ROI across hundreds of bets, not on strike rate alone.
What is a point in betting tips?
A point is a unit of stake that you set yourself, such as £1, £5 or 1% of your betting bank. Tipsters quote stakes in points so their record means the same thing whatever each reader bets.