Ante Post Betting Guide – The Ante Post Bet Explained

This is our guide to ante post betting in the sport of horse racing. We explain what it is, discuss the pros and cons and talk about the biggest events this type of wager is available. We also highlight ante post betting rules and give some tips on how to make it work for you, so you understand it from all angles.

Top Horse Racing Betting Sites in the UK

  • All
  • Horse Racing
#1 UK Horse Racing Betting Site

Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets

23/10/23

Bet £10 Get £60 in Free Bets

  • Newly Launched UK Bookie
  • 10 weekly Profit Boosts on horses
  • Best Odds Guaranteed on day
9.9
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
New customers only. 7 days to place a qualifying bet to receive 6 x Free Bets: 4 x £10 Horse racing, 2 x £10 Acca Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. T&Cs apply. 18+ begambleaware.org

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets

29/12/23

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets

  • Daily horse racing specials
  • Plenty of ante post markets
  • Each-Way Plus promotion
9.8
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
T&Cs apply. New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.

50% of First Day Losses Back As a Free Bet Up To £25

09/03/22

50% of First Day Losses Back As a Free Bet Up To £25

  • 4 free bet refund deals
  • Up to £100 back on promos
  • BOG from 7am on racedays
9.8
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
2
New customer offer only. Must have a minimum of 3 bets of £10 at ods of evens (2.0) or bigger on first day. First day losses equals all settled stakes less all returns. Free bets must be used in their entirety and stakes are deducted from returns. If this promotion is withdrawn it will not impact any qualifying bet you have placed during promotional period

Get 50% Of Your Money Back As A Free Bet If Your Horse Finishes 2nd In Any Live ITV Race

31/05/23

Get 50% Of Your Money Back As A Free Bet If Your Horse Finishes 2nd In Any Live ITV Race

  • Great Greyhound coverage
  • Offers easy Build-a-Bet
  • Physical shops available
9.8
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
Offer open to new and existing qualifying customers. Applies to all SINGLE WIN only bets (NOT any part of EW OR MULTIPLE BETS) placed after 8:30am on day of race on the race winner market. Maximum Refund of £25 per race per customer. Applies to all IT

Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

10/07/23

Bet £10 Get £50 in Bonuses

  • Established horse racing bookie
  • Great bonuses for system bets
  • Extra Places races every day
9.8
5 Stars
Use bonus code
Copied
WELCOME40
Copy
Copy
Visit Site
Learn More
1
New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required. Full T&Cs apply.

Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets

14/04/23

Bet £10, Get £20 in Free Bets

  • Weekly Free Acca Bet
  • Live Football Streaming
  • Cash Out Feature
9.7
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
2
T&Cs apply. *New members. Offer not available 15/04/23. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from crediting (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+

Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

08/03/23

Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets

  • Spread free bets include horses
  • Fixed odds and buy / sell option
  • Aggregate markets also available
9.7
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
18+ begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free fixed odds bets + 4 x £5 free spread bets. Ts&Cs Apply.

Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets

28/03/23

Bet £5, Get £20 in Free Bets

  • Tote+ enhanced dividends
  • Pool betting with SP guaranteed
  • Free horse racing live streaming
9.7
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
1
New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £5 and win or lose you will receive £20 Tote Credit. £20 Tote Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and £10 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. UK & ROI customers only. 18+.  Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleaware.org Full T&Cs apply.

Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet

09/03/22

Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet

  • Swift For Cash Out
  • Simple Betting App
  • Make Fast Withdrawals
9.6
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
1
This offer is for new customers only and is available once per household. Max. FreeBet amount: £10 Minimum Deposit and wagering on sport to activate the Free Bet is: £10 Void/cancelled or cashed out bets do not count towards wagering to activate the free bet. Offer valid only to customers making a first deposit of £10 or more.

Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bet

06/03/23

Bet £10 Get £15 Free Bet

  • Top welcome package
  • Great VIP program
  • Various payment methods
9.6
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, Min Deposit: £10, max £15 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at a min. odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement of the bet. Full T&C's apply.

Bet £10 & Get £20 In Free Bets

21/12/22

Bet £10 & Get £20 In Free Bets

  • Esports & virtuals specialist, all major sports found
  • Bet builder club, Acca and daily boosts on offer
  • Swift payouts, PayPal accepted
9.6
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
18+ New UK Customers. Must bet £10 in total on 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). £20 credited as Free Bets. Free Bets expire after 7 days, stake not returned. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org

50% First Deposit Bonus Up To £50

13/10/23

50% First Deposit Bonus Up To £50

  • Up to 100% acca boost
  • Daily free bet promotions
  • Competitive odds on all sports
9.5
4.5 Stars
Use bonus code
Copied
PLAY10
Copy
Copy
Visit Site
Learn More
0
New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply; T&C apply; 18+

Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets

14/04/23

Bet £10 Get £20 In Free Bets

  • Live streaming for horse racing
  • Daily 3/1 Winner free bet bonus
  • Weekly Acca deal covers horses
9.4
4.5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
1
*New members. Offer not available 15/04/23 £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Rules & Exclusions apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. T&Cs apply, 18+

Bet £10 Get £20 + Free Bet If 2nd To SP Fav

28/09/21

Bet £10 Get £20 + Free Bet If 2nd To SP Fav

  • Free Bet if 2nd to SP favourite deal
  • Plenty of extra place races each day
  • Acca Insurance and BOG on multiples
9.6
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
1
*New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Payment method restrictions. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.**18+. Opt in. UK/IRE customers only. Max refund £/€20. Win or win part of e/w outright singles only. 5 or more runners. 1st bet on each race. Free bet expires after 7 days. Free/void/antepost bets don’t qualify. T&Cs apply

Bet £5 Get £5 Free Bet + 10 Free Spins

19/04/23

Bet £5 Get £5 Free Bet + 10 Free Spins

  • A popular sports live streaming platform
  • Live stream available
  • Regular price boost promotions offered
9.6
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
New customers only. Min £5 deposit and bet on odds 1/2 or greater required. Free bet and free spins issued within 24 hours of qualifying bet being settled. Free bet valid for 6 months, stake not returned. Free spins valid for 7 days, selected games only. UK only excl Northern Ireland. 18+ T&Cs apply.

50% Back up to £35 Free Bet + 10 Free Spins

17/11/22

50% Back up to £35 Free Bet + 10 Free Spins

  • Horse Racing Acca Bonus
  • Free Bet if 2nd to favourite
  • Watch and stream races for free
9.5
4.5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
2
To activate this promotion you must deposit and stake a minimum of £10. You must place a minimum of 5 rounds during the qualifying period and 4 of these rounds must be at least half the value of your highest placed wager. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org

Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365

03/07/23

Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365

  • 20+ betting offers for all customers
  • Deposit via PayPal, Trustly and Apple Pay
  • Great live streaming and mobile app
9.8
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
2
Registration required. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply.

Bet £15 Get £10 Free Bet

13/12/21

Bet £15 Get £10 Free Bet

  • 2021 launched UK Bookmakers
  • Good Focus On In Play
  • Extra Winnings on Accumulators
9.7
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: £10, max £10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply

£30 Matched Free Bet if your 1st Football Acca loses

16/12/21

£30 Matched Free Bet if your 1st Football Acca loses

  • Well established company
  • Daily boosted offers
  • Over 35 sports to bet on
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
Key Terms - New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Debit card deposits only. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ BeGambleAware.org Full Terms Apply

Bet £10 And Get A £10 Free Bet

03/11/22

Bet £10 And Get A £10 Free Bet

  • Mobile friendly site and betting app
  • £5 free virtual sports bet available
  • Odds are better than the industry average
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
DEPOSIT AND BET £10 MINIMUM ODDS 1/2 (1.50) / £10 FREEBET / VALID 7 DAYS / T&CS APPLY / 18+ / BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG

50% Cashback On Net Spread Losses Up To £500

31/01/23

50% Cashback On Net Spread Losses Up To £500

  • Spread betting and fixed-odds betting both available
  • A risk-free demo account is available
  • Great mobile App
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
Offer available to new customers that reside in UK & Eire only. Eligibility checks and T&Cs apply - for more info see account operating rules. Receive cashback of 50% of cumulative net losses on all qualifying spread bets placed and settled within the first 7 days of account opening. Cashback credited to your account up to a maximum of £500.  Only bets placed AND settled on real spread betting markets will be considered as qualifying bets. Any bet that settles outside of first 7 days will not count. Virtual spreads games and fully, partially or reverse closed bets excluded from the promotion. Spread betting involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits. Full terms apply.

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £50 & 100 Spins

03/11/23

100% Welcome Bonus Up To £50 & 100 Spins

  • Up to 77% more extra winnings on you Combo wins
  • 2022 launched UK online sportsbook
  • Early cash out & bet builder available too
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
1
18+. New Players Only. Min. deposit £20. Max bonus allowed is £50. Offer duration upon receiving is valid for 2 weeks (14 days). Max Win from spins is £100. 35x wagering applies both for bonus and spins part. Spins are credited on specific games (Starburst). Spins expire after 24 hours if unused. Full T&Cs Apply.

Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet Token

22/03/22

Bet £10 Get £10 Free Bet Token

NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
2
18+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit: £10, max £10 bonus, valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets no eligible.

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets

10/11/23

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets

  • Superb live streaming service
  • Filter horses with BetFinder tool
  • Each Way + deal for horses
9.4
5 Stars
Use bonus code
Copied
30FXS
Copy
Copy
Visit Site
Learn More
0
#ad. 18+ Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days and expires after 14 days • Bonus valid on selected Casino games only • Bonus wins capped at £500, excluding Jackpot wins • You must wager Bonus amount x40 – this requirement varies by game. Full T&C’s apply. BeGambleAware

Bet £20 Get £50 Free Bet

11/05/23

Bet £20 Get £50 Free Bet

  • Useful results centre stats
  • 2022 launched UK bookmaker
  • Comprehensive coverage of eSports
9.4
5 Stars
Use bonus code
Copied
FBSBET
Copy
Copy
Visit Site
Learn More
0
18+ | UK New Players Only | Opt-in Required | Min £20 qualifying bets, stake not returned | Free bet – one-time stake of £50, min odds 1.7, stake not returned | Bonus Code: FBSBET | 1X wager the winnings | Wager from real balance first | Wager calculated on bonus bets only | Max conversion: £200 | Valid for 7 Days from issue | Excluded Skrill & Neteller deposits | Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses | Full Terms apply

Bet £10 Get £30 Free Bet

09/12/21

Bet £10 Get £30 Free Bet

  • Excellent World Cup coverage
  • Excellent live betting features
  • Fair World Cup free bet T&Cs
9.7
5 Stars
Use bonus code
Copied
SB30
Copy
Copy
Visit Site
Learn More
0
New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds 1.5, stake not returned.1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds. Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 200. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses .

What is Ante Post Betting

Ante post betting

An ante post bet, often hyphenated to ante-post, is a wager placed on a horse race prior to final declarations. Traditionally, prior to the growth of off-track gambling and online betting sites, it applied to any bet made before the on-course market opened.

Ante is another word for the stake, the amount of money in the wager. It also comes from the Latin meaning before or prior to in time. Post, meanwhile, is a reference to the Betting Post. This upright, not to be confused with the winning post, was erected to signal the start of fixed odds horse racing betting on a racecourse during the Nineteenth Century.

Today, ante post bets are made before the final field for a race is known. Such wagers come with great expectations. Horse racing ante post betting is something punters undertake with a view to getting better odds. The goal is to not just beat but far exceed the starting price (SP) that a runner is returned at.

Ante Post Betting Rules

When you bet ante post, there are certain rules on horse racing betting sites that come with this type of wager. The main one is very simple – unless stated otherwise, you aren’t guaranteed a run for your money. In other words, Non-Runner No Bet doesn’t apply to your wager. You lose your stake if the horse doesn’t line-up in the race.

There are also standard ante post each way betting terms on offer. It doesn’t matter how many runners get declared and eventually take part. If it’s a conditions race you’re betting on, then it will be a fifth of the outright win price on three places. Alternatively, handicaps are a quarter of outright odds for four places.

As time draws nearer and entries from early closing races are reduced at the penultimate declaration stage five or six days beforehand, if it then emerges that there may not be more than eight runners, bookies may alter the terms they offer. A conditions race could be reduced to a quarter of the outright win price on two places.

With handicaps when there’s likely to be less than 16 runners, the revised terms are a quarter of outright odds for three places. Another important thing about ante post betting is no Rule 4 deductions can apply to your wagers. These only come into effect and reduce what you stand to win after final declarations.

Pros & Cons of Ante Post Horse Betting

As with any form form of gambling, there are upsides and drawbacks to an ante post bet. We’ve already touched on some of these in highlighting key rules governing this wager. Here are the pros and cons of horse racing ante post betting you should know:

Pros

  • Likely to beat the Starting Price (SP)
  • No Rule 4 deductions apply
  • Potentially better each way terms
  • Better value than waiting for decs

Cons

  • No guarantee of a run for your money
  • Miss out on extra places in big field races
  • Bets not covered by Best Odds Guaranteed

Cheltenham Ante Post Betting

There is one National Hunt meeting that attracts more interest than any other. It’s the Cheltenham Festival in March. These four days see the most money gambled on the sport of horse racing than any other. In advance of the Festival, ante post Cheltenham betting is no less popular. This is because so many recognised and unofficial trials take place throughout the jumps season.

Every single race at the Festival is an early closing event. Some entries are out sooner than others with them released on an almost weekly basis between January and early March. These announcements shape ante post betting for Cheltenham as much as horse racing results from earlier in the campaign, if not more so.

The biggest races at the Festival are the first to reveal their entries. We’re talking about the Champion Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup ante post betting here, followed by the Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle. Novice hurdles and chases follow, with the handicaps and then other conditions races the last announced.

Looking at the Cheltenham odds, you will also often find the same horse entered in multiple races. This particularly prevalent with the novice hurdles and chases. It’s a cautionary tale with the Cheltenham Festival ante post betting, so you’ll need to be careful. Look for Non-Runner No Bet terms, which have become popular with bookies well in advance of this meeting.

Festival handicaps are ultra competitive, so you may miss out on five, six or even more places by betting on them early. With 28 races in total over the four days, there is plenty of Cheltenham ante post betting to go at. There are some great opportunities that this Festival affords punters unlike any other.

Grand National Ante Post Betting

No horse race in Britain or anywhere on the planet for that matter has a larger field than the Grand National at Aintree. They call it the world’s most famous steeplechase with very good reason. Much like Cheltenham’s big races, ante post betting for the Grand National is available all year round.

While you’re likely to get bigger odds by betting on this event in advance, there are also some drawbacks. The bookmakers won’t pay out beyond four or five places. Ignoring Aintree ante post betting and waiting for final decs results in shorter prices but Extra Places, Non-Runner No Bet terms and the Best Odds Guaranteed all applying your wager. Again, there are pros and cons to weigh up

With a maximum of 40 horses from the Grand National odds lining up, punters must decide if four places (a tenth of the field) or five places (an eighth) is enough bases covered for any each way bets. It’s certainly a race where hedging is fine and even encouraged due to its wide open nature. The Grand National ante post betting is full of pitfalls for punters, though, with it being so oversubscribed.

Betting on the Classics Ante Post

As the premier Flat races for three-year-olds with future careers at stud and as broodmares at stake, the Classics attract plenty of ante post bets. While the UK isn’t alone in having age-restricted events on turf (or dirt) that influence thoroughbreds via the bloodstock industry around horse racing for years to come, these contests fascinate punters.

It’s not just because ante post betting is available on the action either. Each of the British Classics, like their Irish and French counterparts, is an early closing race. That means you can study the pedigrees of entered horses early and pick out a punt even before they have run in the many recognised trials that exist throughout the spring and summer. Let’s take a look at each of the Classics in turn:

Ante Post Betting on the 2000 Guineas

First up is the 2000 Guineas, one of two Classics run at Newmarket races today and since the early Nineteenth Century. Taking place on the Saturday of the Guineas Festival in early May, this is essentially a race for three-year-old colts on the Rowley Mile, although fillies can also run in it.

Shaping the 2000 Guineas ante post betting most are key trials towards the end of the previous Flat season and a couple more earlier in the spring. These races include the National Stakes and Beresford Stakes in Ireland, the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket, and Vertem Futurity Trophy during the prior autumn. The Craven Stakes and Greenham Stakes are recognised spring trials for the 2000 Guineas, meanwhile.

1000 Guineas Ante Post Betting

Held 24 hours after the colts’ race, the 1000 Guineas for fillies only is also run over the Rowley Mile at the Headquarters of British Flat action. Trial races that influence the ante post betting on horse racing here include the Moyglare Stud Stakes in Ireland, plus the Cheveley Park Stakes and Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket the previous autumn.

In the spring, meanwhile, the Nell Gwyn and Fred Darling Stakes, with the latter run up the long home straight at Newbury races, are used to prep fillies for the 1000 Guineas. Both this and the 2000 Guineas expose stamina weaknesses in three-year-olds, because of the undulating nature of the Newmarket track even if it is straight.

The Oaks Ante Post Betting

Moving on a month or so to early June, The Oaks sees the three-year-old fillies step up to a mile-and-a-half. This is the first of two Classics at Epsom Downs races, taking place on the Friday of the Derby Festival. Influential trials include the Salsabil Stakes in Ireland, the Cheshire Oaks, Musidora Stakes at York and Lingfield Oaks Trial.

Punters shouldn’t ignore the 1000 Guineas either. Fillies staying on strongly at the finish of that race but lacking the pace to win over a mile could still catch the eye of punters and the bookies alike. Such types could also shorten in the Oaks ante post betting as well. Epsom is a unique track which certainly doesn’t suit all horses.

Ante Post Betting on The Derby

As the premier Classic, the Epsom Derby is also the UK’s richest horse race. This is held on the first Saturday in June, although it used to be on a Wednesday. Again over a mile-and-a-half, it is usually contested by colts only, although fillies can run in it instead of The Oaks if connections wish.

You’ll find Epsom Derby odds available pretty much all year round. This reflects how important this event is. Races that shape ante post betting on The Derby include the Ballysax Stakes and Derby Trial at Leopardstown in Ireland, while in the UK the Sandown Classic Trial, Lingfield Derby Trial and Dante Stakes at York are events to follow.

Win or run well in any of those, or events at Chester races during the May Festival like the Chester Vase or Dee Stakes, and a horse’s price shortens. In fact, once all of those trials happen, the Epsom Derby ante post betting often looks totally different to when it first becomes available for that year the previous summer.

Ante Post Betting on the St Leger

Much later in the Flat season with autumn almost upon us, the St Leger at Doncaster races over an extended mile-and-three-quarters is the fifth and final Classic of the campaign. This race is all about stamina with many of its winners becoming successful sires of National Hunt racehorses in the years that followed.

Key trials include the Irish Derby and Yeats Stakes in the Emerald Isle, plus the Queen’s Vase, Bahrain Trophy, Gordon Stakes, Great Voltigeur at York races during the Ebor Festival and March Stakes in the UK. Results of these shape the ante post betting on a horse racing event that is the oldest of the Classics, dating back to 1776.

Ante Post Betting on Royal Ascot

Outside of the big three-year-old races, there is one Flat meeting and festival in particular that it’s easy to have ante post bets on. That is of course Royal Ascot held over five consecutive days in the middle of June attracting horses from Europe, America and Australia to our shores. There are eight Group 1s at the biggest summer horse racing gala and each of these is an early closing race:

  • Queen Anne Stakes for 4yos+ over the straight mile
  • King’s Stand Stakes for 3yos+ over five furlongs
  • St James’s Palace Stakes for 3yo colts over the round mile
  • Prince Of Wales’s Stakes for 4yos+ over a mile-and-a-quarter
  • Ascot Gold Cup for 4yos+ over two-and-a-half miles
  • Commonwealth Cup for 3yo colts and fillies over six furlongs
  • Coronation Stakes for 3yo fillies over the round mile
  • Platinum Jubilee Stakes for 4yos+ over six furlongs

Other early closing races with Royal Ascot ante post betting available on them include the non-juvenile Group 2 races. You can still bookmaker quotes for the two-year-old races, though. It’s more common to find Royal Ascot odds for these events:

  • Queen’s Vase for 3yos over a mile-and-three-quarters
  • Duke Of Cambridge Stakes for 4yo+ fillies and mares over the straight mile
  • Ribblesdale Stakes for 3yo fillies over a mile-and-a-half
  • King Edward VII Stakes for 3yo colts and geldings over a mile-and-a-half
  • Hardwicke Stakes for 4yos+ over a mile-and-a-half

The ante post betting on Royal Ascot even extends to Heritage Handicaps that include the Royal Hunt Cup and Wokingham Stakes, which attract the largest fields. A maximum of 30 runners contest these big betting races, so Extra Places are certain to follow once final declarations come out. That again puts punters in a quandary about the right time to place their wages.

From sprints to long-distance events like the Gold Cup, Royal Ascot ante post betting covers a big range of the best racing taking place in front of royalty. Markets in the three-year-olds only race often get shaken up as other big races like the Guineas, Oaks and Derby happen. Some of the also rans from the Classics come to Ascot races in search of some compensation on an equally big stage.

Goodwood Ante Post Betting

There is one other five-day meeting on the Flat in the UK, and that’s Glorious Goodwood. Held in late July, sometimes spilling over into early August, the Qatar Goodwood Festival going by its sponsored name is a highlight of the summer holidays. The ante post horse betting here mirrors what’s on offer in advance of Ascot.

In other words, there are markets available on the most important Goodwood races today in advance of the Glorious meeting. These are again Group 1 and Group 2 races, plus Heritage Handicaps. Here is a list of all the Goodwood ante post betting available to punters over the summer:

  • Lennox Stakes (Group 2) for 3yos+ over seven furlongs
  • Goodwood Cup (Group 1) for 3yos+ over two miles
  • Sussex Stakes (Group 1) for 3yos+ over a mile
  • Nassau Stakes (Group 1) for 3yo+ fillies and mares over a mile-and-a-quarter
  • Golden Mile (Heritage Handicap) for 3yos+ over a mile
  • King George Stakes (Group 2) for 3yos+ over five furlongs
  • Lillie Langtry Stakes (Group 2) for 3yo+ fillies and mares over a mile-and-three-quarters
  • Stewards’ Cup (Heritage Handicap) for 3yos+ over six furlongs

Arc de Triomphe Ante Post Betting

We’ve dealt with Britain’s richest horse races in the Grand National and Epsom Derby, so that just leaves the most valuable in Europe. The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe run at Longchamp in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris, France on the first Sunday in October attracts an international field. British, Irish, German and even Japanese horses also feature in the ante post betting for the Arc de Triomphe these days.

A mile-and-a-half Group 1 race open to three-year-olds and up, this is the biggest French horse race of all. With a century of history behind the Arc, it’s a prize coveted by many with fillies and mares doing particularly well in the contest in recent years. The weight and sex allowances they receive is a key factor in how the Arc de Triomphe ante post betting market is formed by traders.

Other Big Betting Races You Can Bet on Ante Post

There are plenty of other early closing races where you can get an ante post bet on outside of the major meetings and festivals too. Here are 10 more important events which attract plenty of early market interest from punters:

  • Lincoln Handicap (Heritage Handicap) at Doncaster over the straight mile (March)
  • Scottish Grand National (Grade 3) at Ayr over four miles (April)
  • Coral Eclipse (Group 1) at Sandown over a mile-and-a-quarter (July)
  • King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot over a mile-and-a-half (July)
  • Ayr Gold Cup (Heritage Handicap) at Ayr over six furlongs (September)
  • Cambridgeshire (Heritage Handicap) at Newmarket over a mile and a furlong (September)
  • Cesarewitch (Heritage Handicap) at Newmarket over two-and-a-quarter miles (October)
  • Paddy Power Gold Cup (Grade 3) at Cheltenham over two-and-a-half miles (November)
  • King George VI Chase (Grade 1) at Kempton Park over three miles (Boxing Day)
  • Welsh Grand National (Grade 3) at Chepstow over three-and-three-quarter miles (December 27)

Ante Post Betting Tips

We could let the subject of an ante post bet go without asking our experts for advice. They often give horse racing tips in advance, so know all the perils and tricks attached to early wagers. Here are their helpful hints that you should take heed of:

Look at Previous Course and Distance Winners Carefully

First up, any previous course and distance winners should command respect among early closing entries. These horses have already proven they not only handle the track where a race takes place, but the distance of it too. Course specialists that turn up and win around a venue time and again can never be discounted as others entered may not act so well there.

If Non-Runner No Bet Offered Ante Post, Then Take It

Another of the ante post betting tips concerns Non-Runner No Bet. On certain events like Cheltenham and maybe even the Grand National, your wagers in advance could be covered by it. If NRNB is a deal offered in conjunction with ante post bets, then take the bookies up on it. Why? Well, you’ll get a run for your money or your stake back if this cover is in place.

Listen to Connections if They Name Future Races as Targets

Racehorse owners and trainers have to make early closing entries weeks and even months in advance. While that is an indicator of intentions, plans can change. Listen carefully to the interviews of jockeys and handlers after they have won a race and take note of the next target they have in mind. This stops you from backing a horse ante post without knowing if early closing engagements are still on the agenda.

The Last Word

That’s all there is to our ante post betting guide. We’ve touched on everything you need to know about this type of wager. It’s really important to gamble responsibly when taking a punt in advance, because of the additional risks attached. There is no better feeling than backing a horse ante post and it winning, though!

Our Top Rated UK Horse Racing Betting Site

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets

29/12/23

Bet £10, Get £30 In Free Bets

  • Acca Club gives 5 weekly Profit Boosts
  • Big reputation for virtuals and eSports
  • Daily Price Boosts provide extra value
9.7
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit BetUK
Learn More
0
T&Cs apply. New cust only. Deposit & Place a Bet within 7 days, and settle a £10 minimum bet at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 Horse Racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. 7 day expiry. Stake not returned. 18+ BeGambleAware.org.

FAQs

What does ante post mean in betting?

Do you get your money back on ante post bets?

Does Rule 4 apply to ante post bets?

What is an ante post winner?

Arrow to top