Here is all you Need to Know Ahead of Attending the Races

Each year the horse racing season rolls around and the big UK events lead to tens of thousands of excited fans flooding to the racetracks to get in on the action, whether it be the Grand National, Royal Ascot, Cheltenham or any other top tier British race, they are all beloved by all, not just avid racing fans. But, if you are not among the frequent attendees and are planning your first trip to one of the many spectacular events, here is all you need to know ahead of attending the races, from rule and regulations to helpful tips and tricks.

BETTING

It wouldn’t be horse racing with a bit of betting, they have come hand in hand as long as the sport has been around, much like others such as football and boxing, but if you are not a professional not are you familiar with placing bets, not to worry as there are a few helpful things that can lead you to be successful when betting at the bookmakers or with an online bookie, such as at Timeform which is readily available at any race you attend, just a click away.

The jargon used in betting can be very confusing to people unfamiliar with it and can affect you making a return on your wagers as you may be placing the wrong bets for you. So here a few common betting terms that if you understand can help you win some money at the races.

• Accumulator – a bet in which you make 4 or more selections in separate races, but all of those selections must win in order to get a return.
• AntePost Bet – a bet in which is placed well in advance of a race, before final decisions have been made and so this is risky as your horse may pull out at the last minute, leaving you with no chance of a return, without getting a refund on your wager.
• Chalk Player – this refers to a bettor who places bets on the race favorite, playing it safe. This indicates a bettor is either new to betting or likes to play it safe in order to have better odds of keeping hold of his money. It is good to do so when you are a newbie to the races.
• Double – placing a bet on 2 selections in different races, both of which must win for you to get a return.

DRESS CODE  

When it comes to rules of the races, the most common is the dress code and it can be a big selling point for visitors as it gives them the chance to dress to impress, making the events one filled with class, unlike many other sporting events.

Not all races have strict dress codes, but the most famous for its rules is the Royal Ascot, in which guests are given guidelines when it comes to what they are wearing to the races. Men are pretty straight forward as they are to wear a full suit of matching material and a hat in certain enclosures. Whereas women are subject to more particulars, such as ….

• No strapless or spaghetti-strapped dress, they must be an inch or thicker
• Hats are to be worn, or headdresses with bases bigger than 4-inches
• Dresses/Skirts are to be just above the knee or longer
• No midriffs are to be on show
• Jumpsuits are now allowed but must be full length
• Suits can also be worn but like the men must be of matching material