Forecasting is a popular way to bet on horse racing and involves predicting the order of the first two horses to finish a race. It is a challenging form of racing which requires a lot of skill and experience to be successful. To win a forecast bet, you need to correctly predict the finishing order of the two horses you select. But how many horses actually have to run for a forecast?
What is Forecasting?
Forecasting is a type of bet which involves predicting the order of the first two horses to finish a race. You can bet on a single horse to win, or you can make a forecast bet which involves predicting the exact order of the first two horses to finish. The odds for a forecast bet are usually much higher than a straight win bet, so it can be a lucrative way to bet on horses.
How Many Horses Have to Run for a Forecast?
At least three horses must run in a race in order for a forecast bet to be valid. This means that if only two horses are entered in a race, a forecast bet cannot be placed.
What Happens if There is a Non-Runner in a Race?
If there is a non-runner in a race which has three or more horses entered, the forecast bet will still be valid. This is because the remaining horses will still compete for the top two places and the forecast will still be a valid bet.
What if There are More Than Two Horses Crossed the Finish Line?
In the event of a dead heat, where more than two horses cross the finish line in the same position, a forecast bet will still be valid. However, the payouts may be adjusted, depending on the number of horses which have dead-heated.
What are the Different Types of Forecasts?
There are a few different types of forecast bets which can be placed. These include:
- Straight Forecast: This is a standard forecast bet, where you predict the exact order of the first two horses to finish.
- Reverse Forecast: This is a more complicated bet, where you predict the order in which the first two horses will finish, but the order can be either way round.
- Tricast: This is a bet which involves predicting the order in which the first three horses will finish.
What is a Rule 4 Deduction?
A Rule 4 deduction is a deduction which is applied to winning bets when a horse is withdrawn from a race before it has started. The amount of the deduction depends on the odds of the withdrawn horse and the number of horses in the race.
How Does a Forecast Bet Work?
When placing a forecast bet, you must select the two horses which you think will finish in the top two positions. You can either bet on a single horse to win, or you can make a forecast bet which involves predicting the exact order of the first two horses to finish. If you successfully predict the order in which the first two horses finish, you will win the bet.
What Happens if I Don’t Pick the Winner?
If you don’t pick the winner, but you still predict the correct order in which the first two horses will finish, you will still win the bet. This is because in a forecast bet, the order in which the horses finish is more important than the actual winner of the race.
Conclusion
To sum up, at least three horses must run in a race in order for a forecast bet to be valid. If there is a non-runner in a race which has three or more horses entered, the forecast bet will still be valid. There are a few different types of forecast bets which can be placed, including straight forecast, reverse forecast and tricast. A Rule 4 deduction is a deduction which is applied to winning bets when a horse is withdrawn from a race before it has started. When placing a forecast bet, you must select the two horses which you think will finish in the top two positions. If you successfully predict the order in which the first two horses finish, you will win the bet, even if you don’t pick the winner.