Racing rules and events

Flat racing is run without obstacles; National Hunt racing mainly includes hurdles, steeplechases and bumpers.

UK race weights are commonly shown in stones and pounds, with one stone equal to 14 pounds.

A photo finish uses a specialised camera aligned with the winning line to determine finishing order when horses are close.

Grand National each-way place terms vary by bookmaker and year, including promotions that pay additional places.

Hurdles are smaller, more forgiving obstacles, while steeplechases use larger fences and typically require more established jumping technique.

Good to soft describes turf going between good and soft, generally indicating some give in the ground.

A dead heat occurs when the judge cannot separate two or more horses for a finishing position.

A bumper is a National Hunt Flat race, generally intended to introduce inexperienced jump horses to racing without obstacles.

A maiden race is restricted to horses that have not won a race of the relevant type under its conditions.

A novice hurdle race is intended for horses meeting the published novice eligibility conditions, generally based on hurdle wins and timing.

Ante-post betting is placing a bet before the final declarations, often days or months ahead of a major race.

Best Odds Guaranteed is a bookmaker concession that may pay the higher of the early price taken and the official SP…