How to Find Value in Horse Racing – Real Tips That Work

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Fraser B

Co-founder of Tipman and a well-known tipster with over a decade of profitable tracked results. Featured on the Racing Post NAPs table, Ben brings proven expertise and sharp racing insight.

Published Date: June 21, 2025 6:59 AM

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Value in Horse Racing

Most punters lose money on the horses because they focus on the wrong thing, chasing winners.

But smart racing bettors know it’s not about picking who’s most likely to win. It’s about finding prices that are too big.

That’s what we call value.

This guide explains what value bets are in horse racing, how to find them, and how to stop getting mugged off by poor odds.

What is a value bet in horse racing?

A value bet is when the odds on a horse are bigger than they should be based on its actual chance of winning.

It doesn’t matter if the horse is 2/1 or 25/1 – what matters is whether the price is wrong.

Bookies often misprice races, especially in big fields, lower-class meetings or fast-moving markets. That’s where sharp punters step in.

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How to spot value in a horse race

Finding value takes more than just looking at form. Here’s what to look for:

Market overreactions – Horses that flopped last time but had excuses (e.g. poor draw, soft ground)
Bookie bias – Odds shortened on popular stables, names or hype horses
Strong place value – Each-way bets where the place terms are in your favour
Late price movement – Market hasn’t caught up to real-time info (ground, jockey change, support)
Runners with hidden positives – Up in trip, better draw, suited conditions

If the price on offer is bigger than your assessment of its chances, you’ve found value.

Example of a real value bet

We tipped a 16/1 shot in a Class 5 handicap that had finished 7th last time out.
But the horse was:

Dropping back to its preferred trip
Off a career-low mark
Running on its favoured track
Blinkers back on

The market ignored it. The price was too big. It won.

That’s value – not guessing, but understanding what the market has missed.

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Why most punters never find value

They chase form, follow favourites, or back hype horses without thinking about price.

But even winners can be poor bets. A 5/6 favourite that should be evens is a bad bet. A 12/1 outsider that should be 6/1 is a great one, even if it doesn’t win this time.

How we find value at Tipman

Our daily racing tips are built using:

Speed figures and pace maps
Class and rating drops
Trainer and jockey angles
Ground, draw and track biases
Market movement tracking

We don’t just tip winners. We tip overpriced runners – the ones that make long-term profit.

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Best tips for finding value in racing

Focus on midweek and lower-class races where the market is weaker
Look beyond form – check pace, sectionals and past conditions
Don’t be afraid of drifters if your logic holds up
Use bookie offers, BOG and extra places to improve your returns
Track your bets. If you’re profitable at SP over time, you’re doing it right

Want more Value Betting guides?

Want more on value betting?

Here are a few popular posts from the Tipman team:

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a value bet in racing?
A value bet is one where the odds are bigger than the horse’s real chance of winning. It’s not about the most likely winner, it’s about whether the price is wrong.

How do you find value in horse racing?
Look for mispriced runners — ones with better form than the market realises, or hidden positives like a change in distance or ground.
Read more on spotting value here

Do favourites offer value?
Sometimes, yes. If a favourite should be 1/2 and it’s priced at evens, that’s value. But often, favourites are overpriced because punters pile in blindly.

Does value betting work long term?
Yes, if you’re disciplined. Value betting won’t win every day, but over time it’s the only strategy that consistently beats the bookies.

Where can I get value tips daily?
Tipman Premium posts daily horse racing tips built around value, not hype.
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How to Find Value in Horse Racing – Real Tips That Work

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