What is a Course Specialist?
Course specialist is a term mostly associated with horse racing and is used to describe a horse that has a particular aptitude for a particular type of course.
Some horses may prefer flat racing to jump racing, or be better over longer distances than shorter ones. The going may also be a factor, as some horses prefer softer ground and some prefer the ground to be firmer.
These course specialists become popular with the punter and tend to spend their entire careers only racing on their specialist style of track. This is in order to maximise their attributes and earning potential for the stable.
Jockeys can also be deemed course specialists with some excelling on jump course over a flat course.
How is Course Specialist used in Sports Betting?
When planning to back horses at a race meeting, understanding who the course specialists are becomes a vital element of sports betting, especially when looking at placing an accumulator bet.
For example, a course specialist has a better chance of winning and despite being shorter odds, will still likely represent good value.
Of course, there is no sure thing but the course can be as important as the form. Indeed, just because a horse or jockey is a course specialist, it does not mean they will win. Factors such as form and the competition come in to play, as well as a horse’s breeding, and it is always important to do a little research as there will likely be a number of specialists in any given race.
Did you know…
One lucky punter won a staggering £823,000 from a £19 bet after picking five winners at a 2017 Punchestown race meeting in an accumulator bet.
The race event took place on a Friday but the punter didn’t even realise he had won the bumper pay-out until the next morning when he finally checked his betting slip.