RPRs: expert ratings an essential tool for punting

IMAGINE having a bet in every race every day and turning a level-stakes profit by the end of theseason. Impossible? For mere mortals maybe, but Steve Mason, the Racing Post's jumps handicapper better known as Racing Post Ratings, has done it twice since he started compiling ratings in the 1990s.

RPR - exclusive for Members' Club

Racing Post Ratings, Flat and jumps (and the Flat team recently came a close third in the 2011 naps table), has been one of the success stories at the Racing Post.

They are an invaluable guide when you want to find out the strength of a piece of form, particularly if there is no collateral form to go on.

All website users can find a weight-adjusted rating on the racecards on the day of the race, but only Members can access the figures returned for every run of a horse when studying form. That way you can tell at a glance whether it has been running well despite what might appear discouraging form figures, or if it's simply out of sorts.

You can also click onthe statistics link for a horse to find out quickly whether its best figures have come on quick or slow ground, at what track and even under which jockey.

If it's speed figures you want then Topspeed performs a similar service, again with data for every horse's lifetime form.

Then there's Postdata, which is what I call a lazy punter's dream. Let's face it, we could all work harder when having a punt, but sometimes you don't have the time, so why not let Postdata give you a steer? Members can click on the link under the race and will be faced with a table showing whether their potential selection matches up to a certain list of requirements.

Is the trainer in form? Does the horse go on the ground(one tick for yes, two for being particularly suited to it, a cross for no, while '?' means unproven).

Does it have proven form over the distance or on the course? What's the draw like? Has it shown the ability to win a race of this type? Has it shown that ability recently? Does it have any upcoming Group or Graded-race entries? All this is available at one click of the button, with the horses listed in Racing Post Ratings weight-adjusted order. How could you live without it?

Join Members' Club today.