What to do in lockdown: our top tipsters on how to hone your skills

Read as much as possible

I'm a big believer that you should always approach horseracing betting as though you are a fool who knows nothing. Don't ever think you're too good to take advice from others. Open your mind to new ideas. You should always be looking to learn, because you will never know it all when it comes to racing.

You might think you're an absolute expert in a certain field but racing is ever-changing, so you'll never crack it completely. An approach that works one summer might not work the next because the market will adapt and take away your edge. As punters and tipsters we should be fluid, open to changing our approaches, and always looking for new angles.

I've spent the last week reading pieces on everything and anything from speed figures to pedigrees and draw analysis. There's loads of stuff online, so Google what interests you and you'll be amazed where it can take you.
Graeme Rodway

Come back physically fitter and mentally sharper

I only bet on low-grade British racing. When the final race before the shutdown was run on March 17 I immediately accepted it could be three months before I struck my next wager.

I have always believed there is a correlation between physical fitness and mental sharpness. I am using the downtime to embark on a serious fitness drive.

A six-mile run at 6am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday is backed up by a six-mile walk each Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I stuff myself with food on Sunday! When racing returns I will be ready.
Richard Birch

America offers a different perspective on puntingCredit: Edward Whitaker

Look across the pond for information

We may think Britain is ahead of the game but America has built up something of a science in sports betting over the years – despite gambling being illegal in most states until very recently.

There's loads of info online about US betting; types of bets, ways to play different sports and how to manage your pot. It isn't all relevant but it might make you think about things you never considered before.

At the academic end of the spectrum, check out for research and expert debates on sports analysis and the future of betting.

There are some eye-opening ways US sports teams are using information and even if, like me, you're sceptical of some of the findings it's worth knowing the effort being pumped into understanding sport in America.
Sam Walker

Read the Racing Post's Betting Masterclasses series

The break from domestic action offers a unique opportunity to consider and refine our betting approach. Our Betting Masterclasses series boasts a wealth of guidance and insight into many different approaches to the game. I've found the content thought-provoking and expect it to be beneficial to my betting.

Each masterclass can be read here. Take your time to read them all and revisit those that really appeal. You can then set to work on how you can apply this to your own betting.
Simon Turner

Straighten your accounts

Do some book-keeping. Even punters who consider themselves serious gamblers can be slack when it comes to keeping on top of their betting activity. This is the perfect time to go through your online accounts for the last 12 months. The bookmakers do half the job for you too by keeping records, so there's no excuse.
Pietro Innocenzi

Now is the time to study lots of race replaysCredit: Edward Whitaker

Watch lots of race replays

In an era when backing in running is as big as pre-race betting, now is a great time to take advantage of the race videos available on the Racing Post website to try to learn riding styles of jockeys, and points on tracks where you usually start seeing races unfold. Unfortunately it won't ensure you never lose but it'll give you a far better chance of attacking that mode of betting if it's something you'd like to try at a time when, presuming racing starts in the summer again, there will be a high volume of races in which to play.
David Toft

Sort out your tracker

Unless you have a powerful memory and can remember each and every horse who catches your eye on a daily basis, it is highly likely that you have a tracker or two to keep in the swing of things. During the course of a season, that tracker can get cluttered with horses who you may not want to follow in the long run and now is the perfect time to organise it and delete those runners. I haven't used my tracker in a number of years, but I logged on to my account only to find numerous horses who I wouldn't dream of backing now. Prepare yourself for the next jumps campaign while the horses and races are fresh in your mind – you will be thankful when you start firing in the winners in the winter.
Tom Collins

It is never too early to try to get a handle on the Stewards' CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Study all the handicaps

Jumping from the euphoria of the Cheltenham Festival to potentially the heart of the Flat season may force your brain into a frenzy. It is easy to forget all those Flat handicappers when your last race study was the Martin Pipe.

Watching back the big Flat handicaps – studying the form of previous years and spotting potential plots – will stand you in good stead once the season gets back under way.

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Of course, you won't be able to account for any of the newcomers or lightly raced three-year-olds, but often a large chunk of a big-handicap field – a race such as the Stewards' Cup for example – will contain runners who have run in last year's contest or the consolation race.

Go through the racing calendar and tackle each of the handicaps and stick any of note into your Racing Post horse tracker. Then once the season is back under way you have a first port of call when it comes to tackling each race.
Tom Park

Check through your notes

If, like me, you make extensive notes on races in an effort to keep abreast of eyecatchers, and conversely those you wanted to take on, now is a great time to check your work.

As I focus on juveniles each year, the path to success or failure is easier to map as I can see whether my notes match up to how a horse ended up performing through the season.

But there is always room for improvement. If I've written effusive praise for a horse who ended up being a disappointment, or perhaps I was low on a horse who ended up Pattern class, why was I wrong? Looking back and learning from mistakes is essential self-growth for any punter.
David Baxter

Read more from our Betting Masterclasses series:

Punting pitfalls: four Racing Post experts on the betting habits to avoid

Long-range punting: how to make the most of the odds on offer months in advance

A numbers game: how to use Racing Post Ratings to improve your betting

How to get an edge when you're at the races

How keeping track of trainers can give you a betting edge

Why the all-weather is the perfect betting medium for the discerning punter

Four experts on the art of being selective when it comes to betting

Making it pay all over the world: the intricacies of the international scene

It's all in the breeding: the most underrated weapon in a punter's armoury

A winning system: using data to your advantage in the battle with the bookies

Still great value on the exchanges - you just might have to work a bit harder