All-weather analysis: three handy tips to help you find winners

With much of this week's jumps action under threat, the attention of many punters will turn to the all-weather meetings. Race analyst Steffan Edwards provides a few angles to consider on the all-weather . . .

Opening races can reveal a lot – particularly at Newcastle

The various all-weather surfaces ride differently depending on several factors, including temperature, how deep they've been harrowed, wind speed and direction. A lot can then be gained from watching the first couple of races on a card to see if there's a possible bias, perhaps to those being held up or on the speed, or to travellers or gallopers. 

Newcastle is a track that's hard to predict in advance, but sometimes after a couple of races it's quite clear that it's a day for those held up out the back. A headwind, harrowed surface and stiff finish sometimes just means it's a day for those being played last. In contrast, on a still day those ridden prominently can often have a field day.