Group One handicap markets proving a hit with Coral punters

New way of betting on the big races 

Coral is to extend its unique handicap markets to all UK Group One races and selected top international contests, after the most recent betting heat of this type, on last Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, proved to be a hit with punters. 

The market is similar to those offered on ante-post football at the start of the season, whereby we go 6/1 the field, with the favourite running off scratch and each horse getting lengths off them.

The allotted handicap distance of each horse is then added to their finishing result to provide a winner in the handicap market. In The Arc, Nelson was the winner after running off a handicap of +16l and finishing four-and-a-half lengths behind favourite and eventual winner Enable.

A different challenge for punters 

“In trying to expand interest in the big races, we offered handicap betting for the first time on last month’s St Leger, and again for the Cheveley Park, Middle Park, and Sun Chariot Stakes”, said Coral’s David Stevens.

“But it was the Arc market that really took off, with rank outsider Nelson ‘winning’ the race with a start of 16 lengths over Enable, with the filly off scratch”, he continued.

“Having seen the level of interest last weekend, we are now committed to offering this market on all UK Group Ones, as well as selected top class international races, continuing with the Fillies’ Mile and Dewhurst this week.”

“It offers a different challenge to punters, which plenty seem willing to take on, and we’re confident we can make these markets grow, and best of all it’s very much our opinion versus those of our customers,” added Stevens.

Weekend betting