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Using The Timeform Card
The RATINGS (expressed in pounds) indicate, at today's weights, the chances of the runners based on Timeform's interpretation of their form. Timeform Ratings on their own should never be taken as indicating a selection; a relatively low rating indicates the amount of improvement the horse will probably have to show and the commentaries may suggest circumstances in which it could find that improvement. The ratings are adjusted for Timeform weight-for-age (the TWFA is given under the race title) and, on the flat, to 10-0 (12-0 for amateurs events). HOWEVER, for horses rated a ?, non-adjusted ratings may appear in the commentary - to compare them, simply add on any pounds to be carried less than 10-0 (or a lower weight if any weight-for-age is involved).
Horses which have shown improved form on the all-weather are either rated on their lower turf form (perhaps with a +) when they return to turf or, when we are confident they may well be better than when last running on turf, on their higher all-weather form. Guide To Abbreviations
The RATINGS SUMMARY indicates, also at today's weights, how each runner with a Timeform Rating has performed in up to its last six races (most recent first, some foreign races may not appear).
The COMMENTARIES contain a wealth of valuable information about each horse's record, what sort of form it is in, ground and distance requirements, temperamental characteristics, favoured tactics, etc. Certain pieces of information appear only on the better horses, or on others only if we think it is of relevance to the punter. These include, bandages, boots, crossed, dropped and severe nosebands, blankets for stalls entry, rope halters, tongue ties, early to post, etc.
FORM SUMMARIES list a horse's performances in sequence, showing, for each race, its distance in furlongs, the state of the going and the horse's placing (* denotes a win) if in the first six at the finish. The prefix 'a' signifies a race run on a surface (usually all-weather or dirt) other than turf. Sometimes indicated are wo - walkover, dis - disqualified, rtr - refused to race. The date of the most recent race is included.
The GOING: h hard, f firm (or fast), m good to firm, g good (or standard), d good to soft or dead, s soft (or slow, sloppy or wet), v heavy.
Phrases used in connection with the going include: give in the ground - good and softer; soft surface/plenty of give - good to soft and softer; the mud - soft and heavy; sound surface - good and firmer; top-of-the-ground - good-to-firm and firmer.
RATINGS SUMMARY: In the third column, where the BHB or Irish Turf Club mark appears if the race is a handicap, the following may also appear.
TIMEFIGURES (printed at the end of the commentary after the name of the trainer) measure the performances of horses in terms of race times. Generally speaking, the more recent a horse's good timefigure, the greater its significance and reference to it will be deleted after a horse has run ten times subsequently. Note: Timefigures recorded at all-weather flat meetings appear on the Cards for all-weather meetings only, in italics to distinguish them from those on the turf.
125'As12m signifies an adjusted timefigure of 125 recorded at Ascot over 12 furlongs on good to firm going. The tick after the 125 signifies last season.
Track abbreviations: The first two letters of a course's name are used in most cases. Note should be made of Bv-Beverley; Ch-Chester; Cp-Chepstow; Ct-Catterick; Ha-Haydock; Hm-Hamilton; Nb-Newbury; Nc-Newcastle; Nm-Newmarket; Sa-Sandown; Sb-Salisbury.
PERSPECTIVE: A reference number (printed in the left-hand margin) shows each horse's lastest entry in Timeform Perspective, the Timeform form book (numbers in italic refer to last year). Some very recent back references may refer to races not yet published.
JOCKEYS: Overweight carried should always be deducted from the race rating (but please note that Timeform advertising statements are based upon the ratings given on the card), Note: Jockeys on Cards are those that were declared at the time of going to press. Some of the riding arrangements may have changed.
The TRW FIGURES (printed above the title of some non-handicap races) are the weight-adjusted TIMEFORM RATINGS which the WINNERS have achieved in the same race in the five previous years, the most recent
being to the right before the average. A horse with a rating or timefigure better the the TRW figues should be considered seriously.
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