Hedge Your Bets When Betting On A Big Field Handicap
Author:
Jamie Clark
Last Updated on:
Sunday, 02nd Nov 2025
Topic:
Betting Strategy
Experiences:
Our experienced editor
Topic:
Betting Strategy
Experiences:
Our experienced editor
Jamie Clark was Sports Editor of Coral bookmakers between 2014 and 2017 during their merger with Labrokes and a key period for the British betting industry. Working as a bookie’s runner on the point to point circuit in the Midlands and at Market Rasen Racecourse where his late godfather had a trackside pitch growing up, he has had ties to horse racing all of his life. A regular visitor to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season and York over the summer, he has been involved in Horsebetting.com since its inception. Jamie now brings you his take on major news stories from the racing world and those all-important betting tips.
What I’ve found useful over the years is instead of placing all your eggs in one basket in big field races like the Grand National over jumps or the Cesarewitch on the flat, put on two, three or four bets of smaller value each-way. That means you’ve got more chances of winning.
I recently did this on the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, That’s a big handicap too but just a couple of flutters to make it interesting. Took the winner Kalashnikov at 12s E/W, but also liked something lower down in the weights. My total outlay betting was £10 (2 x £2.50 each-way), but I ended up £30 in profit on the race. OK, I lost my bet on the bigger price horse that didn’t place, but it just goes to show it helps to have more than one iron in the fire in these types of race, you know?
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
If you back a horse and it finishes second to a winner which has a starting price of 33/1 or greater, get your money back as a free bet up to £25 max.
Please note – this applies to first fixed odds single winner bet on each race only. Subsequent bets on the same race will not qualify. 18+ Full T&Cs apply.
Horse racing handicap betting is a strategy that one can adopt in an effort to improve one’s chances of seeing a return on bets placed. As the old adage goes: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. This strategy will allow one to assess the field and place markers on those performing well. At Horsebetting.com, we will outline how to use this strategy and what to expect when placing a bet.
💪 Do I have a better chance of winning with horse racing handicap betting?
Betting strategies are formulated in order to improve the chances of success on any given day. However, merely using a strategy to place bets will not lead to immediate or constant success. To find out how you can improve your chances, take a look at our betting tips and strategies. They’re sure to be an eye opener and will certainly stoke your interest in horse racing even further.
💡 Is horse racing handicap betting popular?
Experienced punters understand that it is quite necessary to apply strategies when betting on horses. A wonderfully intricate sport that requires prior knowledge and a keen eye. Strategies such as horse racing handicap betting have come to the fore. By stating up-to-date with the latest betting strategies at Horsebetting.com, you’ll find out which strategies are most popular and more importantly, most effective.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
If you back a horse and it finishes second to a winner which has a starting price of 33/1 or greater, get your money back as a free bet up to £25 max.
Please note - this applies to first fixed odds single winner bet on each race only. Subsequent bets on the same race will not qualify. 18+ Full T&Cs apply.
18+ New customers only. Opt in, deposit and bet £10 (odds 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get £30 in Free Bets for selected markets, 7 days expiry. T&Cs apply. gambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
18+ | Place a real money win or each way bet on UK or Irish horse racing | If bet wins and starting price is greater than the original price taken, bet will be settled at the bigger odds | Offer cap £20K per customer, per day | Restrictions and T&Cs apply.
18+ | New UK players only | Min deposit req. £10 | Certain deposit methods excluded | Place 1 sport bet (3+ selections) | Excl Horse Racing | Min stake £10 | Max stake £20 | Min Odds 2/1 (3.0) | Max FreeBet £20 for football only | FreeBet valid for 7 days | FreeBet stake not returned | T&Cs apply.
18+. New Players Only. Min Dep £20. Offer: 100% of 1st deposit up to £100 + 100 Spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Spins expire after 23:59 GMT on day they are credited. Spins winnings credited as bonus, separate to Cash funds, & subject to 35x wagering of bonus + deposit amounts. Bonus funds expire after 21 days. Affordability checks apply. Terms Apply. BeGambleAware.org.
Open Account Offer
Bet £10 & Get £30 in Free Bets for new customers at bet365.
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. The bonus code can be used during registration but does not change the offer amount in any way. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required.
