If you’re dipping your toes into greyhound racing, there’s a world of betting strategy beyond simply backing dogs on race day. One popular—and potentially lucrative—approach is ante-post betting. This method of wagering has its own set of advantages, drawbacks, and smart tactics to help you get the most from it.
For punters keen to explore early markets, top greyhound betting platforms such as BresBet offer dedicated greyhound racing odds and ante-post opportunities, making it easy to get involved before the rest of the market reacts.
What Is Ante-Post Betting?
Ante-post betting refers to placing your bets in advance, typically days or even weeks before a race takes place. Instead of waiting for the final race card and odds on the day itself, you lock in your price early.
In greyhound racing, ante-post markets might open as soon as entries are confirmed, offering early odds on win markets—or even on specials, like track records or sectional times, depending on the bookmaker.
Advantages of Ante-Post Betting
- Superior Value on Promising Runs
If you spot a greyhound whose form appears poised to improve, ante-post allows you to buy into its potential at better odds—sometimes significantly better than on-the-day pricing. - Beat Last-Minute Market Moves
The race-day odds can shift rapidly based on late scratches, trap draws, or insider tips. Ante-post allows you to secure a favorable price before those market swings happen. - Enhanced Strategic Planning
Since you act early, you have more time to research form, track trends, and follow news (e.g., kennel changes, track conditions, or trial reports). You’re making a considered decision, rather than a split-second choice on race day. - Locks in Favourites
If a dog takes shape as the obvious favourite early in the buildup, ante-post gives you a way to get on at decent odds—before the public pushes the price down.
Potential Disadvantages
- Risk of Non-Runners
In the ante-post world, if your chosen runner is withdrawn before the race, most bookmakers treat that as a losing bet, rather than voiding or refunding it. That’s a key downside—your stake is at risk. - Changing Variables
Between the time you place the bet and race day, many things can change—track weather, form, draw bias, injuries. Your choice might look less appealing as the race unfolds. - Less Flexibility
You’re committing early, which means you can’t respond to last-minute edge or inside information that could shift your thinking. - Limited Available Markets
Ante-post betting options may be more restrictive. You might only get win markets, rather than broader bets like place, exactas, or dogs-to-follow types of options.
Ante Post Betting Strategies
Focus on Form, Not Just Favourites
Look for greyhounds improving in form or returning from a spell with good indicators (e.g. strong trial splits or strong finishing sections). Avoid simply backing early favourites unless you’re confident their class outweighs any uncertainties.
Understand Track and Draw Biases
Many tracks favour inside or outside traps, depending on turns or surface. If you notice bias patterns emerging, target dogs well-drawn for that advantage. Ante-post gives you the chance to lock in that edge early.
Manage Your Exposure
Because of the non-runner risk, avoid allocating too much of your bankroll to ante-post. A rule of thumb: only commit 10–20% of your greyhound betting capital ante-post, and use the rest on safer, on-the-day bets.
Consider Two-Step Strategy
Place a small ante-post bet on a promising dog and then plan a second, smaller on-the-day bet if conditions align (e.g. the price has shortened attractively, or the draw is favourable). That way you spread risk across different timings.
Split Bets Across Different Dogs
Rather than backing just one ante-post selection, disperse your risk across two or three, each selected for different strengths—perhaps one has top-class form, another has ideal draw, and a third is improving rapidly.
Stay Informed About Withdrawals
Some advanced platforms offer partial refunds even for ante-post non-runners—or will let you adjust stakes when scratches occur. Follow updates closely, and act swiftly when news breaks.
Use Each-Way and Place Multiples (When Offered)
If your bookmaker offers ante-post place-only or each-way terms (often more generous with bigger races), consider spreading stakes across these options. Just note—terms may differ from on-the-day markets.
Example Scenarios
Let’s say a greyhound called Graeme’s Nimble returns from a short break with strong trial times and looks a standout in early ante-post markets at 6/1 for a big stakes sprint. You place a small £10 ante-post bet.
- Best Case: The dog nails the race—6/1 pays off, and you’ve made a tidy return.
- Drawback Scenario: The dog withdraws a few days prior—your £10 is lost.
- Alternate Path: The dog runs, but only places. Since you backed outright, you get nothing. Yet, if you’d split your stake (maybe £8 ante-post, £2 on-the-day place), you’d potentially salvage a return.
Final Thoughts
Ante post betting in greyhounds can be a very savvy way to bet and you can often get odds much higher than the starting price at the time of the race. However there are plenty of considerations to be wary of as outlined above and there’s a chance your greyhound may not even run on the day. So you need to weigh everything up and work out if the ante post bet you are eying up is worth it.
David Prior
David Prior is the editor of Today News, responsible for the overall editorial strategy. He is an NCTJ-qualified journalist with over 20 years’ experience, and is also editor of the award-winning hyperlocal news title Altrincham Today. His LinkedIn profile is here.
