Many punters are already looking ahead to the Irish Derby, known as the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival this year, one of the biggest races of the summer flat racing calendar. If you want to get an early advantage, you don’t need to wait for the runners to be confirmed to start preparing for this event.
Even though you don’t know who’s competing yet, it’s still possible to start building a picture of which horses could be well-suited to the conditions. It may even be possible to find potential value before the odds shorten.
Even though the final odds may not have settled yet, there’s still potential to get into the spirit of the Irish Derby through related games. Various bookmakers have their own casino sites as well, with games designed to appeal to fans of racing. With it being the Irish Derby, you could play the 12 Pots of Gold Drums slot online first to get acquainted with all the lucky Irish symbols. The game immerses you in the colours and iconography of the Emerald Isle, so it’s a good one for getting in the mood.
There are also plenty of racing slots available for people who need horse-themed action at all times. Big Bass Return to the Races is a light-hearted offering that captures the spirit of the Irish Derby, but there are also more serious options, such as Sky Vegas Derby Dash.
Why Early Irish Derby Research Matters
For bettors who want to get ahead and find the best odds before others, early research is key. The Irish Derby Festival is set to take place from June 26 to June 28, so it’s crucial to keep a close eye on horses and form in the lead-up to the event. It’s a good idea to watch how horses perform at Epsom and to listen out for any positive comments from insiders. If you wait until the final declarations have been made, you may miss out on some early value.
There are plenty of other things that you can look into as well if you want to be fully prepared. For example, you could examine horses’ previous form over similar distances and check trainer plans.
What Are the Risks of This Approach?
If you do all your research and spot some runners that you think are being overlooked, you can place ante-post bets on them with some bookmakers before the declarations have been made. This gives you the chance to secure better odds, and you may be able to spot value before the market adjusts.
However, this approach comes with some risks as well. If the runner that you choose doesn’t end up taking part in the race, you generally don’t get your money back, and the bet will be forfeited. That’s why it’s often referred to as a high-risk, high-reward approach in betting.
The balanced approach would be to do your research, and if you find one or two horses that you think may be real gems, consider placing ante-post bets on them. Don’t put too many of these on, though, as there’s a risk that they don’t compete.