Learn everything in this Timeform guide. Timeform has stood as the gold standard in horse racing analysis since 1948. The legendary punter Phil Bull founded it, and his legacy continues today.
My experience shows that Timeform ratings rank among the industry’s best. These reliable insights can revolutionise your racing approach. Timeform helps you bet better, whether you have 5 minutes to pick a winner or 5 hours to study the racecard.
New racing enthusiasts will find that Timeform racing gives them a complete introduction to horse racing – both as spectators and bettors. Timeform cards shine with their simple yet powerful system. Their ratings, Flags and symbols help you spot potential winners quickly. Detailed commentary adds context to these numbers.
This piece walks you through everything you need to know about Timeform tip sheets and speed ratings. Our complete pages give you essential information to enjoy a day at the races. You’ll find course overviews, maps, tips, results, and latest weather updates.
Let me share my top tips to read Timeform like a seasoned pro. These insights will boost your confidence to make smarter betting decisions and enjoy the sport of kings.
Tip 1: Start with the Timeform Dashboard
The Timeform Dashboard acts as your tailored command centre that helps you make smarter betting decisions. This tool proves invaluable to organising racing research and tracking promising horses without manually compiling extensive notes.
How to set up your dashboard
Setting up your Timeform Dashboard doesn’t take much effort. You need to tap the My Timeform button on the main screen and select ‘Go’ to access your dashboard right away. Your system comes loaded with several FREE Flags that include Analyst Verdict, Beaten Fav LTO, C&D Winner (horses that have won at the course and distance at least once), Festival Heroes, and Road to Cheltenham.
You can tap into the full potential of your dashboard by:
- Clicking ‘Manage Dashboard’ to access additional features
- Race Card Flags become available with a Race Pass subscription
- Selecting which picks from the tipping articles you want shown
- Managing your alerts through the ‘Manage Notifications’ option
This dashboard gives you a quick overview of the day’s racing based on Timeform’s premium Flags and Tipping services. On top of that, your dashboard automatically displays any horse that qualifies for your selected Timeform Flags.
Race Passes subscribers get instant access to winner-finding pointers such as Horse In Focus, Trainer Uplift, and Sectional analysis. You can also add top picks from Horses To Follow publications to your dashboard view.
Tracking horses, trainers, and races
My Timeform Tracker stands out as the dashboard’s most valuable component. This flexible notes and alerts system lets you customise your form study. You can add detailed notes about horses that catch your eye and keep your selections well-organised.
The automated alert system makes everything easier. After adding horses to your tracker, you choose when to get email alerts about their runs. Registered users get this feature completely free.
Timeform experts emphasise three horses each week that they believe will win soon. These picks help build your tracker with promising selections. The Filter tool works with the tracker and finds bets faster.
Custom lists can include:
- Winners from last time out
- Horses ridden by your favourite jockeys
- Custom combinations of factors that match your betting strategy
Timeform’s revolutionary Jockey And Trainer Dashboard brings depth to your analysis. This specialised dashboard shows tailored statistics through visuals that reveal strengths and weaknesses quickly, and compares them against the “average” amongst trainers or jockeys.
Trip and ground components in the dashboard reveal statistical patterns about conditions. To name just one example, you can see if a trainer’s horses perform better on faster surfaces compared to soft or heavy ground. So this data shows when a horse might outperform expectations based on jockey or trainer strengths in specific situations.
Tip 2: Master the Race Cards
“Establish the facts first, ideally backed up with hard numbers, and only then layer your interpretation over it. Specialise if necessary (and it is usually necessary).” — Simon Rowlands, Racing Analyst and Author, former Timeform Head of Research
The Timeform Race Card is the foundation of profitable betting. It presents vital information in a clear, simple format that serious racing enthusiasts must not miss. Your next significant step toward making informed betting decisions comes after setting up your dashboard. You need to become skilled at reading these detailed race cards.
Reading the layout of Timeform cards
Timeform cards have a logical structure that reveals a wealth of information quickly once you understand them. The top of each page shows the race time, race name and its grade in brackets. The header section displays the race distance and its value (prize money available) on the right side of the card.
The main body shows runners by their saddle cloth number—the same number you see during the race. The “silk” of the owner (jockey’s colours) appears next to this and helps you spot horses during the race. These visual elements serve a practical purpose, especially during live races.
You should learn the simple notations before going further. To name just one example, headgear abbreviations show up in brackets beside horse names (b = blinkers). The horse’s country of origin often appears in parentheses (GB, IRE, FRA, USA).
Key data points to focus on
The sort of thing I love about race cards is these critical elements:
- Form Figures – Numbers run left to right, with the rightmost number showing the most recent performance. Numbers 1-9 show finishing position, while letters show other outcomes (P = Pulled Up, F = Fell, etc.)
- Timeform Ratings – A numerical assessment of a horse’s ability, where higher ratings mean better winning chances. A horse rated 150 should beat one rated 130 by about 20 pounds in similar conditions
- Symbols and Flags – Timeform’s unique system helps you spot promising horses quickly:
- Small p = Likely to improve
- Large P = Capable of much better (massive improver)
- Plus = Might be better
- Squiggle = Unreliable
- Cross = Poor jumper
- Weight Information – Shows up in stones and pounds (e.g., 9st 0lbs), particularly important in handicap races
- Days Since Last Race – Appears in brackets after the horse’s name, showing freshness
- Course and Distance Indicators – Watch for “C” (won at this course), “D” (won at this distance), or “CD” (won at both)
The race card has jockey and trainer information, valuable when following successful professionals. It also offers premium comments with lifetime form details and expert summaries.
Using filters to narrow down selections
My Timeform Filter makes finding promising betting opportunities much simpler. This tool lets you create customised lists based on your most important criteria instead of manually checking numerous race cards.
The tool works best when you:
- Click to toggle filter categories on or off
- Use search boxes to find specific trainers or jockeys
- Make use of premium filters with a Race Passes subscription
The Horses List updates automatically each time you change your criteria. You can view your selections by clicking “Show My Bet Matches” and ordering them by time, alphabetically, or by price.
Race Pass subscribers get access to premium Timeform Filters with extra features. These show horses that are top-rated by Timeform, Horses In Focus, and those suggesting improvement (p or P).
Regular practice with these cards will help you spot patterns and learn about racing analysis. The process might seem complex at first, but understanding both the raw data and available tools will transform your approach.
Tip 3: Use the Tracker and Alerts
My Timeform Tracker transforms the way you track horses that catch your eye. This flexible notes and alerts system creates a personalised racing experience. The powerful tool works exclusively for your betting strategy, unlike standard bookmaker notifications.
Setting up horse alerts
Adding promising horses to your Tracker is simple. You can make detailed notes on any horse in the Timeform database. This feature remains free—just register and stay logged in.
Your betting habits determine the best time to receive alerts:
- Lunchtime on Declaration Day (first reminder)
- Evening Before (around 9 pm) for after-work bettors
- Morning of Race for day-of-race punters
- Result alerts arrive about an hour after the race
You have multiple options to receive notifications:
- Personal email alerts
- Messages to your Timeform mailbox (auto-removed after 5 days)
- Push notifications straight to your mobile device (requires Timeform Mobile App sign-in)
Following trainer and jockey trends
The Tracker helps you spot patterns in trainer and jockey performances. You can find these insights by tapping “My TF” and then “View my horses”.
Timeform experts select three horses each week that they believe will win soon—perfect additions to your Tracker. This approach helps you build a collection of promising picks without extensive research.
Getting notified of key entries
The notification system combines simplicity with power. Your spam folder might catch email alerts. Moving the latest alert to your inbox should fix future deliveries.
Mobile device notification settings are easy to update:
- Go to “My TF”
- Select “View My Horses”
- Check if email alerts are active (text appears green)
The mobile website (timeform.com/racing) beats the app with extra features like form analysis. Race Pass subscribers get more perks, including video replays and exclusive Timeform data on trainer and jockey ledger pages.
Smart settings management means you’ll know exactly when your tracked horses run in Britain or Ireland. This gives you plenty of time to study form and place informed bets.
Tip 4: Read the Tip Sheet Like a Pro
The Timeform Tip Sheet helps new racing enthusiasts make smart betting decisions. Let me show you how this useful tool works and how you can make the most of it.
How the Timeform tip sheet is created
The Tip Sheet brings together Timeform Analyst Verdicts – expert betting tips for every race across the UK and Ireland. Timeform’s experienced analysts create these tips. They review the form, conditions, and many more factors before making their picks.
You can see tomorrow’s tips from 6 pm the night before. This gives you plenty of time to study the selections. Timeform provides a backup selection if a horse becomes a non-runner. You’ll always have a recommended pick for each race.
Using it alongside your own research
The Tip Sheet works best when you combine it with your own analysis.
Here’s how to tap into its full potential:
- Get the free Tip Sheet daily as a registered user
- Click any horse, jockey or trainer’s name in the Tip Sheet to see more details
- Pick a race time to get detailed information about every runner
Timeform offers special Grand National Tips when the famous steeplechase comes around. Betting is straightforward – just click the odds buttons to place your bet on a pick.
The Betslip feature lets you create multiple bets (like Lucky 15s) by clicking the +BET buttons next to your chosen selections. Your picks stay there until you’re ready to place your bet.
The Tip Sheet combines smoothly with other Timeform features. You can view all racecards, results and an A-Z of the day’s entries. It works great as a standalone betting guide and helps boost your own form study.
Tip 5: Understand Ratings and In-Play Hints
“Timeform analysis remains a long way ahead of its rivals not least because its race-reading is framed with pace firmly in mind, and pace is best measured by sectionals.” — Simon Rowlands, Racing Analyst and Author, former Timeform Head of Research
Timeform ratings help raise your betting strategy from guesswork to informed decision-making. These numerical assessments show a horse’s ability in pounds, not just their form or speed alone.
Timeform speed ratings explained
Timeform ratings are fundamentally different from timefigures. A rating looks at overall merit based on form, while a time figure shows the calculated time value of a single performance. The rating scale follows a precise mathematical relationship—more than 3 pounds per length at five furlongs, 2 pounds per length at a mile and a quarter, and 1 pound per length at two miles.
Flat racing ratings typically range from 130+ for exceptional horses to around 20 for the poorest performers. These ratings factor in weight-for-age, so equal ratings show horses of equal merit, whatever their age.
A single fast time figure points to an exceptional horse right away, but form evidence builds up slowly across many races. This means fast time figures often spot outstanding horses well before form evidence can.
Using in-play hints for trading or betting
In-play hints have revolutionised betting strategies by letting people wager during races. These hints come from Timeform’s race-reporting teams, tissue-compilers, and historical Betfair price data.
You can find these hints at the top of the Race Card views from 7 PM the evening before racing. They include:
- General hints that show predictability patterns over time
- Pace forecasts based on early positional figures from horses’ recent records
- Specific pace hints for horses suited/unsuited by forecast pace
- Individual price hints about horses that traded low yet lost, or high yet won
Timeform adds unique in-play symbols that show racing character and style—from leading positions (1=led/disputed lead) to finishing characteristics (F=found nothing).
How Betfair SP data helps assess value
Betfair Starting Price (BSP) serves as a standard for a horse’s true winning probability. Professional punters value this metric because it reflects all available information just before the race starts.
Finding bets at higher odds than the eventual BSP consistently suggests a profitable long-term strategy. When you beat the BSP regularly with your selections, you’re likely spotting genuine value.
You’ll find BSP data in each results section of Timeform, which lets you compare your analysis against this efficiency measure. This method matches “value betting” in other sports, where closing odds help assess bet quality.
The Timeform Guide Conclusion
Becoming skilled at Timeform gives racing enthusiasts a clear edge to improve their betting strategy. This piece shares tools and techniques that changed my approach to horse racing analysis. The Timeform Dashboard works as your command centre, and detailed Race Cards give you vital data to make informed decisions. On top of that, the Tracker system helps you spot promising horses at the right time.
The Tip Sheet goes beyond basics to give expert analysis that adds to your research without replacing it. Timeform ratings and in-play hints tap into a deeper level of analysis that casual bettors rarely use.
Timeform’s symbols, ratings, and special terms might look complex at first, but learning them pays off. The system has thrived since 1948, and with good reason too. These five tips will help you develop a natural sense to spot value and pick potential winners.
Note that winning every bet isn’t the goal – finding consistent value over time is what matters. Make Timeform your foundation, keep track of results, and adjust your approach based on what works for you. Your growing experience, combined with Timeform’s analytical power, will, without doubt, lead to better and more profitable racing experiences.
These Timeform techniques give you the structure you need to succeed, whether you’re planning a day at the races or creating a betting system. Start using these strategies now, and you’ll soon read Timeform like a pro.
Key Takeaways for The Timeform Guide
Master these five essential Timeform strategies to transform from casual racing fan to informed bettor with professional-level analysis skills.
• Set up your personalised dashboard – Use My Timeform’s free tracker and alerts to monitor promising horses, trainers, and receive automated notifications when they run.
• Focus on key race card data points – Prioritise Timeform ratings, form figures, symbols (p/P for improvers), and course/distance indicators over overwhelming details.
• Combine expert tips with personal research – Use the daily Tip Sheet as your starting foundation, then layer your own analysis for more confident betting decisions.
• Understand ratings measure ability, not just speed – Timeform ratings represent overall horse merit in pounds, with higher numbers indicating stronger winning chances under similar conditions.
• Track Betfair SP data to assess value – Compare your selections against Betfair Starting Prices to measure long-term profitability and identify genuine betting opportunities.
Success in horse racing betting isn’t about winning every wager—it’s about consistently finding value over time. These Timeform fundamentals provide the analytical foundation that has helped serious punters make informed decisions since 1948.
Timeform Guide FAQs
Q1. What is Timeform, and why is it important for horse racing? Timeform is a respected horse racing analysis system that has been providing ratings and insights since 1948. It’s important because it offers comprehensive data, expert analysis, and tools that help both new and experienced racing fans make more informed betting decisions.
Q2. How do I set up and use the Timeform Dashboard? To set up your Timeform Dashboard, click on “My Timeform” and select “Go”. You can then customise it by managing your dashboard settings, adding horses to track, and setting up notifications. The dashboard serves as your personal command centre for organising racing research and keeping track of promising horses.
Q3. What are the key elements to focus on in a Timeform Race Card? When reading a Timeform Race Card, pay attention to form figures, Timeform ratings, symbols and flags (like ‘p’ for likely improvers), weight information, days since last race, and course/distance indicators. These elements provide crucial information about each horse’s potential performance.
Q4. How can I use Timeform’s Tip Sheet effectively? The Timeform Tip Sheet provides expert betting tips for every race. To use it effectively, access it daily as a registered user, combine it with your research, and use the integrated features to view detailed information about runners, jockeys, and trainers. It’s best used as a complementary tool to enhance your form study.
Q5. What are Timeform ratings, and how do they differ from timefigures? Timeform ratings are numerical assessments of a horse’s overall ability, measured in pounds. They differ from time figures, which represent the calculated time value of a single performance. Ratings typically range from 130+ for exceptional horses to around 20 for poor performers, and they account for factors like weight-for-age to provide a comprehensive measure of a horse’s merit.
