The Cheltenham horse racing festival is one of the most exciting events of the year, and for many, weighing up the form for the races is as thrilling as watching the horses run themselves. With so many horses, jockeys and different levels of race experience, it can be a daunting prospect trying to find a winner.

The first step of successful form study is to familiarise yourself with jockeys and trainers. A jockey’s race record is a great guide as it will give an indication of the jockey’s experience and any previous wins they’ve had in major races. It’s also important to take into account trainer form – while a trainer may not have had a winning streak over recent months, if they’ve had success in major races in the past, they’re likely still a good bet.

When it comes to assessing a horse’s ability, there are several things to consider. Firstly, look at past performance records and their place in the race rankings. This will give an indication of who’s the most able horse. Secondly, consider the horse’s form over the past few months, both for distance and surface. Horses that have had consistent wins over a certain distance have a better chance of success. Finally, always look at the number of horse in the race and whether the horse is entered in a handicap or open race. In an open race it’s likely there will be a strong group of competitors, whereas a handicap might offer better chance if the horse is less able.

Ultimately, while form study is important, there’s always an element of luck and chance in horse racing. The key is to use any knowledge and experience you have, as well as research and gut instinct, to make an educated guess at who will win. Of course, win or lose, the Cheltenham horse racing festival is always an exhilarating experience.