Horse Racing Rules

In this article:

General Information & Settlement Rules

Abandonments/postponements/re-run races

Each-Way Betting

Future Racing

Non-runner no bet

Forecasts & Tricasts

Best Odds Guaranteed

Overseas Racing

Power Price, #WhatOddsPaddy, Specials


General Information & Settlement Rules

  • We pay double result on all horse racing selections running in Ireland and the UK which are covered in Full Service. Double result/first past the post bets are subject to the maximum payout limits set out in the maximum payout section of these rules (Note: applies only to meetings covered by Full Service).
  • The maximum payout limits apply even where a customer has taken prices, and except in the following cases:
  • Any bet in Ireland or the UK which includes a selection which is not covered in Full Service (i.e. point to point meeting) or for Virtual Racing, are subject to a maximum payout of £50,000.
  • Any bet which contains a selection running at a race meeting in any country outside of Ireland and the UK where race results are not covered in Full Service is subject to a maximum payout of £50,000.
  • Future Racing bets are subject to a maximum payment of £50,000.
  • Any bet containing a horse racing or greyhound market other than the conventional "to win the race" market is subject to a maximum payout of £50,000.
  • The maximum payment to any one customer betting on the Tote via Dial-a-Bet in respect of any one day's UK Jackpot or Placepot bets is £50,000 and £10,000 for Quadpots. Quadpots are also subject to a maximum payment of twice the total Tote pool, or twice the SP place accumulator returns, whichever is the lesser. Where we believe the Tote return has been affected by rigging we reserve the right to settle all Tote bets at the returned SP or its place equivalent.
  • Horse racing bets are automatically settled on a double result basis unless otherwise stated or as detailed in the double result section herein.
  • Future Racing bets are settled on the Rules of Racing unless otherwise advertised.
  • Where a result is amended after the weigh-in such an amendment will be ignored for settlement purposes. The advertised times of races, the runners, returns and results as published in the Racing Post (or the national press) will govern settlement of all bets, excepting errors and omissions. Unless otherwise provided for in these rules, all bets will be settled at starting price, with the place part of each-way bets settled as per place terms set out in these rules.
  • For overseas racing please refer to overseas racing section.
  • In the event of a walk-over named or unnamed selections will be void and treated as non-runners for settlement purposes.
  • Queries regarding errors should be made within 14 days of settlement of the bet.  
  • In a dead heat, the stake money on a selection is divided by the number of runners involved in the dead heat. The full odds are then paid to the divided stake with the remainder of the stake money being lost.
  • In a combined horses selection, if all tied runners were included in your selection there is no deduction. If one or more of the runners in a combined horses selection is tied with one or more runner not included in the combined horses selection then the returns are calculated based on reducing your stake as follows: Stake = Stake x (number of tied runners from combined horses selection/ number of tied runners) For example if 3 runners were tied, 2 of which were in the combined horses selection, the stake is x 2/3
  • When a selection is made void or does not run, then for single bets the stake will be returned. In accumulative bets the stake will run on to the remaining selection(s) with a double becoming a single and so on up.
  • Where one or more runners from a combined horses selection are declared non-runners the combined price will be recalculated based on the SPs of the remaining runners in the combined horses selection and the bet will be settled at this price. Where there is a single runner remaining in the combined horses selection the bet will be settled at the SP of that runner. Where all runners in a combined horses selection are declared non-runners, the bet will be voided.

Abandonments/postponements/re-run races

  • If a race programme is abandoned or postponed bets will be void.
  • However, on occasions when a major race is postponed we reserve the right to advertise and apply the following: Bets accepted after 10am on the day the final declarations are made will stand until that race is run, so long as the overnight declarations and race venue remain unchanged.
  • If races are set back in time on a day because of the weather, settlement of all bets will be ruled by the original advertised times.
  • If a race is re-run, betting in the first race will rule settlement.
  • In the event of a race being abandoned after the off, all bets placed after the final declarations had been published will be deemed void and stakes will be refunded.

Each-way betting

  • Each-way accumulative bets are settled win-to-win and place-to-place. In any race reduced to fewer than five starters, each-way bets will be taken as 'all-to-win' given that there are no places available.
  • In accumulative wagers, the bet reverts to normal place odds according to the number of runners in each race.  'Place bets' are not accepted unless at least an equal amount is invested to win, with the exceptions being Tote betting and on the occasions that we offer 'place only' betting on individual races as a special offer.
  • Where there is excess place money over win money in each-way bets, then that part of the bet will be void, win or lose. When special place betting is offered for a race, this will rule settlement for all place bets on that race.
  • The following governs settlement of the place part of each-way bets in races where we are not offering a promotion paying out on extra places:
  • Handicaps of 16 or more runners: 1/4 odds for the first four places Handicaps of 12-15 runners: 1/4 odds for the first three places All other races of 8 or more runners: 1/5 odds for the first three places All races of 5, 6 or 7 runners: 1/4 odds for the first two places All races of less than 5 runners: all place stakes will be treated as win stakes.
  • From time to time we may offer promotions that pay out on extra placings in a horse race. In these instances we reserve the right to alter the standard place terms as set out above (e.g. we may offer to pay out 5 or 6 places in a handicap with 16 or more runners but to do so at 1/5 of the odds as opposed to standard 1/4). These promotions are not confined to handicaps. The onus is on the customer at all times to check the each way terms on offer particularly in those races where we are offering additional place payouts.
  • For overseas racing where we pay pari-mutuel returns the each way terms will be as determined by the local pari-mutuel rules.

Favourites

  • Starting price bets will be accepted each-way for first favourites, win-only for second favourites, and each-way for first favourites only in greyhound racing.
  • The favourite is the selection quoted in the official starting price returns at the shortest odds. The second favourite is the horse quoted at the next shortest odds. If two horses are quoted at the same odds and these odds are shorter than those quoted against any other horses, then these two are equal first favourite and equal second favourite. If two or more co-favourites are thus selected, the stake will be divided equally between them.
  • When a returned favourite does not come under starter's orders and is withdrawn, then that unnamed favourite will be treated as a non-runner with bets on the second favourite settled on the second favourite. The only exceptions to this provision are speciality bets such as Jackpot or Placepot bets where, if there is a withdrawn favourite, the next lowest priced horse is the one taken as to substitute for a non-runner that under the rules has to be replaced by the 'favourite'.

Double result

  • Double result is only applicable to horse racing in Ireland and the UK where an industry SP is returned.
  • Double result means if your horse is first past the post you get paid, however, should your horse be awarded the race or promoted to a place, as a result of a stewards enquiry or an objection which is announced before the 'weigh in' or 'winner alright', we will still pay you.
  • In a combined Horses bet, the bet remains a winner if a runner in a combined horses selection is first past the post and another horse is promoted to a winner. The bet is promoted to winner if the runner in a combined horses selection is promoted to winner where the first past the post was not in the combined horses selection.
  • We offer Double Result on Place Betting, Betting Without Favourite, Fallers Insurance, Combined Horses & all Insurebet Markets.
  • Double result does not apply to the following bets or circumstances:
  • a. All Future Racing bets.
  • b. Bets which rely on Tote dividends ie. Jackpots, Placepots etc which are settled on the Rules of Racing.
  • c. Any horse disqualified for taking the wrong course or for carrying an incorrect weight.
  • d. Races which are declared void.
  • e. Where there is an official correction to the result by the judge or SIS prior to the 'weigh in' and any races which are declared void before the 'weigh in' for which Rules of Racing will apply.
  • f. All bets on horse racing outside of Ireland and the UK (which shall be settled on a Rules of Racing basis only).
  • g. All bets on horse racing within Ireland and the UK where an industry SP is not returned in respect of the applicable race (such bets shall be settled on a Rules of Racing basis only).
  • h. All bets placed on Betting in Running markets (which will be settled on a Rules of Racing basis only).
  • j. Power Prices, #WhatOddsPaddy or Specials

    k. The Aintree Grand National

Future Racing

  • For the avoidance of doubt, Future Racing and Antepost bets refer to the same market type and either term may be used interchangeably.
  • All racing Future Racing bets are accepted and settled on a Rules of Racing basis only.
  • Future Racing bets are accepted at quoted prices, up to and including the day prior to the event, on the basis of all in, run or not, entered or not. Therefore selections not taking part in the race/event concerned are losers.
  • Future Racing bets are those placed at our quoted prices on horses and prior to the race becoming classed as 'day of event' (day of event is a term used to describe the time at which overnight declarations are made, usually 10am on the day preceding the race (or two days for certain Group 1 races) for horse racing and the day of the race for greyhounds).
  • All bets placed after the overnight declaration stage are settled in accordance with our early prices/day of race rules.
  • In line with principals laid down by Tattersalls Rules of Racing, Future Racing bets will be void under the following circumstances, otherwise bets stand:
  • a. If the race is abandoned or declared void.
  • b. If the venue of the race is altered or postponed to a later date at a different track.
  • c. If the race is postponed to a later date at the same track with entries totally reopened bets placed after the initial entries are void, but bets placed prior to the initial entry stage will stand. All bets will stand if a race is postponed to later date at the same track with the same entries, whether the bet was placed before or after the initial entries stage.
  • d. If the horse is balloted out or eliminated under Jockey Club rules single bets will be void. In any such cases, accumulative Future Racing bets will stand on the remaining legs, at the prices laid on the selections in those races, with a double becoming a single, a treble becoming a double, etc.
  • e. In the event of horses being withdrawn under Jockey Club/Turf Club rules, to limit the number of entries taken part, these horses shall be void. The liability of a layer against horses remaining will be reduced on both win and place parts of such bets, in accordance with the rate to be announced before the race by Tattersalls Committee, dependant on the odds currently available against the withdrawn horses at the time of withdrawal. All bets are executed at the price ruling at the time of handing in of the bet. We reserve the right to correct any palpable error. Win doubles, trebles, etc are calculated at full accumulative odds. Each-way doubles and trebles etc. are settled win-to-win, place-to-place, and for the place part of such bets, the fractional odds pertaining at the time of acceptance. Place only bets, conditional bets and forecast bets are not accepted Future Racing. When the same selection is backed to win two or more races/events in Future Racing bets, special odds are applicable. These special odds will supersede the accumulative odds calculated from the individual event prices irrespective of the fact that the individual event prices may be endorsed on the slip. If special odds were not available, the stake will be divided equally as singles at the prices available at the time the bet was placed.
  • f. Any horse that does not qualify for, or is expunged from a race will be settled as a loser. Bets taken on a horse after they have not qualified by the applicable qualifying date will be voided.

Non-runner no bet

  • Future Racing betting ceases at 10am on the day of the overnight declaration stage and all bets placed after that stage will be 'non-runner no bet', ie. your bet stake will be refunded if your horse fails to compete. Tattersalls Rule 4 may apply.

Late withdrawals - Tattersall's Rule 4

  • In all horse races, excluding Future Racing bets, if a horse is withdrawn, not under starter's orders, bets will be settled in accordance with Tattersalls Rule 4(c), which says that backers of the withdrawn horse will have their stakes refunded.
  • When there has not been time for the market to reform, deductions are made from winnings (exclusive of stake) according to the table below.
  • In cases of more than one withdrawal in a race, the total deduction will not exceed £0.90 in £1.00.
  • When there has been time to reform the market, deductions will apply only to bets at prices struck prior to the announcement of the withdrawal.
  • (All rates in £)
  • The below scale will also apply in the case of non-runners in early price races and will be used for other events where we specifically advertise, either in these rules or at the event itself that Tattersalls Rule 4 (abbreviated to Rule 4) may apply.
  • The below scale will also apply in the case of non-runners in a combined horses selection. The deduction is made from winnings (exclusive of stake) based on the combined price taken. The exception to this is when one of the runners in a combined horses selection is a non-runner in which case combined horses non-runner rules apply.
  • For withdrawals relating to Future Racing, advertised early prices and greyhounds please refer to the appropriate section.

Reserves

  • The price of any reserves which run, will be offset against any Rule 4 deduction applicable from the non-runner(s).
  • If a reserve is priced in our Early Prices Lists and subsequently becomes a Non Runner there shall be no Rule 4 deduction as a result of the withdrawal. However if a reserve takes the place of a withdrawn horse and therefore becomes an official runner after the racecourse declaration stage (ie 45 minutes before the first race) then there will be a Rule 4 deduction applicable from that time onwards if it subsequently is withdrawn.

No official SP returned (UK & Ireland)

  • Selections in races where no official SPs are returned from racecourses in the UK or Ireland will be settled at the industry SP (if returned).
  • If no official SP or industry SP is returned bets will be settled as following:All bets where no price is taken (including forecasts, tricasts and unnamed favourites) will be settled at the last price offered by Paddy Power immediately prior to the commencement of the race.Where no prices are displayed for horse racing, bets will be settled at the appropriate Tote returns and all greyhound racing bets will be void.Bets on unnamed favourites and second favourites will stand for races where an official or industry SP is returned, but will be void if neither SP is returned.
  • Note: For Tote Placepot/Quadpot bets - when no official SP is returned and an industry SP is returned in its place, Tote bets on unnamed favourites are settled on the Tote favourite and not the industry SP favourite.

Taking a price - advertised early prices

  • Bets accepted at our advertised prices after 10am on the day of the overnight declarations are not Future greyhounds bets and will be settled in accordance with the terms advertised.
  • Prices advertised for 'early price' races are available subject to fluctuation up to the time as displayed in our offices.
  • In the event of a horse being withdrawn, not under starter's orders, stakes on that selection will be returned. Bets for the remaining horses in that race will be subject to a deduction in accordance with Tattersall's Rule 4 (c), based on the price of the withdrawn horse at the time of withdrawal (see table above).
  • Should any greyhound be withdrawn from an advertised 'early price' greyhound race all bets on that race shall be settled at starting price.


Show/screen prices

  • Should a horse be withdrawn, and where Tattersall's Rule 4(c) would apply, no prices may be laid after the withdrawal unless the market has reformed. Any such bets laid in error will be settled at SP or the next immediate price offered after withdrawal, whichever is the greater.
  • Should any greyhound be withdrawn all bets placed at a show price prior to withdrawal on that race will be settled at starting price.

Forecasts

  • Subject to the following rules, we accept forecast singles, doubles and trebles as part of our normal business. Any forecast accumulators accepted in error, which do not comply to the format and conditions above, will be settled as forecast trebles, with the stake involved being equally split over the number of trebles available.
  • Forecast bets are settled from the returns declared by the CSF or BAGS/BEGS F/C. Any bonus for forecast doubles or trebles is added to the calculated total return, i.e. excluding any leg by leg bonus.
  • Forecast bets are void when: one of the selections does not run, less than three runners take part in the event, or you select unnamed favourites. If an unnamed favourite appears among the named selections, only that part of your bet including the unnamed favourite is void.
  • If for any reason, no CSF or BAGS/BEGS forecast is returned, bets will be settled by reference to the NSL Straight Forecast Chart.
  • In the event of a selection finishing alone, a forecast dividend with any other runner will be declared.

Tricasts

  • Tricast bets, in which selections must finish first, second and third in the correct order in specified races are accepted in single bets only. Stakes for any tricast double, treble, etc accepted in error will be divided equally to cover each tricast race in tricast singles only.
  • Horse and greyhound (BAGS/BEGS) tricasts are only accepted on races for which a computer tricast dividend is declared. Any tricasts accepted for races which no tricast dividend is declared will be settled as computerised straight forecasts on the selections nominated to finish first and second, with the selection for third place discounted.
  • Any tricast which contains an unnamed favourite, that selection will be settled as a non-runner.
  • Tricasts will be settled in accordance with the official computerised return.
  • Should a tricast include a non-runner, the total stake will be invested as a computerised straight forecast on the remaining two selections in the order selected. In the case of combination tricasts the total stake will be invested as a reversed straight forecast on the remaining two selections.
  • If less than three horses finish in a tricast race, a dividend will be declared on those that finish.
  • Should a tricast include two non-runners, the bet will be void.
  • Examples of the above
  • i) Full cover (24 bets) selections A, B, C, D with D as a non-runner is settled in the following manner: Full cover tricast A, B, C = 6 bets full cover forecast (3 x stake unit) A, B, C = 18 bets
  • ii) The same bet but with C and D as non-runners is settled as following: Full cover forecast (6 x stake unit) A,B = 12 bets plus 12 Single bets void.

Fixed Odds Forecasts & Tricasts

  • Should there be any non-runners in a race, bets will be settled at Industry Dividends. 
  • Should any selection included within a fixed odds forecast or fixed odds tricast bet be a non-runner, the entire forecast or tricast bet in question will be void.

Best Odds Guaranteed

  • For horse racing markets, Best Odds Guaranteed is an opt in promotion and is available to customers who have opted into the promotion via the promotion page before placing a bet and whose registration address or registration country is in the Republic of Ireland or the UK.
  • We offer Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish Horse Racing meetings from 8am on the day of the race. So, if you take a price on a horse and the Starting Price (SP) is bigger we will pay you out at the bigger odds.
  • For Example:
    If you take a price of 3/1 and the selection wins with an SP of 4/1, we pay you 4/1.
    If you take a price of 3/1 and the selection wins with an SP of 2/1, we still pay you 3/1.
    Best Odds Guaranteed applies to Singles & Multiples on win & each way markets only.
    Best Odds Guaranteed applies to all Irish and UK Horse Racing from 8am the following day from when you opt in.
    Best Odds Guaranteed does not apply to:
  • Bets placed at ante-post odds
  • Betting-in-running bets
  • Combined horse bets
  • Bets on international racing
  • Customers whose registered address is outside the UK or Ireland
  • Power Price selections
  • Bets placed using a Power Up
  • Bets placed using a free bet or partial free bet
  • For commercial reasons, Paddy Power may exclude selected customers from receiving various promotions including Best Odds Guaranteed, such exclusion which shall be communicated by email or otherwise.

Overseas Racing

  • With the exception from European and Latin American Racing mentioned below)
  • All horse racing outside Ireland or the UK are settled on a Rules of Racing basis only. In countries where bookmakers do operate and an official starting price is returned, bets are accepted in accordance with our general rules and any conditional rules applicable to the country concerned, as advertised by Paddy Power.
  • SP bets on Australian racing will be determined by the last Paddy Power price.
  • In countries where there is no starting price market in operation, bets maybe accepted at the following where available:
  • 1. Paddy Power early prices or SIS industry shows. Where Paddy Power offers fixed odds early prices, and no SP option, forecast and tricast betting bets will be settled at the last shown Paddy Power price.
  • 2. For selected meetings when an SIS/industry SP is in operation and advertised, bets not at an early or show price will be settled at the SIS/industry SP and not at pari-mutuel returns. (Bets may be accepted at pari-mutuel returns for meetings when an SIS/industry is in operation only if we display this facility - otherwise bets will be settled at the industry SP).
  • 3. When there is no SIS/industry SP in operation bets placed not at an early or show price will be settled at pari-mutuel returns.

European Racing On Line and Retail Offer

  • All European races are settled on the official result provided by the local Horse Racing Authority on the racing day after and including Steward Inquiry and objections.
  • When Paddy Power offers prices, the last shown Paddy Power price will be the SP option.
  • Forecast and Tricast bets will be settled at the last shown Paddy Power prices.
  • When there is NO Paddy Power price, the local Tote dividends for all meetings or races will be the official results and payout (Coupling Rules applied)
  • Forecast and Tricasts (when available) will be taken for the referring Tote.

Coupling Rules in Europe

  • Pari Mutuel in Europe follows the coupling rules when 2 or more runners have the same ownerships.
  • In Europe when a horse is coupled it is so only for bets in the Win pool (Not Place). 
  • If you bet on a horse that is coupled with one or more horses, your bet includes all horses under the said number (e.g. 1, 1a, 1b) or letter (A, B, C...)
  • If one of the entries is a non-runner your bet will stand on the remaining coupled selection
  • Coupling arrangements will not apply where a fixed price (or Paddy Power last prices/Industry SP) is taken on any European Racing. Bets will be settled based on the published result from the host track.

Latin American Racing On Line Offer

  • For Latin American Racing, if Paddy Power offers Early Prices, bets taken at SP will be settled at the last price shown by Paddy Power.
  • Forecast and Tricast betting bets will be settled at the last shown Paddy Power prices.
  • Paddy Power will offer Prices for each single runners including when the runners are coupled on the Latin American Totes. Paddy Power will setttle the results accordingly to the finishing arrival orders sent by SIS.
  • For Latin American racing if Paddy Power does not offer Early Prices, bets will be settled at the last industry price shown.
  • Forecast and Tricast (when suitable) will be calculated by the Industry Prices.

US racing rules

Paddy Power offers fixed odds betting on all US Tracks it covers. Sp bets on US racing will be settled using the last Paddy Power show price. If the surface of the race changes for whatever reason all bets will stand. Standard each way terms will apply; show/place only wagering is not in place. All bets will be settled on the official result as declared by the racetrack.

Coupled horses: For the purpose of fixed odds wagering Paddy Power individually prices each horse in a coupling. If one entry of a coupling is a non-runner bets on that selection will be void while all bets will stand on the other part of the coupling; even if the track declares this part of the entry to be running for purse money only.

Purse Money Only: in the event of the local stewards declaring a horse is running for purse money only in any other event than the above circumstance where they are one part of a coupling bets on that selection will be voided and a rule 4 may apply.

Forecasts and tricasts (where applicable) will be settled at the industry returned dividends.

Any extra markets offered will be subject to normal Paddy Power rules.

Power Price, #WhatOddsPaddy, Specials

  • In the event of any non-runner(s) in any of the races from which the above have been selected we reserve the right to revert the bet to SP.
  • In Both To Finish/All To Finish markets bets will be void if any named selection is a non-runner, Rule 4 will apply if there are non-runners in the race as per the place only rule 4 table found below.
  • Named Selection To Win & Either To Finish 2nd will be settled as void if any of the named selections are non-runners. This market will be subject to a rule 4 deduction if there is a non-runner in the race.
  • Named selections to finish in that exact order will be void if any named selection is a non-runner. This market will be subject to a rule 4 deduction if there is a non-runner in the race.
  • Named selection to win by "X Lengths Or More" will be void if the named selection is a non-runner & subject to a rule 4 if there is a non-runner in the race.
  • Named selection to win by "X Lengths Or More & Y To Finish 2nd" will be void if either named selection is a non-runner & subject to a rule 4 if there is a non-runner in the race.
  • Jockey Specials will be void should the jockey not take part at a meeting for any reason. Should a jockey miss any of their booked rides, selections that could have been determined will be settled and all others voided. If a jockey picks up any spare rides these will not be counted towards their number of winners. If any of the jockey's rides are non-runners the bet will revert to SP settlement, for example 'to ride 3 winners' from 4 rides with 1 becoming a non-runner will be settled as an SP treble should the other 3 win.
  • All horse racing special markets will be settled on the basis of standard place terms and will not take into account any enhanced terms that we may be offering at the time. For example, All SP favs to place at Cheltenham will be settled, for each race, on the basis of our standard place terms.
  • Where bets are offered on the going of any horse racing meetings, those bets will be settled on the basis of the Racing Post's "going" description of the first race of such meeting (ignoring any references to ground conditions "in places).  For example, if the Racing Post description is heavy (soft in places) , bets will be settled as heavy.
  • Top jockey/trainer/owner markets will be settled on the basis of the official result of the applicable track. In the event of multiple winners, Paddy Power's normal Dead Heat rules will apply.
  • For special bets which have been placed on total number of winning SP favourites at named meetings, if there are joint/co favourites for any of the applicable races, the favourite for that race will, for settlement purposes, be deemed to be the horse with the lowest racecard number.

Winning distance / How far will it win by

  • Betting on the winning distance will be on races only as displayed.
  • The winning distance will be that margin, as officially announced between the winning horse and the second.
  • All winning distance bets are settled on a first past the post basis only, i.e. double result does not apply.
  • In the event of a withdrawal resulting in a Rule 4 of 10c or greater in a race where we offer distance betting the full Rule 4 amount will be applied to the Overs.
  • In the event of a selection being withdrawn the not to win price of the favourite will be subject to a reverse rule 4. eg 8/1 shot withdrawn, favourite 1/1 not to win. Reverse rule 4 of 10c applies. Fav not to win settled at 11/10
  • We will pay double result in accordance with our rules on Distance Specials.
  • Where there is only one finisher in a race:
  • Where a distance special selection is the only finisher in a race, the over on the distance special will be settled as the winner and all other selections in the market will be settled as losers.
  • If there is only one finisher in the race and it is not the distance special selection, all distance bets on that selection will be settled as losers.
  • 3-way distance betting markets where no individual selections are named:
  • When there is only one finisher, the over on this market will be settled as a winner and the under and middle options in this market will be settled as losers.

Lengthen Your Odds

  • Bets will be settled on the official distance between the named selection & the horse that finishes 2nd.
  • In the event of a horse being withdrawn, not under starter's orders, stakes on that selection will be returned. Bets for the remaining horses in the race will be subject to a deduction in accordance with Tattersall's Rule 4(c) based on the win price of the withdrawn horse(s) at the time of withdrawal, (see Tattersall's Rule 4 table above).

Betting without

  • Where we offer prices on an event without a nominated selection, for settlement purposes the finishing position of the 'without' selection will be ignored.
  • Any each-way terms advertised are settled on the actual number of runners who take part in the race, excluding the 'without' selection.

Nominate horses to finish the course etc.

  • All bets are settled in accordance with the official returns in the Racing Post (excluding errors), or in its absence the national press.

Special win and/or place multiples

  • Where we quote a price for two or more specified selections in a win or place multiple, settlement will revert to SP if there is a non-runner of 10/1 or less in any leg of the bet.

Horse match betting

  • Where we quote special match betting, all bets are settled Rules of Racing according to the official returns in the following days Racing Post.
  • Bets are settled on the best finishing position.
  • For flat racing, in the event of the two named horses not completing the course, bets will be settled on the distance travelled by each horse. 
  • For National Hunt races the number of obstacles cleared will decide the outcome. In the event of both horses clearing the same number of fences/hurdles bets will be void.
  • Bets will be voided in the event of a Dead Heat.

Combined winning distances for a meeting

  • Distances for each race meeting are settled on a 'first past the post' basis. If any of the scheduled races at a meeting are not run, bets are void unless the maximum quote has been attained.
  • The maximum winning distance per race for a flat race is 12 lengths while a National Hunt race is 30 lengths. This also applies should only one horse complete the race.
  • Distances are as follows:
  • Nose - 0.05
  • Short Head: 0.1
  • Head: 0.2
  • Neck: 0.3
  • Half a length: 0.5
  • 3/4 of a length: 0.75
  • 1 length: 1
  • Etc...
  • No Finishers - If there are no finishers in a race, it shall be treated as void
  • Walkovers will be excluded from all markets unless created by the withdrawal of a horse after we have begun quoting a market concerning the race in question, in which case the make-ups will be as follows
  • Distances: Flat 5 lengths, National Hunt 12 lengths.

Jockey number of winners

  • If the jockey rides any horse which, according to that days Racing Post he was not scheduled to ride, that ride does not count for the purposes of bets on that jockey.

Today's hot pots

  • How many of the selected horses will win their respective races today? If any of the selected horses are non-runners all bets are void unless the maximum quote has already been attained.

Winning favourites

  • If the favourite is withdrawn the second favourite replaces the favourite for this market. If both the first and second favourites are withdrawn the next lowest horse(s) in the betting counts for this market.
  • If neither an official SP nor industry SP is returned on any of the included races - all bets on this market are void.
  • If any of the scheduled races at a meeting are not run, bets are void unless the quoted number of winners has already been reached.

Place Only betting

  • In the event of a horse being withdrawn, not under starter's orders, stakes on that selection will be returned.
  • Bets for the remaining horses in the race will be subject to a deduction based on the Paddy Power place only price of the withdrawn horse(s) at the time of the withdrawal, (see Paddy Power Place Only Rule 4 Table below) e.g. Horse X priced at 1/1 in the place only -2 places market, then the rule 4 deduction of 30c based on the 1/1 place price shall apply to the 'place only' betting market.
  • The number of places being paid shall remain constant e.g. If we are originally paying three places and the race is reduced to 7 or less runners we shall still pay 3 places. The only exception to this is when the number of runners is equal to or less than the number of places on offer. In this instance all bets are void. Normal dead-heat rules apply.
  • Double Result concession does apply to this market.

Insurebet 2 Places

  • Price offered is for the horse to win the race. If the horse finishes second the bet stake is returned.
  • In the event of a horse being withdrawn, not under starter's orders, stakes on that selection will be returned. Bets for the remaining horses in the race will be subject to a deduction in accordance with Tattersall's Rule 4(c) based on the win price of the withdrawn horse(s) at the time of withdrawal, (see Tattersall's Rule 4 table above) e.g. Horse X priced at 4/1 in the win market and 11/4 in the "Insurebet 2 Places" market is withdrawn then a Rule 4 deduction of 20c based on the 4/1 win price shall apply to the "Insurebet 2 Places" market. In the event of a race being reduced to 4 or less runners all bets are void. Normal dead-heat rules apply.
  • Double Result concession does apply to this market.


Money back if 2nd

  • Price offered is for the horse to win the race. If the horse finishes second the bet stake is returned.
  • In the event of a horse being withdrawn, not under starter's orders, stakes on that selection will be returned. Bets for the remaining horses in the race will be subject to a deduction in accordance with Tattersall's Rule 4(c) based on the win price of the withdrawn horse(s) at the time of withdrawal, (see Tattersall's Rule 4 table above) e.g. Horse X priced at 4/1 in the win market and 11/4 in the "Money back if 2nd" market is withdrawn then a Rule 4 deduction of 20c based on the 4/1 win price shall apply to the "Money back if 2nd" market. In the event of a race being reduced to 4 or less runners all bets are void. Normal dead-heat rules apply.
  • Double Result concession does apply to this market.

 

Money back if your horse falls

  • Price offered is for the horse to win the race.
  • If the horse falls, unseats the jockey or is brought down the bet stake is returned. It does not apply to horses that Slip Up, Refuse, Run Out or get Carried Out.
  • In the event of a horse being withdrawn, not under starter's orders, stakes on that selection will be returned.
  • Bets for the remaining horses in the race will be subject to a deduction in accordance with Tattersall's R4(c) based on the Win price of the withdrawn horse(s) at the time of withdrawal, (see Tattersall's R4 table under Horse Racing rules). E.g. Horse X priced at 4/1 in the win market and 11/4 in the "Money back if your horse falls" market is withdrawn then a R4 deduction of 20c based on the 4/1 Win price shall apply to the "Money back if your horse falls" market.
  • Refunded bets will be settled as soon as possible but in some cases may take up to an hour.
  • Where disputes arise results will be taken from www.sportinglife.com.

Favourites Index

  • Quotation is made on the basis that the horse which is the SP favourite is awarded 25 points if it wins, 10 points if it is second and 5 points if it is third. Points will be awarded for first 3 places irrespective of Each Way terms
  • If there are joint or co-favourites in a race, the horse with the lowest race card number is considered, for the purposes of the bet, to be the favourite
  • If the returned favourite (as published in the following day's tabloid edition of the Racing Post) has not come under starter's orders then, for the purposes of the bet if its price at the time of withdrawal is:
  • Equal to or greater than 5/1, 5 points will be awarded.
  • Less than 5/1 but greater than evens, 10 points will be awarded.
  • Evens or less, 15 points will be awarded.
  • No Finishers - If there are no finishers in a race, it shall be treated as void
  • Walkovers will be excluded from all markets unless created by the withdrawal of a horse after we have begun quoting a market concerning the race in question, in which case the make-ups will be as follows:
  • Favourite: 20 points.
  • If the returned favourite dead-heats for one of the places then it will be awarded the average points of the two places involved.
  • For example, a dead-heat for first would be awarded the average of 25 + 10 points = 17.5 points
  • A dead-heat for second would be awarded the average of 10 + 5 points = 7.5 points.
  • A dead-heat for third would be awarded the average of 5 + 0 points = 2.5 points.

#WhatOddsPaddy Horse Racing Rules

  • The rules in this sub-section apply specifically to the settlement of any horse racing bets which are placed via #whatoddspaddy ("WOP"). All other settlement rules which are included in this "Horse Racing Rules" section (or elsewhere on this website) will also apply to the settlement of WOP bets unless they contradict, or conflict with, those included in this sub-section (in which case, the rules in this sub-section shall take precedence).
  • WOP bets shall be settled in accordance with Paddy Power's "Horse Racing Place Terms" which are accessible here.
  • If a WOP multiple is placed and one of the horses on which the bet was placed is a non-runner, the odds for the remaining selections will be calculated and settled on the basis of their SPs.
  • For the avoidance of doubt, Paddy Power's Dead Heat rules (which appear earlier in this "Horse Racing Rules" section) apply to WOP bets.
  •  For the avoidance of doubt, the "Late withdrawals - Tattersall's Rule 4" sub-section included above will apply to all WOP bets.  
  • For WOP bets which have been placed on all starting price favourites to be placed during a given day of a meeting, if there are joint/co favourites for any of the applicable races, the favourite for that race will, for settlement purposes, be deemed to be the horse with the lowest racecard number.
  • For a horse to be deemed not to have been placed in a given race, it must have started that race.
  • WOP Jockey specials apply to Racing Post-declared rides only.

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