What is Ante Post Betting And How Does it Work?
Last Updated: 25 Aug 2023
Share On Your Network
Ante post betting allows you to bet on the winner of a race several days, weeks or months before it takes place.
This guide explains the key pros and cons of ante post betting. Find out how to locate ante post horse racing markets at Irish betting sites and learn what happens if your chosen horse is a non-runner.
Why Choose Ante Post Betting?
Ante post betting offers you the chance to earn bigger profits by taking an early price on a promising horse to win a big race.
Top online bookmakers and new betting sites sites generally release ante post odds for major races like the Grand National or Cheltenham Gold Cup several months in advance.
If a horse performs well in the build-up to the race, bookies typically respond by slashing its odds. However, if the horse struggles, the odds normally lengthen.
Let's look at an example:
- In February 2019, Tiger Roll was priced at 20/1 to win a second consecutive Grand National after the weights were announced. If you backed Tiger Roll at that time, you would have netted a €200 profit from his victory a couple of months later.
- In March 2019, Tiger Roll won the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and the bookmakers responded by slashing his odds to win the Grand National.
- On the 6th of April, Tiger Roll ran in the Grand National at a starting price of just 4/1. A €10 bet on Tiger Roll placed on the morning of the Grand National would have resulted in a profit of only €40.
In a nutshell, ante post betting is ideal if you believe a horse will show form in the build-up to a major race, as you can take advantage of better early odds.
Top Ante Post Betting Sites
Established 2008
New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. Play Responsibly www.begambleaware.org.
Established 2012
18+. T&C's apply
Established 2007
IRE/NI new customers only. Min Deposit €/£10. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. Free Bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. Free Bets expire in 7 days. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment method restrictions. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Pros & Cons of Ante Post Betting
Pros
Potential to bank bigger profits
Fun to follow a horse’s progress as they take part in build-up races
Can hedge your bets if your horse's odds shorten in build-up
Cons
Starting price could end up bigger than ante post odds
Bet will usually lose if your chosen horse doesn't run
Top Ante Post Betting Tips
These are our top five tips for making successful ante post bets at the best horse racing betting sites:
- Choose elite horses that have managed to remain free of injuries and behavioural issues throughout their careers. Your bet will lose if the horse does not take part, so it is important to identify consistent performers.
- Check the news for comments from the horse’s trainer or owner. They will normally indicate which big races they are targeting, so you can have a degree of confidence that the horse will take part.
- Consider which races the horse is likely to compete in during the build-up to the big meeting. Try to predict how well it will fare, taking into account the distance, the quality of the race, typical conditions and the strength of key rivals.
- Look out for 'Non Runner No Bet' promotions at top bookies and betting apps. These promotions will earn you a cash refund if your chosen horse does not compete.
- Consider hedging your bets. If the odds on your chosen runner shorten considerably by the week of the race, you can afford to back a few rivals and can land a profit if any of them win. A hedging calculator, which you'll easily find online, can help you decide how much to bet on each runner in this scenario.
What if my Horse is a Non-Runner?
Most bookmakers will settle your ante post bet as a loser if the horse is a non-runner. However, there are certain exceptions. As mentioned above, if non runner no bet is in play, you will get a refund.
You will also get your money back if the race is cancelled or if it is run at a different venue than the one initially scheduled. If the horse is balloted out of the race, your ante post bet will be voided and you will receive your money back too. It is also worth noting that you will be reimbursed if entries are reopened.
Those rules apply at most bookmakers. However, the terms and conditions can vary from one site to the next, so check a site’s ante post betting rules in its general terms or ask customer service for information.
More Ante Post Betting Options
Established 2001
18+. New Customers only. Bet €10* & Get £€30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between €5* and €10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
18+ New Customers opt in, deposit and bet up to €100 at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of registration. Card payments only. Matched bonus paid in free bets; 7 day expiry. Residents of Ireland only. T&Cs apply. gamblingcare.ie | Please Gamble Responsibly
Established 2020
18+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply
How to Find Ante Post Markets
Navigate to the horse racing section of a betting site. There will normally be a tab at the top of the screen for ante post markets. They will often include the English Classics; Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National and so on, alongside big international races like the Melbourne Cup and the Breeders’ Cup.
Compare Ante Post Odds
Final Word From Our Betting Experts
Ante post betting can be a lucrative strategy if employed correctly. But, like all forms of betting, it's not without its risks. You can lose your stake if your chosen runner does not compete and you may also find that a horse you had high hopes for endures a poor run of form and ends up starting the race with longer odds than you took all those weeks ago.
Punters who want to cash in on ante post betting markets should do plenty of research and should look for some insurance with non runner no bet promos that give you your stake back as a free bet if your horse doesn't run.
Recommended Betting Sites
Affiliate Disclosure:
At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links. This means that if you visit a website through our link and make a deposit, Gambling.com will receive a commission payment at no extra cost to you.
At Gambling.com, we want to ensure that players are matched with the right casino and sportsbook offers for them. For this reason, some of the recommended site links are affiliate links.
More
- Our Top Pick1
Established 202218+. T&C Apply - 2
Established 202018+. T&C Apply - 3
Established 1929New customers online only. £/€10 min stake (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place). Receive £/€30 Tote Credit within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7 day expiry. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. http://BeGambleaware.org . - 4
Established 202118+. T&C Apply - 5
Established 202218+ T&C's Apply
- 6
Established 202218+. New Depositors Only. Min. Dep: €10. Max Bonus €100 + 10 Spins on Book of Dead. The welcome offer requires 1 deposit. Welcome bonus must be used within 14 days or it expires. spins expire after 24h. Bonus subject to 9x wagering with min. Odds 2.00 per single bet or 1.40 per combo bet selection. Spins subject to 35x wagering
- 7
Established 202018+ New Players only. For free bet wagering requirements and minimum odds read T&C’s. www.begambleaware.org Terms Apply
- 8
Established 202118+, Welcome Bonus: New Players only, 1st Deposit, Min Deposit,: €10, max €10 free bet valid for 14 days, bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 or greater and be settled within 14 days of placement. System bets not eligible. Neteller,Skrill and Paypal not eligible. T&Cs apply
- 9
Established 202218+. T&C Apply
- 10
Established 202318+ T&C Apply.
- 11
Established 202118+. T&C Apply
- 12
Established 202118+. T&C Apply
- 13
Established 2007IRE/NI new customers only. Min Deposit €/£10. Min stake €/£10. Min odds Evs. Free Bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. Free Bets expire in 7 days. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP address only. Account & Payment method restrictions. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. 30 days to qualify. 18+. T&Cs apply.
- 14
Established 200318+ New Players only. Gamble responsibly. www.begambleaware.org
- 15
Established 200118+. New Customers only. Bet €10* & Get £€30* in Free Bets. Sign up, deposit between €5* and €10* to your account and bet365 will give you three times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value and they are settled. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration Required. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply.
- 16
Established 202018+. New customers only. Min deposit €10, maximum bonus that can be awarded in this promotion is €100. T&C's apply.
- 17
Established 202118+, New Customers Only, Play Responsibly, T&C Apply. Eligible customers will receive 100% up to €100 (or equivalent to € in other currencies) on top of the deposited amount instantly upon entering the bonus code for this promotion: DACH100S. The minimum deposit eligible for participating in this promotion is €10 (or equivalent to € in other currencies). The maximum bonus amount for this promotion is €100 (or equivalent to € in other currencies). The maximum bonus conversion is 10 times the awarded bonus.
- 18
Established 202318+. T&C Apply
- 19
Established 1997Min deposit £/€/$10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £/€/$10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.50) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager the bonus amount 40 times within 14 days • Casino Bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions, payment methods, country & Full T&C’s apply.
- 20
Established 202118+. T&C Apply
- 21
Established 202318+. T&C's Apply.
- 22
Established 202018+ T&C's Apply
- 23
Established 194618+ New Customers opt in, deposit and bet up to €100 at odds of 2.00 or greater within 7 days of registration. Card payments only. Matched bonus paid in free bets; 7 day expiry. Residents of Ireland only. T&Cs apply. gamblingcare.ie | Please Gamble Responsibly
- 24
Established 201218+. T&C's apply
- 25
Established 202318+ T&C's Apply
- 26
Established 202218+. New Customers only, Min deposit €20. min odds 1.5. T &Cs apply.
- 27
Established 201518+. T&C Apply
- 28
Established 200018+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first €5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x €5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cashout, restrictions + T&Cs apply.
- 29
Established 202118+. T&C Apply
- 30
Established 2017Welcome Bonus Bet - Bet €10 Get €15 terms. This offer is for new sports customers only and is available once per household. Max. Bonus Bet amount €15. Minimum wagering on the sport to activate the Bonus Bet is €10 (which can be achieved from a Min deposit of €10). Offer valid only to customers wagering on sport €10 or more and make a qualifying bet in accordance with the Bonus Bet Specific Terms and Conditions below. 1st Place Prize: €1000. Prizes granted up to 48h after the tournament ends. Bonus Bet does not contribute towards the leaderboard. Click to see full T&Cs
- 31
Established 202218+. T&C Apply
- 32
Established 202318+ Ts&Cs Apply
- 33
Established 2017New Players Only. Free bet - one-time stake of $/€10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: $/€200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms Apply. 18+ #AD
- 34
Established 202218+. T&C Apply
- 35
Established 2008New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. 18+. Play Responsibly www.begambleaware.org.
- 36
Established 202118+. T&C Apply
- 37
Established 202018+. T&C Apply
- 38
Established 200618+. T&C's apply.
- 39
Established 202218+. T&C's apply
- 40
Established 2017New Players Only. Min £/€/$10 qualifying bets, stake not returned. Free bet - one-time stake of £/€/$ 20, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wager the winnings. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £/€/$200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Excluded Skrill deposits. Full Terms apply.
- 41
Established 202119+. New Customers only. Minimum deposit €20 & minimum odds 1.50. T&C's apply.
- 42
Established 201418+ New players only. Opt-in Required. Min stake £/€/$ 10, min odds 1.5, stake not returned. 1X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wager from real balance first. Wager calculated on bonus bets only. Max conversion: £/€/$ 200. Valid for 7 Days from issue. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply.
- 43
Established 2021New Players Only. Minimum stake $/€/£ 10, minimum odds1.5, stake not returned.10X wagering the winnings from the free bet. Wagering occurs from real balance first. Wagering requirement is calculated on bonus bets only, wagering starts from real funds.Free bet is valid for 7 Days from issue. Max conversion: $/€/£ 20. Excluded Skrill deposits. Withdrawal requests voids all active/pending bonuses. Full Terms Apply.
- 44
Established 200518+. T&C's apply.
- 45
Established 2015NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MAX ONE €10 FREE BETS. QUALIFYING BETS MUST BE PLACED AT ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. PAID AS BONUS TOKEN WITH MIN 4/5 ODDS REQ. SKRILL, NETELLER & PAYPAL NOT ELIGIBLE T&CS APPLY. 18+
- 46
Established 2021New users only: register and make a minimum deposit of 20EUR for sports betting. A bet of 2.0 or greater must be placed within the first 14 days of registration. Your bonus will be credited to your gaming account within 7 days if you lose. To withdraw funds, the bonus amount must be wagered as a single bet odds of 2.5 or higher.
- 47
Established 201818+ T&C Apply.
- 48
Established 2022T&C's apply
- 49
Established 200618+ | IE new customers only | Max €50 in free bets | Min bet €10 | Guaranteed €40 in free bets | Additional €10 in free bet if first bet is settled as lost | Bonus Code: FREEBET50 | Min odds 7/10 (1.70) | Free bet stake not returned | Qualifying bet must be made within 7 days | Free bet valid for 7 days | T&C's apply | General Promotions Terms apply
- 50
Established 199918+. Gamble Responsibly. Begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. T&C's apply.
Stay In The Loop With Free Bets, Insider Tips & More!
Live Betting. Sports Promos. Sent Weekly.
