BetTurtle Blog

As the British Flat racing season commences, certain trainers have historically demonstrated strong performance during April, both in terms of winners and profitability.

Below is an overview of these trainers, focusing on their overall wins, course-specific successes, and performance across different race types. The analysis is based on data from the 2022-2024 flat racing seasons.

Overall Wins and Profitability in April

Several trainers have achieved decent success in terms of the number of winners and strike rates during the April races over the past three seasons. However, if you had invested in all of their runners during that period, only five trainers would have offered a positive return on investment (ROI).

Charlie Appleby, with an impressive 35% strike rate and a 8% return on investment (ROI), deserves close attention during April. In comparison, trainer Charles Hills achieved a respectable 21% strike rate and a commendable 36% ROI over the same period.

Course Specific Successes

Several trainers target specific courses and meetings annually. As illustrated in the table below, concentrating on trainers at particular courses can yield high strike rates and substantial returns on investment (ROI).

Race Type Specialisation

Trainers often specialise in certain race types, such as Graded, Handicap and Maiden races.

Charlie Appleby stands out as the most successful trainer in early-season graded races, boasting a remarkable 39% strike rate and an impressive 15% return on investment (ROI).

In handicap races, Ben Haslam also makes a significant impact, achieving an impressive 25% strike rate and 300% ROI. Notably, most of his winners have historically performed exceptionally well at Pontefract during this month.

Other notable trainers include John O’Shea, who has demonstrated success at Doncaster, securing three wins from four runners with a 33% strike rate in handicaps and a healthy 35% ROI. Additionally, Gary Moore has made a name for himself at Windsor, achieving three wins from eight runners with a 333% ROI. Furthermore, he has a 23% strike rate and a very decent 65% ROI in handicap races.

Karl Burke is another trainer worth mentioning, as he has shown excellent results at Musselburgh, Windsor, and Pontefract. In races that BetTurtle categorises as “Other,” he has an impressive 13 wins, operating at a 33% strike rate and a 36% ROI during the month.

Conclusion

Identifying trainers with a proven track record in April can significantly enhance betting strategies. Trainers such as Charlie Appleby, Karl Burke, and Charlie Hills have consistently demonstrated overall success and profitability during this month. Moreover, course-specific strategies and race-type specialisations offered by trainers like Ben Haslam, John O’Shea, Gary Moore, William Haggas, Richard Fahey, and David O’Meara provide targeted opportunities for bettors seeking advantageous angles in early-season Flat racing.