3 - Race Lengths
In this section, I mention the general greyhound racing distances used in the United Kingdom and explain how different race prefixes are shown in the formlines to identify each particular race length. A link to British greyhound track lengths is also supplied.
Greyhound Race Distances
Greyhound Predictor Software lets you predict races run over 3 race lengths. These include:- 515 metres = 563 yards, 500 metres = 547 yards and 480 metres = 525 yards. When choosing a race to predict, try selecting a race run exactly over or very close to any of these race distances to obtain the best and most accurate predictions!
As previously mentioned you may select all greyhound race lengths to be displayed in metres or yards by selecting Options from the Main Menu. Alternatively, you can pre-set your own distance measurements by finding the Configuration Utility on your computer: (Start - Programs - Greyhound Predictor v2.0 - Configuration) this allows all distances to be shown in either metres or yards, as the default mode of your choice, each time you start up Greyhound Predictor, only then will these race settings be saved for you!
There are basically, four greyhound distance categories. In the U.K. a raceform prefix (abbreviated letter) is always shown in the formlines before the 'race grade' to represent the length of race, for instance: D = sprint races (2 bend racing), A = middle distance races (4 bends), S = stayers races (6 bends) and E = marathon or extended races (8 bends or more). Please note: These 'race prefixes' do vary from track to track.
In England and Ireland by far the most common distance used for greyhound racing is 480 metres or 525 yards. The English Derby, Oaks and Scottish Derby are all run over this distance. There are also 'classics' for sprinters such as the Scurry Gold Cup first run at Clapton in 1928 over 400 yards untill the track closed and was transferred in 1974 to Slough over 434m/475y and later in 1987 to Catford over 385m. In 2003/4 the race was not run untill it was re-instated in 2005 at Perry Barr over 275 metres and is today run at Belle Vue (Manchester) over 260 metres. In Ireland the premier sprint is the Irish National Sprint run at Newbridge over 325 yards.
The longest classic race in England is the Cesarewitch, first held in 1928 at West Ham and originally run over 600 yards untill in 1972 the event was transferred to Belle Vue over 880 yards and was the first time a classic race had ever been staged in the north of England. Since 2001 this race has been staged at Oxford over 645 metres. The longest classic run in Ireland is the Irish Cesarewitch run at Mullingar over 805 yards.
Greyhound races occasionally take place over a sprint, stayers or marathon distance, where the positioning of the starting traps provides the greyhounds with only a short run to the first corner. These races frequently result in 1st bend trouble occurring, due to the distinct 'lack of racing room' afforded the runners and therefore these particular race lengths will always perhaps be considered a little more difficult to predict!
Now check your daily racing newspaper.
The greyhound form statistic that informs you the length of a race? is usually found in the top right corner of each race heading.
Now select one of the 3 race lengths you wish to predict and enter the distance of race!
You have now completed all the 'race set up' questions. The 'Predictor' will ask you to answer a further set of 7 dog racing questions, by once again, studying the formlines in your newspaper for each selected runner, starting with trap one. Please select your answer as before, by highlighting any of the multiple choice answers supplied and press Spacebar to enter. Please note: certain greyhound data questions (ages, weights, racetimes and race lengths) may require you to input numerical answers into the GP Stat Screen. To do this simply use the number digits situated at the top or right hand side of your computer keyboard.
Please also see British Greyhound Track Lengths.
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