We now have the trend...

or pattern, of each dog’s recent runs. This same operation as described above is easily done in Excel spread sheets with a computer; but who takes a laptop racing?

This is not as daft as it sounds, because I know that in the USA there are software programs for dog handicap races and punters do take a laptop there sometimes.

The graph is meant to be re-usable and of a handy size to take with you when you go dog racing on track or at the bookies and I hope you will find it useful. But...

It has to be more than a graph with peaks and troughs if we are to put a dog race ‘under the microscope’…

So starting at the top of the six tiny graphs - using the blank space on the grid - enter under each trap number the relevant dog’s best time*. Just jot it down in numbers like this: e.g. 25.85.

Then plot the dog’s best time* on the graph and draw a tiny - very tiny- straight bar and write BT (best time) above it. Do this with all the dogs so that you can look across all six graphs and can compare the best times and see how far each dog is off its own best time.

Under the trap numbers of the three best times out of all six dogs, draw a circle О for 1st best time, a square □ 2nd best time and a diamond ◊ for 3rd best time. (Instant recognition!)

Next; near to each trap jot down the dog’s age (it’s on the race card near the dog’s name). You want to know if it is a crafty old dog or a young upstart!

Write on the graph ‘youngster’ or ‘really old’- or any other comment that is relevent. It helps you to make up your mind about which dog to bet.

More on the next ‘blog’…

Come racing!!