Wanted Desire. Image: Western Racepix.
Punting Form race reports are a data-driven approach to understanding the relative strengths of each runner in an upcoming race. Using benchmark ratings, the reports feature the most recent performances of each competitor and their respective personal bests within the last two years, as well as a speed map indicating likely settle positions and computer-generated price assessments.
Benchmarking is the process of converting times into standardised figures that account for prevailing race conditions to provide a means of understanding the relative performance of any past run. The figures are expressed in lengths and the smaller (or more negative) the figure, the better (faster) the performance.
Speed map positions are based on the average historical settle position for each runner as a percentage of field size, while prices are derived from the Punting Form neural ratings, which take into account a range of 20 statistical factors.
According to the Punting Form race reports for Saturday's meeting at Ascot Racecourse, Wanted Desire will be a runner to watch if the hat-trick-seeking mare takes her place in the Magic Millions Handicap over 1,500 metres. Wanted Desire posted a new personal best in winning over course and distance last time out and her performance was the highest rating effort of the Wednesday 21 February meeting. Follow a mare in form is one of thoroughbred racing's maxims and Wanted Desire is worthy of interest if she makes her Saturday debut.
You can download the Punting Form race reports for all eight Ascot Racecourse races on Saturday and they will appear in the club's racebook as well.