Predicted Running Styles is a racecard pace map that forecasts how a race will unfold before the runners leave the stalls. The feature assigns each horse one of six running styles: Front Runner, Prominent, Stalker, Mid-Division, Closer or Held Up. These predictions are built from where each horse has actually raced across its last ten runs with sectional data.
The model does not simply average a horse's historical positions. Recent runs carry more weight than older ones, and the prediction incorporates each horse's Gate Speed Score — a zero-to-one-hundred measure of how fast it breaks from the stalls, calculated from the time taken to reach ten miles per hour over its last five tracked runs. Horses with fast gate speeds lead early roughly twice as often as those with slow gates.
How to read the Predicted Running Styles table
The table displays the predicted running style, the Gate Speed Score (shown in red for the quickest starters), the number of runs used in the calculation, and the horse's average Early and Late position. Where Late position is lower than Early position, the horse tends to finish races with ground still to make.
A caution flag appears when fewer than three runs of data inform the prediction, indicating lower confidence in the forecast.
Using the pace map to read the race
Multiple Front Runners in a race typically produce a fast, collapsing pace that favours closers. Races with no Front Runners tend to develop at a slower tempo, benefiting those who race prominently. A single leader facing no pressure often proves difficult to pass.
The Predicted Running Styles panel is available on RaceMetrics racecards. The feature was illustrated on the Royal Hunt Cup card.
