Everyone wants to pit their wits against The bookies and come out a winner. But finding the horse that's going to take the spoils on Knavesmire is not an easy job. Steve Carroll reveals a few handy hints to help cut down the runners.

FORM

Unless you pick horses because you like the name, or because your mum told you it might do well, it's a safe bet that only form can help you find the winner in that 20-runner handicap at York.

Luckily, help is at hand with the form book. The great thing is, you don't even have to do the work yourself.

Every racecard, or copy of the Racing Post, looks at each race and every runner and rider on a detailed basis.

These handy hints will tell you how your horse has done in its last six races, along with a three or fourparagraph summary of how it has performed in those victories and a tipster's view on how it might run.

If you want a more detailed look, the racing press will break down those last six runs into minute detail - so you can see how your nag ran as its previous races unfolded, as well as the ground it likes to run on (and this can be a crucial detail).

All the information you need is there, the trick is to find the clues and use them.

THE PADDOCK

Can you pick out the equine superstar from the workhorse? If a visit to the Parade Ring leaves you none the wiser, here's a couple of tips to help you cut through the cryptic cypher of the paddock.

Horses are like humans. They have their good and bad days. And, like the living breathing mammals they are, when they are not at their best they may show tell-tale signs.

Many professional punters can make their money by simply looking at the runners in the parade ring before racing gets under way.

Understand what you are looking for and you're well on the way to making a dent in the bookmaker's wallet.

Easiest to spot, and first up, are the horse's ears. They should be alert and pricked up pointing forwards. Anything else and your selection is either angry, breathless or miserable.

Still with the head, a keen horse will hold its noggin up - a low bob means it could be under par.

Take a peek at the eyes, you want to see a horse that's looking bright and is taking an interest in its competition and racegoers.

Next up is the horse's coat. Gloss and shine is good, anything else is bad. The way a horse's coat looks is one of the easiest, but key ways, of observing how your choice looks and feels.

Finally, sweat is an important factor.

Like us, horses will sweat whether they are fit or not, but a foam appearance on the back legs is not a good sign.

A build up of sweat is a classic sign of nerves and overexertion. And a nervous and exhausted thoroughbred simply won't perform when it comes out of the stalls.

TRENDS

Probably the most underrated factor when looking for winners, trends can play a vital role in determining just which horse can hit the finishing line first.

Trends revolve around history - they look at what's happened in a specific race in the past - and those Sherlock Holmes-like punters that study up can find the clues to help them fill their boots.

You might not believe it, but although different horses may win there are certain characteristics in many of those wins that can help eagle-eyed punters narrow down the field.

Weight of previous winners, their age, whether they've won their last outings before the big race, the effect of the draw and the ground can all come into play to help diligent betters cut the wheat from the chaff.

THE MARKET

Face it, there are people out there who know more than you.

It's those people who help to drive prices in the betting ring - and looking closely at how the price of a horse moves can give you a crucial indication as to what might pass the winning post first.

Say you've studied the form, you've picked out your choice and you wander over to place your bet.

But in the time it's taken you to get from the stands to the betting ring, the price of your horse has drifted from 7/1 to 9/1, but the odds on another horse have come in from 6/1 to 4/1.

This tells you that the market' or your fellow punters don't believe your first selection is going to win, but that this other selection may have a better chance.

There are no guarantees to following the market, but bookies cut their prices because people put their money down - and the more money that's handed over the more confidence you can have that your vital funds will only be in the bookie's hands on a temporary basis.