Most websites and experienced owners will tell you that you should buy an old horse who has competed with the best to assist you in gauging time trials – personally, I don’t think it makes much difference., it doesn’t do any harm but if your on a tight budget then buy a horse you can have fun training and racing throughout its career.

Quite often though a good 7 yr old will be placed in a claimer with the owner looking to cash in a little before it retires - this is a perfect opportunity to pick up what was once a challenge horse on the cheap plus race for a small profit whilst learning a little more.

With the introduction of ratings this has helped out a little with picking up cheap claimers as an A rated horse for £7.65 with no wins is almost certainly worth it (there are exceptions!). This doesn’t mean don’t buy a B rated horse..only that A rated are worth keeping an eye out for.

A horse that is beating the jockey & doing well in claimer races that has no wins is perfect for running in small field EB races.

I always feel that selling in claimer is bad value for money, firstly selling for £7.35 actually means you receive £6.25. Any horse capable of running well in claimers is more than capable of picking up a couple of small field eb races and thus making more than the £6.25. Best to run and retire.

Remember - the advice here is my thoughts only - i'm sure many other trainers think i'm talking crap.