Bet Types Explained: What Are Forecast and Tricast Bets?

Horse racing features betting markets that go far beyond just backing individual winners. Forecast and tricast bets challenge you to predict the finishing positions of multiple horses, creating enhanced returns if you do.

With its competitive fields and unpredictable outcomes, the Cheltenham Festival is one event where forecast and tricast bets are a popular choice. Large fields create numerous possible combinations, and getting the exact finishing order correct can pay significantly better than backing a single winner.

Want to know exactly how they work? Here's our guide explaining what forecast and tricast bets are, where you’ll find them and what you need to know before placing one.

What is a forecast bet?

A forecast bet is where you predict which two horses will finish first and second in exact order.

You have to specify which horse you think will win and which will finish second. If both horses finish in those exact positions, your bet wins.

Example: you back Horse A to win and Horse B to finish second in the Champion Hurdle. If the race finishes with Horse A first and Horse B second, your forecast wins. If they finish second and first (reversed), the bet loses. If either horse finishes outside the top two, the bet loses.

Forecast bets settle at Starting Price (SP), meaning the odds are determined by the final market prices when the race begins. Returns reflect the challenge that comes with predicting both positions correctly.

While forecasts are most often found in horse racing, they also appear in greyhound racing and, occasionally, in motorsports, where predicting exact finishing orders is possible.

What is a tricast bet?

It’s the forecast bet concept extended to three horses. You predict which horses finish first, second and third in that exact order. All three must finish in the specified positions for the bet to come in.

Example: you back Horse A to win, Horse B to finish second and Horse C to finish third in the Gold Cup. If the race finishes in that exact order, your tricast wins. If any horse finishes in a different position, the bet loses.

As you’d expect, tricasts are significantly more difficult to get right than forecasts because you're specifying three positions instead of two. That complexity is reflected in the potential returns, which can be substantial if you get them right.

Tricasts work best in races with large fields where multiple horses have realistic chances of finishing in the top three. The Cheltenham Festival is just one example that provides ideal conditions for tricast betting, because its competitive races produce varied finishing orders.

Reverse forecast bets

A reverse forecast covers both possible finishing orders for your two horses. Rather than specifying which horse finishes first and which finishes second, you're backing both horses to fill the top two positions in either order.

How it works: you back Horse A and Horse B in a reverse forecast. If they finish 1st and 2nd in any combination (either A-B or B-A), your bet wins. You're essentially placing two straight forecast bets in one transaction.

Because a reverse forecast is two bets, your stake doubles. So, a £5 reverse forecast would cost £10 total. The benefit is flexibility: you don't need to predict the exact order, just that your two horses fill the top two spots.

Reverse forecasts work when you're confident about two horses finishing in the top two but uncertain about which one of them will win. The increased stake is the price you pay for that flexibility.

Combination forecast bets

A combination forecast lets you pick three or more horses and cover all possible forecast combinations between them. Each pairing of your selections is covered.

Example: you select three horses (A, B and C) in a combination forecast. This creates six individual forecast bets:

• A to win, B second

• A to win, C second

• B to win, A second

• B to win, C second

• C to win, A second

• C to win, B second

If any two of your three horses finish first and second in any order, you win on that specific combination. The more horses you include, the more combinations you cover, and so the greater your total stake becomes.

Combination forecasts can suit situations where you've identified several contenders but can't narrow down which two will finish on top. The trade-off is increased cost for increased coverage.

The pros and cons of forecast and tricast bets

Forecast and tricast bets suit specific situations. Here's what they offer and what they cost. Pros:

• Greater returns than backing single winners

• Add flexibility to races where picking an outright winner may be difficult

• Works well in competitive fields where several horses can finish near the front

Cons:

• Requires precision: one wrong position and the whole bet fails

• Harder to predict than single-winner bets

• Smaller fields reduce the bet’s value because fewer possible combinations exist

Important: forecasts and tricasts suit experienced bettors who follow form closely and understand how races might unfold. They're not entry-level bets because they demand an accurate assessment of multiple horses rather than identifying one winner.

Tips for using forecast and tricast bets

Start with small stakes. Forecast and tricast bets can pay well, but they're difficult to land. Don't risk large amounts chasing big returns. Instead, keep your stakes modest while you learn how these bets behave.

Only bet on the races you know. Don't place forecast or tricast bets on races you haven't researched. These bets require an understanding of form, race conditions and how horses match up against each other. Guessing rarely, if ever, works.

Avoid unfamiliar fields. Sticking to the races and horses you follow regularly gives you better context than betting on unknown quantities. However, the Cheltenham Festival attracts huge fields, so if you don't know the contenders, your forecast can become a lottery.

Consider the field size. Large fields create more combinations, which can increase returns but also increase difficulty. Small fields with clear favourites offer less value. Balance difficulty against potential reward.

Don't chase losses. If your forecasts aren't landing, don't increase your stakes trying to recover losses. These bets are inherently difficult, and even informed selections fail regularly. Accept that they won't always come in.

Use them sparingly. Forecast and tricast bets work better as occasional additions rather than as your primary betting method. Overusing them drains your budget faster than backing single winners because they require more precision.

Track your results. Keep a record of how your forecast and tricast bets perform. If they're consistently losing, reassess whether they suit your approach. Not every bet type works for every bettor.

Where forecast and tricast bets work well

The Cheltenham Festival is prime territory. Competitive fields, top-quality horses and unpredictable outcomes create ideal conditions. Races like the Champion Hurdle, Stayers' Hurdle and Gold Cup feature deep fields where multiple horses can realistically finish in the top few positions.

Avoid using forecasts and tricasts in races with overwhelming favourites. If one horse dominates, the markets reflect that and returns can suffer. These bets suit competitive scenarios where outcomes aren't clear-cut.

What to remember

Forecast bets predict the top two finishers in exact order. Tricast bets extend that to three horses. Reverse forecasts cover both possible orders for two horses. Combination forecasts cover all pairings from a larger selection.

These bets may reward accuracy but demand precision. One wrong position and the bet’s a goner. They suit competitive races with large fields, particularly at meetings like the Cheltenham Festival where quality horses compete in open contests.

As always, keep stakes sensible, and only bet on races you understand and use forecasts and tricasts as occasional additions rather than as a primary method. They can enhance returns if you get them right, but they're tougher to land than backing a single winner.

For more bet type explanations like this – as well as how-to guides and timely event overviews – look no further than the Bally Bet blog. You’ll find coverage for all major sporting events in the calendar alongside the latest from the world of online casino.

All offers mentioned correct at the time of writing but may be subject to change.