Course and distance form tells you whether a horse has already proved that it can win at today’s racecourse, over today’s distance or over the exact combination of both.

On British horse racing racecards, this information is normally shown beside a horse’s name:

C: Course winner.
D: Distance winner.
CD: Course and distance winner.

These abbreviations provide useful information quickly. A course winner has already handled the characteristics of the track. A distance winner has shown that it can win over today’s trip. A course and distance winner has done both at the same time.

That explains the old racing expression “horses for courses”, but a CD symbol should never be treated as an automatic reason to back a horse.

The value of previous course and distance form depends on the performances behind the abbreviation. Recency, race class, going, handicap mark, pace, draw and current form can all change how relevant an old C&D victory is today.

What Does C Mean in Horse Racing?

C means that the horse is a previous winner at today’s racecourse.

It does not necessarily mean that the horse won over today’s distance.

Imagine a horse racing over a mile at York with a C beside its name. Its previous York victory could have come over seven furlongs, a mile, 10 furlongs or another distance.

The C tells you that the horse has successfully handled the course before. You then need to investigate the performance itself.

That can be particularly useful at racecourses with distinctive characteristics.

What Does D Mean in Horse Racing?

D means that the horse has previously won over today’s race distance.

The victory does not need to have been achieved at today’s racecourse.

A horse running over one mile at Newmarket could carry a D after winning over a mile at another venue.

That establishes that the horse has been capable of winning over the trip, but the underlying distance record matters much more than the letter itself.

A horse with one win from 15 starts over a mile and a horse with five wins from eight starts over a mile can both display D.

Their records tell very different stories.

What Does CD Mean in Horse Racing?

CD means that the horse has previously won at today’s racecourse over today’s distance.

This provides more specific evidence than C or D alone because the horse has already succeeded under the same basic course-and-distance combination.

It removes two questions:

Course Suitability: The horse has already demonstrated that it can win at the track.
Distance Suitability: The horse has already demonstrated that it can win over the trip.

It does not remove questions about today’s handicap mark, class, going, draw, pace, opposition or current form.

Anyone unfamiliar with these and other racecard abbreviations can use our guide to reading a horse racing racecard.

Can a Horse Have C and D Without Being a CD Winner?

Yes.

This is an important distinction.

A horse might have won at today’s racecourse over six furlongs and separately won over today’s seven-furlong distance at another track.

It has demonstrated course form and distance form, but it has never won over today’s exact course-and-distance combination.

Depending on how a racecard presents the information, you may therefore see separate course and distance indicators rather than a single CD marker.

Why Does Course Form Matter?

British racecourses vary considerably.

A previous victory at one track does not prove that a horse will handle every other venue equally well.

Course characteristics can include:

Direction: British racecourses can be left-handed, right-handed or contain straight sections.
Turns: Some tracks have tight bends that place greater emphasis on balance and position.
Gradients: Uphill and downhill sections can alter the physical demands of a race.
Cambers: Sloping ground can test a horse’s balance.
Finishing Straights: A short straight can create different tactical demands from a long galloping finish.
Surface: Turf and all-weather tracks provide different racing conditions.
Jumping Layout: National Hunt tracks differ in the positioning and nature of their fences and hurdles.

Our complete guide to British racecourses explains how these characteristics differ around Britain.

Previous course success provides evidence that a horse can cope with the specific demands of a venue.

Course Form at Chester

Chester is an obvious example of a racecourse where previous experience can be useful.

Its tight, left-handed configuration places considerable emphasis on balance and tactical position.

Draw can also become important at particular distances.

A horse that has repeatedly performed well at Chester has provided evidence that its racing style and physical characteristics suit the course.

That does not mean an inexperienced Chester runner cannot beat it. It simply means the established course performer has answered a question that the newcomer has not.

Our Chester Racecourse guide explains the track in more detail.

Course Form at Epsom

Epsom presents a very different challenge.

Gradients, turns, cambers and downhill sections make it one of Britain’s most distinctive Flat tracks.

Tattenham Corner and the cambered finishing straight can test balance as well as ability.

Previous Epsom form can therefore provide useful evidence that a horse handles the course.

The significance still depends on the race. A previous success in one type of contest should not be treated as proof that the horse will automatically reproduce the performance under different conditions.

Our Epsom Racecourse guide provides more information on the track.

Course Form at Beverley

Beverley has its own gradients, bends and draw considerations.

Previous course experience can be useful when assessing runners in competitive handicaps, particularly when a horse has repeatedly shown that the configuration suits its running style.

One previous success is evidence.

Several strong performances provide a more convincing course profile.

Our Beverley Racecourse guide covers the track’s characteristics in greater detail.

Course Form at Newmarket

Newmarket illustrates why “course form” is not one universal factor.

Its Rowley Mile and July Course provide different tests, while both differ substantially from a tight-turning venue such as Chester.

A horse can be particularly effective on a galloping course without showing the same level of form around a sharper track.

Our Newmarket Racecourse guide explains the two courses and their major races.

The important question is not simply whether a horse has won at a course before. Ask what characteristics of the course appeared to suit it.

Does Course Form Matter More at Some Racecourses?

Yes.

Course form can deserve greater attention where the venue presents unusual or demanding characteristics.

These can include:

Sharp Turns: Previous experience can show that a horse has the balance and tactical speed required.
Pronounced Cambers: Some horses cope better with sloping ground than others.
Severe Undulations: Changes in elevation can affect rhythm and stamina.
Unusual Jumping Layouts: National Hunt tracks can place different demands on jumping technique.
Short Finishing Straights: Position can become particularly important.
Strong Draw Effects: Certain course-and-distance combinations can make stall position more influential.

At a relatively straightforward galloping course, lack of previous course experience may create less uncertainty.

This is why a C symbol should be interpreted according to the venue rather than given the same importance everywhere.

What Is Distance Form?

Distance form describes a horse’s previous performances over a particular trip.

The D symbol confirms that the horse has won over today’s distance.

The full record is more informative.

Consider two hypothetical horses running over one mile.

Horse A has raced five times over a mile and recorded two wins, two seconds and a third.

Horse B has raced ten times over a mile and recorded one win and nine unplaced finishes.

Both qualify as distance winners.

Horse A has provided much stronger evidence that a mile consistently suits.

When examining distance form, ask:

Number Of Runs: How much evidence is available?
Wins: How often has the horse actually succeeded over the trip?
Placed Runs: Has it repeatedly performed well without winning?
Recency: Did its strongest distance form occur recently?
Class: At what level were those performances achieved?
Going: Under what conditions did the horse produce its best runs?
Pace: Did the races develop in a way that suited the horse?
Performance Level: Has the horse produced its highest-quality form over this distance?

The D symbol should start the investigation rather than finish it.

Is CD Better Than C or D?

CD provides more specific evidence because the horse has already won over the exact course-and-distance combination it faces today.

That does not automatically make a CD horse a stronger selection than a runner displaying only C, D or neither.

Imagine Horse A is a previous C&D winner. It achieved that victory three years ago from an official rating of 70 and now races from 83.

Horse B has never visited the course but arrives after two strong victories from ratings of 78 and 82.

Horse A has the CD symbol.

Horse B could still have the stronger chance today.

The historical C&D victory confirms that Horse A can handle the setup. It does not prove that the horse remains well handicapped or in better form than today’s rivals.

Recent C&D Form Versus Old C&D Form

Recency matters.

A horse returning after winning over today’s course and distance 14 days ago provides highly current evidence.

A horse whose only C&D victory occurred four years ago presents a different analytical problem.

Ask what has changed since the old performance.

The horse may now be:

Older: Physical ability can improve or decline with age.
Higher Rated: A much higher handicap mark can make winning considerably harder.
Lower Rated: A reduced mark may make an established course specialist interesting again.
With A Different Trainer: Training methods and racing programmes can change.
Returning From Injury: Old form may not represent current ability.
Competing In Another Class: Today’s opposition may be substantially stronger or weaker.
Showing Different Form: Recent performances may suggest that the horse is no longer capable of reproducing its old level.

Historic C&D form still has value, particularly with established course specialists, but its relevance depends on the horse’s current circumstances.

Multiple C&D Wins Are More Informative

One C&D victory can result from favourable circumstances.

Repeated success provides stronger evidence that the setup genuinely suits the horse.

Imagine Horse A has one C&D win from one run.

Horse B has five C&D wins from nine runs.

Both display CD on the racecard.

Horse B has provided much more evidence of repeatable suitability.

This does not automatically make Horse B today’s better bet. Its handicap mark or current form may now be against it.

The important point is that the same racecard abbreviation can represent very different amounts of evidence.

Look at the Full Course Record

The complete course record gives context that a C or CD symbol cannot.

Compare:

Horse A: Six course runs, three wins and two seconds.

with:

Horse B: Fourteen course runs, one win and thirteen unplaced finishes.

Both horses are course winners.

Horse A has demonstrated much more consistent suitability.

Strike rate can help quantify records like these, although percentages should still be interpreted alongside sample size and race quality.

Look at the Full Distance Record

Apply the same principle to distance form.

Do not stop at “has won over the trip”.

Check:

Runs: How often has the horse competed over today’s distance?
Wins: How many times has it succeeded?
Places: How consistently has it performed well?
Recent Evidence: Are the strongest runs still relevant?
Race Quality: At what level did those performances occur?
Ground Conditions: Did the horse require a particular going description?
Race Shape: Did a particular pace setup help produce the result?

A single D tells you much less than the complete distance profile.

Course and Distance Form and Handicap Ratings

Handicap marks are one of the most important considerations when assessing previous C&D winners.

Imagine a horse previously won over today’s course and distance from OR 72.

It subsequently improved and now races from OR 86.

The previous victory remains useful evidence of course-and-distance suitability, but the horse must now compete from a 14lb higher mark.

Reverse the situation.

A horse won over today’s course and distance from OR 82 and now races from OR 76.

That can become much more interesting if its recent performances suggest that enough ability remains.

Our guide to how racehorse handicap ratings work explains how official ratings affect handicap weights.

The question is not simply: Has this horse won here before?

Ask: What mark did it win from, and how does that compare with today’s mark?

When a C&D Winner Becomes Well Handicapped

Established course specialists can become particularly interesting when their handicap ratings fall.

Suppose a horse has previously won over today’s course and distance from:

OR 80: Previous C&D victory.
OR 78: Another C&D victory.
OR 76: Third C&D victory.

After a spell of poor form, the horse returns to the same course and distance from OR 70.

That does not guarantee a revival.

It does establish two useful facts.

The horse has repeatedly demonstrated that the setup suits, and it has previously been capable of winning from higher marks.

You must then decide whether its recent form suggests that it retains enough ability to exploit the lower rating.

Course and Distance Form and Race Class

Not all C&D victories have equal value.

A horse that won a Class 6 handicap over today’s course and distance has demonstrated suitability for the track and trip.

It has not proved that it can reproduce that success against Class 2 opposition.

Compare the class of previous C&D performances with today’s race.

A rise in class can require considerable improvement.

A drop in class can make old course form more relevant if the horse is returning to a level at which it has previously been competitive.

Our guide to horse racing classes explains how the British class structure works and why the level of opposition matters.

Course and Distance Form and the Going

The same course and distance can provide a very different test when the ground changes.

A horse could have won three times over a particular C&D on good or faster ground but repeatedly struggled there on soft going.

The CD symbol does not show that distinction.

Check the conditions under which the previous performances occurred.

Ask:

Previous Going: What was the official going for the horse’s strongest C&D runs?
Today’s Going: Are conditions comparable?
Performance Pattern: Does the horse have a clear preference for faster or softer ground?
Distance Effect: Will testing ground make today’s trip more demanding?

Our horse racing going guide explains how different ground conditions can affect performance.

Flat Versus Jump Course Form

Course form matters in both Flat and National Hunt racing, but the reasons can differ.

On the Flat, important considerations include:

Bends: Tight turns can favour horses that balance and position themselves efficiently.
Draw: Stall position can affect the route a horse takes and the racing position it can obtain.
Pace: Course configuration can reward particular tactical setups.
Gradients: Uphill and downhill sections can suit different types of horse.
Finishing Straight: Short and long straights create different tactical demands.

In National Hunt racing, also consider:

Fence Layout: The positioning of obstacles can affect jumping rhythm.
Hurdle Layout: Some tracks provide a different sequence and spacing of hurdles.
Direction: Some horses appear more comfortable going left-handed or right-handed.
Jumping Rhythm: Certain courses allow horses to establish a better rhythm than others.
Gradients: Jumping while climbing or descending can present additional challenges.
Stamina: Course configuration can make the advertised distance more or less demanding.

A jumper that repeatedly performs well at a particular track may have demonstrated a genuine affinity with its layout.

Course Form and the Draw

A previous C&D win can become less relevant if today’s draw creates a very different tactical problem.

Suppose a horse won a seven-furlong handicap from a favourable inside stall.

It returns over the same course and distance but starts much wider in a larger field.

At courses and distances where stall position matters, the new draw can affect:

Early Position: The horse may find it harder to adopt its preferred racing position.
Ground Covered: A wide route around a bend can cost additional distance.
Cover: The horse may struggle to settle behind rivals.
Tactical Options: Its jockey may need to use energy early or drop farther back.

Our detailed horse racing draw guide explains why draw effects change according to course, distance, pace, field size and conditions.

Course Form and Pace

Pace can change the relevance of a previous C&D performance.

Imagine a hold-up horse won over today’s course and distance after a strong early gallop caused the leaders to weaken.

Today’s race contains very little obvious pace.

The horse faces the same course and distance but a potentially very different race.

The opposite can apply to front-runners.

A horse that has previously controlled races at a course can become interesting when the field again appears to contain little competition for the lead.

Our horse racing pace maps guide explains how to anticipate the likely shape of a race.

Course Form and Pace Bias

Some course-and-distance combinations can suit particular running styles.

That does not mean a permanent bias exists, but course configuration can influence how races develop.

For example:

Prominent Racers: A short finishing straight can make a strong early position useful.
Agile Horses: Tight bends may suit runners that travel efficiently around turns.
Strong Finishers: A stiff uphill finish can reward horses capable of sustaining their effort.
Front-Runners: Some tactical races allow an uncontested leader to conserve energy.
Hold-Up Horses: A strong pace and long straight can provide an effective setup for runners coming from behind.

Our horse racing pace bias guide looks at these relationships in greater detail.

Course Form and Track Bias

Track bias can make an old C&D result less comparable with today’s race.

A previous winner may have raced on the quickest part of the course, while rivals competed on slower ground.

At another meeting, the favourable strip could be elsewhere.

Weather, drainage, wear and rail movements can all affect which part of a racing surface performs best.

Our horse racing track bias page explains why the part of the track a horse uses can be as important as its starting position.

Course Form and Sectional Times

A previous C&D victory becomes more informative when you understand how it was achieved.

Horse racing sectional times can reveal whether a horse went quickly early, conserved energy, controlled the pace or produced a particularly strong finish.

Two horses can both possess C&D wins while having produced completely different performance profiles.

One may have dictated an easy lead before sprinting clear.

Another may have overcome an inefficient pace setup and still won.

The same CD symbol hides those differences.

Course Form and Winning Distances

The size of previous victories can provide further context.

A horse that has won three C&D races by a nose, a head and a neck has established repeatable suitability, but the margins show that those contests were competitive.

Another horse may have recorded a wide-margin success.

Neither record should be interpreted from the winning distance alone.

Race strength, pace, going and how much effort the horse appeared to expend all matter.

Our guide to winning distances in horse racing explains how finishing margins should be used when analysing form.

Course and Distance Form Lines

The horses beaten in previous C&D races can help establish the quality of those performances.

Suppose a horse won a modest-looking handicap over today’s course and distance.

If several runners from that race subsequently win from higher ratings, the original performance can look stronger.

The reverse also applies.

A visually impressive C&D win can lose some of its appeal if the horses behind repeatedly perform poorly afterwards.

Our guide to horse racing form lines explains how subsequent performances can strengthen or weaken an earlier piece of form.

Does a Horse Remember a Racecourse?

There is no need to assume that a horse consciously remembers a racecourse in the same way a person remembers a location.

“Horses for courses” is more useful as shorthand for demonstrated suitability.

A horse’s balance, stride, running style, jumping technique, stamina and temperament can make certain track configurations more suitable than others.

Repeated good performances at the same venue provide evidence of that suitability regardless of how we describe the underlying reason.

When C&D Form Becomes Particularly Interesting

Course-and-distance form becomes more persuasive when several pieces of evidence support it.

A stronger C&D profile can include:

Multiple Previous C&D Wins: Repeated success reduces the chance that one victory resulted from favourable circumstances alone.
Recent Form: The horse is still showing that it retains its ability.
Competitive Handicap Mark: Today’s rating compares favourably with marks from previous victories.
Suitable Going: Conditions match those under which the horse has produced its strongest form.
Suitable Draw: Stall position does not create a major new tactical problem.
Suitable Pace: The likely race shape fits the horse’s running style.
Appropriate Class: Today’s opposition is comparable with or weaker than the level at which the horse has succeeded.
Positive Wider Evidence: Trainer form, jockey booking and other relevant factors support the case.

Now the CD symbol forms part of a wider argument.

That is much stronger than backing a horse simply because two letters appear beside its name.

Worked Example: A Strong Course and Distance Profile

Imagine a ten-runner handicap over one mile.

Horse Alpha displays CD.

Its profile shows:

Course Record: Three wins from six starts.
Distance Record: Three wins from eight starts over one mile.
Previous Winning Mark: Last C&D victory from OR 82.
Today’s Mark: OR 78.
Recent Form: A good third on its latest start.
Going: Previous strong form on good ground, which matches today’s conditions.
Draw: A stall that should allow the horse to obtain its preferred position.
Pace: A likely strong gallop that suits its established running style.

This is meaningful C&D evidence.

The horse likes the course, stays the distance, has previously won from a higher handicap mark and arrives with current form under suitable conditions.

The CD is supported by the wider profile.

Worked Example: A Weak Course and Distance Profile

Now consider Horse Bravo.

It also displays CD.

Its profile shows:

Course Record: One C&D victory from 12 course starts.
Recency: The victory occurred four years ago.
Previous Winning Mark: OR 65.
Today’s Mark: OR 74.
Current Form: Four consecutive poor performances.
Previous Going: The C&D victory came on soft ground.
Today’s Going: Good to firm.

Horse Alpha and Horse Bravo carry the same CD symbol.

The evidence behind the symbols is completely different.

This is why the abbreviation should never replace analysis.

How to Analyse a C&D Winner Properly

Use a consistent process rather than treating previous C&D success as a standalone positive.

Find The Previous C&D Runs: Identify the actual races behind the racecard abbreviation.
Count The Wins And Strong Runs: Repeated success provides stronger evidence than one isolated victory.
Compare Handicap Marks: Establish the ratings from which the horse previously succeeded and compare them with today’s mark.
Compare Race Class: Decide whether today’s opposition is stronger or weaker.
Compare Going: Check whether previous C&D performances occurred under similar conditions.
Assess The Draw: Determine whether today’s stall creates a different tactical challenge.
Map The Pace: Decide whether today’s expected race shape suits the horse.
Check Current Form: Establish whether the horse still appears capable of reproducing its historical level.
Assess The Price: Decide whether the available odds compensate for the horse’s actual chance.

This is the same principle used throughout our guide to analysing a horse race like a professional. No single factor should be allowed to dominate the assessment without context.

C&D Winners and Value

A strong C&D profile can improve a horse’s chance without making it a good bet.

Price remains important.

Suppose you estimate that a previous C&D winner has a 25% chance of winning.

That corresponds to fair decimal odds of 4.00.

If the market offers 6.00, your assessment suggests the available odds exceed your estimate of fair value.

If the market offers 2.50, the horse has exactly the same C&D record but a very different betting proposition.

The evidence has not changed.

The price has.

Our betting odds guide explains the relationship between odds and implied probability.

Compare Prices on Course and Distance Winners

If your analysis identifies a course specialist at an attractive price, comparing bookmakers can matter.

The horse’s chance of winning does not change according to which bookmaker you use, but the odds and racing features available can differ.

Our horse racing betting sites comparison covers bookmakers specifically from a racing perspective, while readers betting primarily from a phone can compare horse racing betting apps separately.

The commercial decision should come after the race analysis, not before it.

Course and Distance Winners Checklist

Before giving significant weight to C, D or CD form, check the complete profile.

Course: Has the horse won here, how many times has it raced here and how strong is its complete course record?
Distance: Has it won over today’s trip, and does its wider record suggest this is an optimum distance?
Course And Distance: How many C&D wins has it recorded, and how recent and relevant were those performances?
Handicap Mark: What ratings did it previously win from, and how does today’s mark compare?
Class: Is today’s race stronger or weaker than the races in which the horse produced its best C&D form?
Going: Are today’s conditions comparable with those associated with its strongest performances?
Draw: Does today’s stall position help or hinder the horse?
Pace: Is the expected race shape suitable for its running style?
Current Form: Is the horse still performing at a level that makes its historical course form relevant?
Price: Does the market offer acceptable value for the chance you believe the horse has?

This turns three small racecard letters into a meaningful part of race analysis.

Common Course and Distance Mistakes

Several mistakes repeatedly lead to C&D form being given too much or too little importance.

Backing Every CD Horse: Previous C&D success is evidence, not a betting system.
Ignoring The Handicap Mark: A horse can love a course and still be too high in the weights.
Ignoring Recency: A victory from several years ago may say more about historical suitability than current ability.
Ignoring Race Class: Winning a weak race does not prove that a horse can reproduce the performance against much stronger opposition.
Ignoring Going: The same course and distance can provide a substantially different test on different ground.
Ignoring Draw: Stall position can change the tactical challenge in Flat racing.
Ignoring Pace: A previous winning race shape may not be repeated.
Ignoring The Full Record: One win from 15 attempts provides different evidence from five wins from eight.
Treating Every CD Symbol Equally: The abbreviation tells you that a win occurred, not how strong or relevant it was.
Confusing C And D With CD: Separate course and distance wins do not necessarily mean the horse has won over today’s exact combination.
Ignoring Price: A horse can have an excellent C&D profile and still be too short in the market.

Course and Distance Form FAQs

What does C mean in horse racing?

C means the horse has previously won at today’s racecourse. The victory does not necessarily need to have been over today’s distance.

What does D mean in horse racing?

D means the horse has previously won over today’s race distance. The win can have occurred at another racecourse.

What does CD mean in horse racing?

CD means the horse has previously won at today’s racecourse over today’s race distance.

What is a course winner?

A course winner is a horse that has previously won at the racecourse staging today’s race.

What is a distance winner?

A distance winner is a horse that has previously won over the same distance as today’s race.

What is a course and distance winner?

A course and distance winner has previously won at today’s course over today’s distance.

What does “horses for courses” mean?

“Horses for courses” describes the tendency of some horses to perform particularly well at certain racecourses. Track configuration, gradients, bends, surface, pace and other characteristics can make a venue particularly suitable for an individual horse.

How important is course form?

Its importance varies. Previous course form can be especially useful at distinctive or demanding tracks, but current form, handicap mark, class and conditions still matter.

How important is distance form?

Distance form confirms that a horse has previously been capable of winning over today’s trip. The number, quality and recency of those performances determine how much weight the evidence deserves.

Does a CD winner have a better chance of winning?

Previous C&D success can be positive evidence, but it does not automatically make the horse more likely to win than every rival. Current rating, form, opposition, going, draw and pace all need to be considered.

Should I always back C&D winners?

No. Blindly backing C&D winners ignores the quality of the underlying form and the price available.

Are multiple C&D wins important?

Repeated C&D wins provide stronger evidence of suitability than one isolated success, particularly when the performances occurred under different race circumstances.

Does an old C&D win still matter?

It can. An old victory still provides evidence that the horse handled the course and distance at that point in its career. Its relevance to today’s race depends on subsequent changes in ability, rating, age and form.

Can a horse have C and D but not CD?

Yes. A horse may have won at today’s course over another distance and won over today’s distance at another racecourse without winning the exact course-and-distance combination.

Where can I find today’s C&D winners?

The live C&D information on this page highlights declared runners that have previously won over today’s course and distance. You can then use today’s racecards to examine the wider race conditions and form.

Summary

Course and distance form provides a quick way to identify horses that have already demonstrated some degree of suitability for today’s racing conditions.

The racecard abbreviations are straightforward:

C: Previous course winner.
D: Previous distance winner.
CD: Previous winner over today’s course and distance.

The letters themselves are only the starting point.

A useful assessment considers the number and recency of previous wins, the horse’s handicap mark, race class, going, draw, expected pace, current form and market price.

Previous course success can be particularly informative at distinctive tracks where gradients, bends, cambers or course configuration present unusual challenges.

Distance form confirms that the horse has already demonstrated the ability to win over today’s trip.

A genuine course-and-distance specialist combines both.

The strongest C&D cases occur when historical suitability is supported by current evidence. A horse returning to its preferred track and trip from a competitive handicap mark, under suitable conditions and in good form provides a much stronger profile than a horse relying on one old C&D success.

Use C, D and CD as evidence rather than conclusions.

Start with the racecard symbols, examine the performances behind them, then combine course and distance form with form analysis, handicap ratings, going, draw, pace and price to judge what those old results mean for today’s race.

Course and Distance Form in Horse Racing: How Important Are C, D and CD Winners?