The bookies pay out 1,2,3,4 e/w on handicap races when there are 16 runners. However in a Maiden hurdle they only pay 1,2,3 even when there are around 22 horses. How can this be fair?
A maiden hurdle or any other maiden race is for horses that have never won a race. It is the horses entry level into racing. They only start handicapping horses when there is some form because they have won a race. Handicapping is supposed to give all horses in a race the same chance of winning. It is also annoying when you have placed an e/w bet and your horse comes 4th and it does not count.