SOME ZIP STATS

The zip system used in the Sportsman offers an alternative handicap assessment of runners. I compared the zip rating to the official weight, looking to see whether it was above, below or the same as. A surprising result but only in a small sample.

Looking at all runners the zip is overwhelmingly below the handicap - 74% of runners. In 15% of runners the zip rated over, and in only 10% of cases zip and handicapper were in agreement.

But among placegetters you get quite different stats:

Placegetters where the zip was above handicap = 33%
Placegetters below = 48%
The same = 18%

So, in the mass of runners you get the (rough) proportions: 70/20/10. In placegetters: 50/30/20.

Conclusion:

Where the zip is below the handicap, it counter-indicates a placegetter. Zip below handicap is more characteristic of all runners than it is of those runners who place. But
where the zip is above or agees with handicap, a pointer to a placegetter.

Not a strong pointer, but a pointer all the same. Keep a look out for horses with zip over or the same as the handicap weight.

A strong trend in a small sample (187 all races), no hurdles.

Another possible path to placegetters???

Hermes