Thanks TS it has certainly been an interesting journey.

I really think i'm 90% there now in terms of the ratings approach i've put together. I seriously believe i'm on the right path now, utilized a database to allow me to attack the stats of it all, and then used my recording of 400 races so far to enhance/adjust a little further. I certainly feel the underlay/overlay approach has merit and can be profitable over the long term.

That extra 10% will come from further tweaks and adjustments that may one day hopefully mean I have something I can bet day in day out proftably with minimal risk, that is the ultimate goal.

Since i've got that side of things nearing completion its time for me to use the 400+ races of data so far to look at my settling/speed/pace side of things. Due to the calculations invovled on this side of things I can't easily backtest so i've had to forward record the race data.

Everything i've discussed on here in terms of speed/pace/settling has been theory based on racing newsletters I read from a US website that were extremely in depth and very informative. What I want to do now is put those theory's to the best and see if there is any way at all i can either:

a) incorporate it into my ratings or;
b) use the figures to automate as best a speed map as I can put together to enhance my betting approach.

or obviously both of the above.

There's no doubt in my mind i'm getting closer, its just a matter of forward testing and then finding a way to automate it in an effective risk/reward manner.