Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) is one of the most valuable features a racing punter can use. If the starting price (SP) on race day beats the price you took, you are paid at the SP. This guide compares which GRAI-licensed operators offer BOG, on what race types, and whether the terms are genuinely valuable or filled with exclusions.
What BOG Is and Why It Matters
Suppose you back a horse ante-post at 10/1. By race day the SP is 14/1. With BOG, you are paid at 14/1. Without BOG, you receive 10/1 regardless. The value of BOG depends on how often you take early prices and how much SP movement typically occurs on your selections. Research suggests BOG adds 3–8% to returns on ante-post racing bets over a full year of Cheltenham-style betting.
| Operator Type | BOG Coverage | Exclusions | French/International |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racing Specialist | All Irish & UK flat & jumps | None on named races | Selected |
| General GRAI Bookmaker | Irish & UK racing | Some early betting shows excluded | Limited |
| GRAI-Licensed Alternative | Irish & UK racing | Minimal | Not usually |
| Betting Exchange | N/A (SP is the market) | N/A | N/A |
BOG: Named Races vs. All Races
Some operators offer BOG only on “named” races (feature races with a prize fund above a threshold). This is a weaker offer than BOG on all races. For punters who bet mainly on Grade 1 and Grade 2 jumps racing and Group 1 flat races, named-race BOG is effectively the same as all-race BOG. For punters who back in midweek maiden hurdles and handicap chases, all-race BOG is materially better.
Early Betting Shows and BOG
Some operators exclude the early morning betting show prices from BOG, paying BOG only on the first afternoon show. If you typically take the early morning price (which is often a point or two longer than the afternoon show), check whether your operator’s BOG applies to the morning show. This exclusion costs punters who bet before 10am on racedays.
BOG and Each-Way Bets
BOG applies to the win part of an each-way bet on most operators. Some extend BOG to the place portion too — check terms carefully. Place BOG is a less common and more valuable offer. If your each-way strategy relies on place returns (back a shortish favourite each-way in a competitive field), place BOG adds measurable value.
Frequently Asked Questions
BOG means you receive the starting price (SP) on race day if it is higher than the price you took when placing your bet. It is a free upgrade that benefits ante-post and early-price punters.
Most major GRAI-licensed operators offer BOG on all Irish and UK racing. Some restrict to named races or specific race types. Check each operator’s BOG page for current terms.
BOG typically applies to the win portion of an each-way bet. Some operators extend it to the place portion too. Check the specific BOG terms before placing each-way ante-post bets.
No. On a betting exchange, the SP is determined by the market, and you back at whatever odds are available at the time. BOG is a fixed odds bookmaker product.
Terms vary by operator. Some allow BOG to apply to free bets; others pay BOG only on cash bets. Check T&Cs before placing a free bet ante-post.