BOG stands for Best Odds Guaranteed. If you take an early price on a horse or greyhound and the Starting Price (SP) is bigger when the race starts, your bookmaker automatically upgrades your winnings to the SP. You always get the better of the two prices — guaranteed.
How Best Odds Guaranteed Works
You back a horse at 5/1 (early price). By race time, the SP is 7/1. With BOG, you are paid out at 7/1 — no need to do anything. If the SP drifts in (shortens), you keep your original 5/1.
BOG is offered by most licensed Irish bookmakers on UK and Irish horse racing and greyhound racing. It is not typically available on football or other sports.
BOG vs Early Price vs SP: Comparison
| Scenario | Early Price | SP Only | BOG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horse drifts: EP 4/1 → SP 6/1 | Paid at 4/1 | Paid at 6/1 | Paid at 6/1 ✓ |
| Horse shortens: EP 4/1 → SP 2/1 | Paid at 4/1 | Paid at 2/1 | Paid at 4/1 ✓ |
| Horse holds price: EP 4/1 → SP 4/1 | Paid at 4/1 | Paid at 4/1 | Paid at 4/1 |
| SP bigger due to market moves | Stuck at EP | Gets SP | Gets SP ✓ |
When BOG Is Most Valuable
BOG matters most when you back a horse each-way at big prices and it drifts in the market. Big-field handicaps, Cheltenham Festival races, and big Saturday cards see the most significant SP movements.
Always check your bookmaker offers BOG before placing horse racing bets. Not all operators provide it, and some restrict it to certain race meetings or time windows.
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Best Odds Guaranteed on horse racing in Ireland: how it works
Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) means that if you take an early price (the price available before the race) and the Starting Price (SP) on the day is higher than your early price, you are automatically paid at the higher SP. If your early price is higher than SP, you keep your early price. BOG is a free upgrade — you always get the better of your early price or the final SP.
| Scenario | Early Price Taken | SP at Race Time | BOG: Paid At |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP drifts (gets bigger) | 5/1 (6.0) | 7/1 (8.0) | 7/1 — you get the better price |
| SP shortens (gets smaller) | 5/1 (6.0) | 3/1 (4.0) | 5/1 — you keep your early price |
| SP equals early price | 5/1 (6.0) | 5/1 (6.0) | 5/1 — no difference |
Which races qualify for Best Odds Guaranteed at Irish bookmakers
BOG availability varies by operator but is typically offered on:
- British and Irish horse racing (Flat and National Hunt) from featured meetings
- Major festivals: Cheltenham, Punchestown, Galway, Leopardstown Christmas Festival, Fairyhouse, Naas
- BOG usually applies to named early prices (12/1 ante-post) placed before a specified cut-off time, often the morning of the race
- BOG typically excludes: international racing (France, UAE, USA), non-featured fixtures, and bets placed in-play
Always check the specific BOG terms on each race page before placing. Some operators apply BOG automatically; others require you to opt in or select a specific price type when placing the bet.
Yes — BOG applies to both the win and place parts of an each-way bet. If the SP is bigger, both portions are paid at the SP.
Most bookmakers offer BOG on UK and Irish racing. Some exclude evening meetings, international races, or certain bet types. Always check the terms.