Horse racing fans reveal the best methods to win big – and betting on a name you fancy does work.

It’s now official, that betting on a horse because of its name does work, according to UK punters.

Researchers polled 1,000 UK adults who enjoy a flutter and found the tactic of placing a wager on a horse because they just fancy the name is more successful than jersey colour and jockey name.

As a result of adopting this strategy those polled said the most they have won from a single bet was £32.17 on average.

This was ahead of wagers placed on jersey colour – £21.15, name of the jockey – £24.67 and selecting a horse at random – £28.82.

Commissioned by freebetting.co.uk, the research found 50 per cent usually select a horse based entirely on what it’s called.

Spokesperson Andy Bell said: “Part of the fun of having a flutter on the horses is studying the form guide and giving yourself the best possible chance of winning.

“But every now and then a horse takes our fancy for another reason, either by having a witty name or being named after something close to us.

“This could be either sharing our own name, or having a name that reminds us of a family member, loved one or even a pet.”

The research also identified other methods commonly used by punters when choosing a horse – including the name of the jockey and whether the number of the horse has personal significance.

One fifth have at one time or another selected a horse based on whether the jockey was good-looking and three in 10 have made a choice based on jersey colour.

It also emerged 22 per cent make a point of studying a horse’s form before having a flutter.

However 56 per cent said they have more fun betting on a race if they pick a horse based on attributes such as colour, name or number – rather than recent form.

Amid this, the most popular horse number selected is seven – with 25 per cent typically plumping for this digit.

When it comes to choosing a horse based on its name, 30 per cent are more likely to select a funny name.

And 16 per cent will pick a name which simply ‘sounds like a winner’.