Is there anyone out there who has a definitive guide as to how to be successful when taking the reins ?
I'm not talking about the controls, I know how to use them, it just seems that no matter what style of horse you have it is damn near impossible to gain potential AND stay withing about 4 lengths of the rest of the field. This is especially the case with closers.

If I am on a closer, at the back of the field and travelling at the speed that the rest of the pack os travelling, I drop potential like a stone.
If I slow down to the point where I am gaining potential quickly, I end up miles behind second last. If I travel slow enough to gain potential in small increments I still lose touch with the rest of the field.
End result is that you have to push hard just to tack on leaving you no potential for the actual final stretch.

Is there ANYONE who can offer some useful tips for taking the reins ?

I have found you hit the forward button when go comes up in the stall then just stay as you are if your running from behind. Then for exampl in a 1m4f race move up one speed level at the 9f mark and then another at the 7f pole. U should have gained some potential by then. If not just drop speed for a few strides to goin some then move back up. I then normally give it all I've got from the 4f pole although if you r still nearly last by then you might be in trouble. Don't be afraid to let the horse move through to fourth or fifth as this will give you a Breyer chance of picking up the opposition in the straight. Worked for me plenty of times. It's the sprints that are tricky best of as near the pace as possible most of the race. Hope that helps