 |
|
|
|
|
racing news
|
associations
betting exchanges
betting strategy
bloodstock agents
bookmakers
breeders cup
cheltenham festival
epsom derby
fixtures 2005
fun and games
glorious goodwood
grand national
holidays & tours
race horses
hospitality
information & tips
jockeys
laying horses
links sites
odds comparison
overseas racing
portals
punchestown
racecourses
race horse trainers
royal ascot
horse sales
software
stud farms
syndicates
york ebor
BHB
to scale back 48-hour declarations14/11/2004
Racing's rulers are to cut back on the number of races subject to 48-hour declarations.
But the British Horseracing Board have also expressed their commitment to considering a universal 48-hour system "should strong evidence emerge that there would be significant resultant financial benefits to the sport".
Chief executive Greg Nichols said: "The decision to scale back 48-hour declarations was reached by the board with some reluctance, and it may be that in time this is seen as taking one step back before taking two steps forward."
Currently, all Group races and so-called heritage handicaps on the Flat declare early, as do non-novice Grade Ones over jumps, together with Grade Three races (the big handicaps such as the Grand National, Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup and a whole host of others).
All declarations for racing on a Sunday take place at the 48-hour stage, too, as does racing on the all-weather from November to March.
But under the new plan, all Group Two and Three Flat races will revert to overnight declarations, as will heritage handicaps on the Flat and Grade Three jumps handicaps.
A racecourse hosting a heritage handicap or a Grade Three jumps handicap can, however, at its discretion continue to adopt a 48-hour declaration stage. In that case the race would, as at present, operate a 1pm deadline for reserves on the day preceding the race.
The 48-hour system will continue for Sunday racing, Group One Flat and non-novice Grade One jump races, and all-weather racing from November 2004 to March 2005.
In due course, a trial will be staged to ascertain the impact of moving the jockeys' declaration deadline forward to 11.30am from 1pm, better enabling US outlets to display British cards and form in a format suitable for the local market.
The 48-hour system had come in for severe criticism from some trainers, particularly at the Cheltenham Festival in March.
