Measures to prevent the compression of weights in major National Hunt handicaps are to be introduced by the British Horseracing Board, it was announced today.
The orders will be published in tomorrow's Racing Calendar.
The move comes in response to events at this year's Cheltenham Festival when uncertainty centred around horses awarded automatic top-weight.
There was controversy over the running of ex French-trained Pain Royal in the William Hill Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Festival, who was given automatic top-weight of 12st leaving just five of the 12 runners in the handicap proper.
The race was won by Marlborough, like Pain Royal owned by Robert Ogden, who carried just 10-3 in the race.
Now horses which have not qualified for a handicap rating will no longer be able to enter handicaps under top weight, while French imports will be allotted a handicap rating provided they have run a minimum of three times in France - although ex-French novices will still have to race three times in Britain.
Foreign-based horses in Class A, B and C handicaps will be allotted a rating through collateral form but if this is not possible will be given a "cautious" rating which will effectively place the horse at or near the head of the handicap.
Measures will also be taken to counteract uncertainty over horses at the head of the handicap indicated as subject to withdrawal on the day of the race owing to possible changes in going.
Racecourses staging major handicaps will be offered the option to construct weights by allotting 11st 10lb to horses with a rating of 150 and 155, with higher-rated horses set a weight appropriate to their rating compared with this benchmark.
However, the BHB, after consultation with racing professionals, remains opposed to raising weights on the day of the race.
The BHB is also in discussions with the Jockey Club to ensure that when a top weight is withdrawn from a major handicap on the day of the race, the circumstances are clear and shown to be in the interest of the horse and racing as a whole.
Safer Gambling UK has launched its annual awareness week to promote responsible gambling.
