The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed changes to the procedure for races which have reserves in relation to post-declaration weights rises. 

If the top weight is a non-runner after declaration but prior to the reserve deadline of 1pm the day before the race, weights will not rise if all runners are already in the weights, taking account of any penalties horses might have incurred for winning but not including riders’ allowances.

If any of the declarations are outside the weights, then the weights will rise in the usual manner as they do currently, and revised declarations of riders will be accepted up until 1.30pm on the day before the race. This will come into force for the 2019 Randox Health Grand National and all subsequent races which have reserves.

Clarification has also been provided as to how reserves will be presented in the racecard/data feeds should they get a run in the 2019 Grand National.

Reserves will take the number of the horse they are replacing but appear at the bottom of the racecard list to maintain weight order. As an example, if a horse numbered 14 comes out, the reserve will have R14 next to its name in the racecard but will appear at the end/bottom of the list of runners. The horse would still carry the number 14 weight cloth.

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact the BHA Racing Department on 0207 152 0050 or via [email protected].