Due to an error within the race conditions, four horses in the 1:40pm William Hill Play Responsibly Handicap (Class 2) at York racecourse tomorrow, 21 May 2022, are running from out of the handicap when this should not have been the case.

In 2021 the race was a handicap for horses rated 91-110, and the race conditions correctly stated that any horse rated below 91 would be treated as having that rating and would need to run from out of the handicap.

However, when the rating band was dropped for the race this year, the figure of 91 was retained in error in the race conditions (as opposed to being dropped to 86).
The result is that the following four horses are running from out of the handicap:

• SWISS ACE (rated 89 carrying 9st 2lb – should be 9st)
• NORTHERN EXPRESS (rated 88 carrying 9st 2lb – should be 8st 13lb)
• SNASH (rated 88 carrying 9st 2lb – should be 8st 13lb)
• ALEEZDANCER (3yo) (rated 90 carrying 8st 5lb – should be 8st 4lb)

The rules of racing are clear that, as the error was identified after 9am on the day of declaration, the weights cannot be amended. (Code 18, paragraph 38)

The trainers of the four horses have been contacted and informed about the error. They have been offered the opportunity to declare their horses a non-runner and informed that the owners’ entry fees would be reimbursed should they decide not to run.

There will be a review of the circumstances that led to this error and the BHA apologises to the owners, trainers, jockeys and anyone else affected.