Clarification of matters pertaining to Open Preferred Handicaps
The Open Preferred Handicap is a very useful race available to the Promoter. However, there has been some concern regarding where a horse stands if there are last minute withdrawals. The matter was debated at the Council meeting on Saturday 16th August and acting on a force majeure basis it was decided to add the following rule:
L12 [b] – In the case of an Open Preferred Handicap the positions of horses being determined by their monies won as appearing in the BHRC Handicap System and upon publication of the official start sheet then those positions are deemed to have been drawn and as such cannot be changed (save for cases under rule G8). However, where a horse or horses withdraw movement within the line is permitted but not from second line to first or third to second.