Field size up for first race under new handicapping trial

A new approach to handicapping the outcome of conditions races comes into force at Doncaster on Sunday, where only the winner of the Adwick Kingpin Stakes will be allowed to have its rating raised.

As part of an attempt to improve field sizes in conditions events, the BHA hopes limiting the action handicappers can take will encourage greater participation and lead to more of the races being scheduled.

Conditions races are an alternative to handicaps which are primarily aimed at horses that fall just below Group class. But field sizes averaged 5.72 last year, with trainers believing their horses were at risk of receiving a stiff ratings rise if they run too close to a superior opponent on unfavourable terms – even though this is not borne out by analysis.

Under the new rules, which covers 43 races this year, only the winner, or any horse that has run fewer than four times, can have its handicap mark raised. All other beaten horses will have their marks left unchanged or reduced under a season-long trial.

Sunday's race, which was contested by five runners last year, has drawn a field of eight.