Handicapping has already come a long way - the latest tweaks will change little

It is always good to hear from the man in charge, particularly when his field is so important to racing yet so infrequently, and inexpertly, analysed.

Phil Smith, the former BHA head of handicapping, was never backward in coming forward with his views. He saw a mission to explain as part of his role, hence his sessions tag-wrestling with Matt Chapman on At The Races, even if they tended to generate more heat than light.

His successor, Dominic Gardiner-Hill, is a different character. As befits a former Racing Post employee, he is happy to let his work do the talking.