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Age
RACE DESCRIPTIONS
1.36 THE INCHS CIDER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)
This is a one mile and TWO furlongs handicap race for four-year-olds which have been rated from 51 to 70. In a handicap the weight that each of the runners carries is determined by their official handicap rating which is based on their level of form shown so far. The aim is to ensure competitive racing by asking the higher rated horses to carry more weight than a lower rated rival. As a guide, horses rated 40 tend to be at the lower end of the scale whilst the very best performers would be rated as high as 130.
2.11 THE INCHS CIDER SELLING STAKES (CLASS 2)
Selling Stakes exist as an outlet for connections to sell their horses. Any horse that wins a seller, such as this five furlongs contest, is automatically put up for public auction in the Winners’ Enclosure at the end of the race and goes to the highest bidder, so make sure to head that way after the race as the auction is usually well worth seeing. This particular seller is for two-year-olds.
Like most handicaps on the flat, this seven furlongs handicap for three-year-olds rated between 71 and 90 is also open to horses which are rated below that particular band. However, all handicaps stipulate a minimum weight and no runner can carry less than that, irrespective of how low their rating is. This is often described as ‘running from out of the handicap ’ and is usually a disadvantage
The feature race of the day is a Class Two handicap, the aim is to ensure a level playing field for all and this is achieved by allocating different weights to each of the runners based on what they have achieved on the racecourse so far. Each runner is given a rating usually ranging from around 30 at the lower end of the scale to roughly 130 for the Derby winner. This particular five furlongs handicap has been designed for four-year-olds and upwards rated between 0 and 105.
Like most handicaps on the flat, this five furlong handicap for four-year-olds and upwards rated between 46 and 55 is also open to horses which are rated below that particular band. However, all handicaps stipulate a minimum weight and no runner can carry less than that, irrespective of how low their rating is. This is often described as ‘running from out of the handicap ’ and is usually a disadvantage.
4.41 THE OLD MOUT BERRIES AND CHERRIES 0% HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6)
Once a horse has raced three times, or won a race, the official handicapper will allocate a rating based on its past performance/s and this dictates the weight which they will carry in a handicap. This particular seven furlongs handicap has been designed for four-year-olds and upwards which have been rated between 46 and 60. Therefore, a horse officially rated 65 would be required to carry 5lb more than a rival rated 60.
5.11 THE AMSTEL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5)
The finale this afternoon is a one mile six furlongs handicap for four-year-olds which have been officially rated between 51 and 70. Like all handicaps on this afternoon’s card this means that should a horse rated 70 take part, he or she would be required to carry 5lb more than a rival rated 65.
