© Photo Healy Racing
The rating bands in both hurdle and chase handicap races will be simplified from the start of next year with five previous levels to be condensed to just three.
The three new rating bands will be 0-100, 110 and 120 which will replace the previous levels of 0-95, 102, 109, 116 and 123.
The minimum rating that horses can run off will be 72 rather than 80.
The 0-95 and 102 rating bands are to be replaced by 0-100 handicaps.
The 110 rating band (110 = 11st12lb) will replace the 109 level and no horse rated more than 115 may enter.
The 120 rating band (120 = 11st12lb) will replace the 116 and 123 bands, and no horse rated more than 125 can enter.
The changes will come into effect from January 1, 2025.
