Looks like the Racing Post Ratings are going to be the most reliable over jumps at least for a year or two?

National trip revised as jump tracks remeasured

BY TOM KERR 1:40PM 6 MAY 2015

THE advertised trip of next year's Crabbie's Grand National will be a furlong shorter than previous due to a new method of measuring race distances that makes the course of the world's most famous chase 4m2½f.

RELATED LINKS
Full list of revised race distances
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/wp...-June-2015.pdf

Dozens of races will technically be run over shorter distances, and 11 tracks unable to adjust their start positions have been given dispensation to run races over less than the minimum distance of two miles.

The new methodology has been introduced to improve accuracy in race distances, according to the BHA and Racecourse Association (RCA), who together published the new measurements on Wednesday.

Under the new system the race distance has been calculated by professional surveyors measuring a racing line two yards off the innermost running rail, rather than along the mid-point of the course using a surveyor's wheel as under the previous system.

The revised measurements will be advertised from June 1. Each race will then have two distances: one a precise figure accurate to the yard, the other a figure rounded to the nearest half-furlong, as under the previous system.

Jamie Stier, BHA director of raceday operations and regulation, said: "This project was instigated to bring the measurement of jump races in line with the methodology already used to measure Flat races, and ensure greater accuracy of jump-race distances."

Caroline Davies, racecourse services director for the RCA, added: "For jump racing in particular, it is essential that clerks of the course have the scope to move running rails so as to provide the best possible racing surface especially during periods of inclement weather.

"Having a base measurement means that changes to race distances can be advertised more accurately, particularly if late changes to the racing line are necessary due to dolling out."

The National shrunk from 4m4f to 4m3½f in 2013 when the start was moved further from the stands for safety reasons, but on this occasion the start and the course remain the same as it is simply the method of measuring that has trimmed the distance.

The greatest change to a race distance is at Market Rasen, where a 4m3½f chase will now be run over over 4m2f.

Some racecourses have adjusted start positions to reflect advertised distances. At other tracks official race distances have been reduced.

There are 11 courses where the minimum trip will now be under two miles, including Ascot, Haydock and Sandown. Ayr will now host the shortest jumps race in Britain, a 1m7f112y chase.

Stier added: "Where dispensation has been granted it is important to note that the distances of the races in question have not changed – they will be run over the exact same course as previously – nor is this an indication that the races were previously run over the wrong distance. Simply the new methodology, which follows a tighter line, naturally means that the advertised distances will be shorter.

"Where this revised distance was less than two miles alterations, if possible, were made to start positions, however in the 11 cases this was not possible, so the only options were to delete the races from the programme or provide exemptions to the rule."

http://www.racingpost.com/news/live.sd