The official distance of the Grand National will be reduced to four miles and two-and-a-half furlongs from 2016 following the conclusion of a survey of distances at all National Hunt courses conducted by the British Horseracing Authority.
From 1 June, race distances will still be advertised with their traditional descriptions, but a precise “baseline” distance, measured two yards from the innermost running rail and to the nearest yard, will also be included in the conditions.
Distances were formerly measured along the midpoint of the course using a surveyor’s wheel, and in many cases, the new, more accurate distances will be shorter than in the past. In some cases, the precise distances will be less than the official minimum trip of two miles, but at courses where minor adjustments to the starting point are impossible, the BHA will sanction exceptions to the rule. Ascot, for instance, will stage hurdle races advertised as: “about 2m (1m 7f 152yds)”.
At the other end of the spectrum, the distance of the Crabbie’s Grand National will now be advertised as “4m about 2.5f (4m 2f 7fyds)”, a furlong less than this year’s description of “4m about 3.5f”, which was in itself a reduction of half a furlong from the traditionally recognised distance of four-and-a-half miles following a change to the position of the start for the race.
“This new methodology will improve the quality and quantity of data we provide our participants and the increased accuracy will be of benefit to trainers, jockeys, owners and betting customers,” Jamie Stier, the BHA’s director of raceday operations and regulation, said on Wednesday.
“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.”
The survey has yet to be completed at Wetherby racecourse, where it was revealed last year that races had been run over incorrect distances for five years, due to the recent introduction of a Flat programme at the Yorkshire track.
