PUNTERS doing their form study for Saturday may have noticed something odd about some of the race times.
That’s because this weekend signals the start of a BHA and Horse Racing Ireland-led trial which will see a number of races go off at ‘non-standard’ times.
Rather than stage racing at traditional five-minute marks, the action at Musselburgh and Wetherby will be staged at irregular intervals, a system which is common overseas.
For example, the first race at Musselburgh will go off at 12.57, with races later on the card at 1.31, 3.52 and 4.26.
The trial, which was planned in conjunction with HRI, will be rolled out across 11 race days in February – five Saturdays and six weekdays.
Races broadcast on terrestrial TV in Britain and Ireland will continue to use standard race times.
But it is hoped the move will prevent race clashes and split-screens, with Leopardstown set to stage the valuable Dublin Festival this weekend.
A BHA spokesman said: The purpose of the trial is to explore the potential benefits for the sports customer in particular the betting public of adopting non-standard race times on those afternoons when the volume of racing in Britain and Ireland is relatively high.
The primary benefits may include fewer clashes and delayed races, which are a cause of frustration for punters and media alike, and a more even distribution of races.
Well be lacking at all the data around the trial, as well as taking in feedback from participants, racecourses and the betting public, all parties before deciding on whether to make the trial permanent.
Jason Morris, director of racing for HRI, echoed the BHA’s sentiments.
He said: All stakeholders in Ireland have been consulted, including HRIs betting committee and programmes committee.
“They have agreed to a trial of non-standard race times in February. We are grateful to the Association of Irish Racecourses for their support.
“Irish race times are co-ordinated through SIS and involve close co-operation with Racing TV and we will collectively review the effectiveness of the trial working alongside our colleagues in the BHA.
The decision to run the trial came following talks between the BHA and HRI, as well as the Levy Boards Betting Liaison Group, racecourses, media rights companies (RMG, SIS and TRP) and broadcasters.
And the move has been welcomed by bookies, with the trial expected to boost betting turnover.
Coral’s David Stevens said: We very much welcome the trial of non-standard race times this weekend, as this has been something weve been pushing for.
“Anything that helps prevent races clashing can only be a positive for punters, and a boost to us in maximising betting turnover on these races, which will benefit the sport as a whole.
