British racing’s rulers have announced that greater flexibility will be applied to the current handicap system in an effort to reduce the number of animals currently being eliminated.

There is to be an extension of the 48-hour declaration stage for all Flat Heritage Handicaps and all Group Races and major jumping Handicaps in England from next year it has been announced.

British Horseracing Board chairman Peter Savill has moved to remove the grey area which exists between UK racing’s two governing bodies by proposing the merger of their governance and regulatory roles.