Reserves At Royal Ascot

The fields for all races on the Flat have to be declared 48 hours before each raceday, and Royal Ascot is no exception.

This year, reserves will be declared at the 48-hour stage for certain Royal Ascot handicaps. The purpose of this is to ensure that owners have the opportunity to run their horses if spaces in the race come about for any reason, before the 24-hour stage.

Up to three reserves can replace non-runners any time up to 1.00pm the day before the race. The reason why reserves cannot come in later is that race programmes have to be finalised for the national media and bookmakers have to prepare markets in the full knowledge of the fields at this stage.

Each reserve horse is given a number and a draw at the 48-hour stage. In the event of a non-runner being declared before the 1.00pm deadline the day before the race, the reserve retains its original number and draw. The stall number of the withdrawn horse is removed, with the positions concertinaing. This is why racegoers might see, for example, the stall numbers going up to 33 although there are only 30 berths and 30 runners.

Today’s race with a reserve running is The Sandringham StakesBellaphina