Difference in handicap marks for England and Ireland?

[mileni4uk]

Guys, what's the difference between the english and irish handicapper? For example The Last Derby in summer national tomorrow is running off 138, but is 131 in Ireland. Is it 7lbs officially?

[fintron]

Re: Difference in handicap marks for England and Ireland?

Guys' date=' what's the difference between the english and irish handicapper? For example The Last Derby in summer national tomorrow is running off 138, but is 131 in Ireland. Is it 7lbs officially?[/quote'] I think the UK handicapper just rates them at his discretion, don't think (although not certain) there is a set amount he marks them up by. As a side note, I did some reading up on the difference between UK and Irish marks not so long since, on the BHA site, it was an excellent piece from Phil Smith (head handicapper). Some of the key points were: