The British Horseracing Authority has announced a number of changes to the programme for the upcoming National Hunt season, including a minimum rating requirement for Grade 1 novice and juvenile hurdles.

Horses will only be allowed to run in the top-level contests should they have achieved a rating of 110 or higher, either through a published handicap mark or as assessed by the BHA handicapper to have to raced to that level in at least one hurdle run.