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  6. Current rule
The Orders and Rules of Racing

PART 3 - RACING PROGRAMMES - (F)20 to (F)46

36. Handicap flat races: weight adjustments at declaration to run

36.1 With regard to any Handicap flat race, an assessment shall be made in accordance with this Rule and Rule 36A, at the time determined in accordance with Rule (F)89 for making declarations to run, in order to determine the weight adjustments required by this Rule.
36.2 Subject to paragraphs 36.8 and 36.9, if

36.2.1 the highest weight that remains declared to run (whether it is an original weight or a weight adjusted under Rule 35 but ignoring penalties) is less than the weight maximum specified in the conditions of the race, or
36.2.2 in respect of any Handicap which is not confined to Amateur Riders, the highest weighted horse in receipt of a weight-for-age allowance that remains declared to run (whether it is an original weight or a weight adjusted under Rule 35) is less than the weight maximum specified in the conditions of the race for a horse of that age, or 9st 7lb (whichever is higher).

the weights shall be raised by the lowest amount necessary to ensure compliance with either the weight maximum for older horses specified in paragraph 36.2.1, or 9st 7lb as specified in paragraph 36.2.2 and the weights of all other declared runners will be raised equally.

36.3 Any penalty incurred since the date stated in the conditions of the race shall then be added

36.3.1 to the final weights, as increased under Rule 35 and Paragraph 36.2, or
36.3.2 if no such increase was made, to the original weights.

36.4 If the weight of a horse (including any penalties) is still below the lowest permitted weight after any increase required by Paragraphs 36.2 and 36.3, its weight shall be raised to the lowest weight permitted in accordance with Rule 34 which where applicable, shall be the bottom weight specified in the conditions of the race for a horse of that age.
36.5 In respect of any Handicap flat race which is not confined to Amateur Riders, if the horse with the lowest weight that remains declared to run has a weight (including any penalties) of more than 9st 2lb after any increase required by Paragraphs 36.2, 36.3 and 36.4, its weight shall be lowered to either

36.5.1 9st 2lb, or
36.5.2 to the minimum weight to be carried by any horse as stated in the race conditions (whichever is the higher)and all other declared runners lowered accordingly.

36.6 Where a penalty is incurred after the time for making declarations to run, it shall be calculated on the original weight

36.6.1 including any increase under Rule 35 and Paragraphs 36.2 and 36.7 and any decrease under Paragraph 36.5, but
36.6.2 excluding any increase under Paragraph 36.4.

36.7 Where the raising of weights is necessary, horses rated 1lb or 2lb above the upper rating limit of the race should initially be disregarded for the purposes of initia raising of the weights. Once the weights have been raised, based upon the horses rated within the rating range of the race, the weights of these additional horses shall be raised accordingly. However, if the top weight (excluding penalties) remaining engaged in the race is therefore raised above 10st 7lb or 12st in races confined to Amateur Riders, the top weight will be lowered to a maximum of 10st 7lb or 12st in races confined to Amateur Riders and all other weights lowered accordingly.

36.8 In determining, for the purposes of Rule 36, the highest weight remaining declared to run, any horse declared to run under Part 6, having also been declared as a reserve as provided for in Rule 99A shall be disregarded.

36.9 But the weight of any horse disregarded by virtue of paragraphs 36.7 and 36.8 shall be increased by adding to its weight the amount by which the weights of the race are raised in accordance with Rule 36, without limit by the conditions of the race or otherwise.