Wes.
Apart from the distance factor i also believe the field size has a bearing on the pace of the races.


In larger fields the horses drawn middle to outside barriers go forward trying to slot in thus forcing the inside ones to kick up and hold.

This ensures a good (AES) this is a generalization only from sitting here 7 days a week watching them on sky channel horses patterns are all different.

Obviously the smaller fields where horses can lob straight into a position will ensure a slower (AES).

If you get a chance could you put the figures into field sizes.

I place mine this way.

less than <8 (small)
8-14(medium)
more than 14>(large).

Any break up will do just interested to see if any anomalies or not.

cheers
garyf