Hope to learn more from you guys

Hi there everyone. I don't want to bore all you experts with my request but will certainly appreciate any input that will assist to help me understand certain aspects of horse racing better.
I am a newby who joined this excellent site recently and enjoy the expertise & knowledge shared by most of you. I do, however, battle to understand certain criteria. I know about a maiden race, a graduation, a novice plate etc, etc, but have never really know in which order they rank in terms of lowest to highest. The other day I noticed that a horse was running in a MR70 after been running in a MR90 the previous month. But in the computerform this particular horse was not mentioned as a horse being down in class? Then weight for a age is another thing I battle to understand. The false rail - does that mean anything whether it is 3 metres out or 5 metres out? Aluminiums in front, Steel shoes? How does this effect a horse's performance? These are only a few things I can think of right now and I am sure someone out there can mention a whole lot more. If anyone has the patience to please assist and bear with me. I will really appreciate any input/advice. I really love horse racing and are amazed about the amount of knowledge which is being shared here.

Thanx.

Hi Callatus would suggest you use the "search" facility, we have plenty previous posts on various topics

Cheers

Hi Callatus if i can help explain anything just call me and I will try help. 0826595552. If it goes to voicemail then just leave a message and will call back asap. Cheers Craig

and perhaps if you ask one question at a time the blokes will answer... explaining the whole game of racing would take a very very long time

Thanks for all the replies. Craig will give you a buzz sometime.

Cheers.

Well perhaps as a suggestion, hibs/scotia could nominate a 'topic for the day' and then all of us can contribute - e.g. one topic could be 'Merit Ratings' and another 'Weight for Age' - fastest way for the 'newbies' to learn and hopefully get more 'young guns' involved in this wonderful game.

Frodo morning. I think that is a fantastic idea. Lets get the ball rolling.

Thanks mate !