General question about layoffs

[Bill Lyster]

I understand that regularly spaced works are a good thing and the longer the better (4f and up).

My question has to do with the number of works after a layoff (over 90 days) or the number of works required to get a horse back into racing form after even longer or shorter layoffs.

Usually RDSS covers the 5 or 6 most recent works, if they have that many. So at what number of works should be allow a horse to remain a contender - 3, 4 , 5? (assuming consistent spacing and no large gaps between works?)

Also, lets say a horse is off 90 days and coming back to its normal surface and distance. How important is it to note the number of days between last race and first returning workout? Is it enough that the first work matches the horses demonstrated run frequency or should there be more frequent works to help let us know the horse could be a factor today?

Many thanks,