I haven't had much experience with long distance races, having only sent these past 2 seasons - but I came to a conclusion that is probably the opposite of everybody elses LOL !!!
The cocks did better on natural last year than the hens, and the hens did better on roundabout this year - than the hens on natural the year before, the cocks didn't perform at all from the distance on roundabout - in fact the majority didn't even bother coming home - whereas we only lost one hen from the distance racing roundabout
So next year cocks will be raced natural from the distance - but the hens will be on roundabout