You have to question the logic of the rule book sometimes. They put the stipulation in about having to complete 3 chases to be eligible for a Class 1 handicap chase - the reasoning being to make sure the animal is capable to compete at this level. The same rule book allowed good old Kinkeel to run in a Grade 1 Chase when rated 64 in the Victor Chandler Chase last year !!!!
Oddy, I agree. The problem is that the BHA bowed to pressure around the Grand National and tried to make it safer by only having experienced horses in it, and the same goes for races like this one. It is ridiculous that they have changed the whole playing field for novices, and it means very good jumpers like this one are penalised because of their "inexperience" over fences. I find it very tough to take, if a horse has a handicap mark it should be able to run in a handicap, as long as it meets the age/handicap mark stipulations.
Had it been one of the multi-millionaires I reckon it would have been a different outcome. I know what some of these authorities are like when they get threatened by those with limitless funds. I wonder where they draw the line at re-assessing a horse based on "what they know". This whole farce leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. But, as the connections aren't going to take them on, it's best forgotten asap.
Ron, that is unfair, I think the result would have been the same. The BHA had to lodge an appeal, it was found that the horse was ineligible and I think all owners would expect the same result. The owners surely have to be annoyed at the trainer, at the end of the day it is his fault for not knowing the rules. I agree that the system should pick it out, but we have seen the same with ineligible players in football, and teams getting thrown out.
Putting it up a stone is shocking. If it had been beaten 25l would its mark have been dropped?? I very much doubt it.
Not disputing taking the race away Nass. No option really. It's regarding the run as invalid for one purpose but valid for another. And it's that latter that could have been legally challenged had connections had a mind and the money to do so. I wonder how many times it's been spotted after the event and not reported (and I wonder why). Don't get me going about crooked officialdom
