Good Morning All, I'm sure most of your are aware of the mutterings about potentially bringing this idea of a National Hunt "Triple Crown" back into action. The races included in this being "The Lancashire Chase" @ Haydock, i.e the Betfair Chase, King George Chase @ Kempton and of course the Jewel in the Crown, The Cheltenham Gold Cup. I appreciate there has never officially been a "Triple Crown" of National Hunt racing, but didn't Betfair run a £1 million pound bonus some years ago for a horse that won all 3 in the same season? With King Kauto Star being the winner of this in 2007. However, this idea was seemingly dropped after this. Would be great to hear people's thoughts about this, especially with the notion they are trying to find one "non-bookmaker" sponsor to sponsor all 3 events. IMHO, i think it would be great publicity for the sport especially if a horse won the first 2 legs and with the gap between Boxing Day and March for Cheltenham. I feel the anticipation would build tremendously. Baring that in mind though, it's trying to find a horse capable of winning all 3. As mentioned earlier the last horse to do it was King Kauto and he was a once in a lifetime horse.
Betfair stopped offering the bonus when they realised a horse could, and did, win it (Kauto Star)! Companies are only keen to promote gimmicks like this if there is little chance of them having to pay out so they win (i) in attracting publicity and (ii) not having to pay out any bonus!
There was also a million bonus for the hurdling triple crown - Fighting Fifth, Christmas Hurdle and Champion Hurdle. I remember Harchibald and Go Native both winning the first 2 legs but coming up short at Cheltenham. I think it's a great idea, it would take a real good horse to win either of the triple crowns though.
I think it's an interesting point about trying to find a "non-bookmaker" sponsor, considering all 3 races at present are sponsored by bookmakers and the amount of money they pump into the sport at present.
