Today was a confusing day of racing, with meetings on both codes. Newton Abbot had a handicap hunter chase, the first I have seen to be run under rules. How common are they? In my view, seen as Rules racing has plenty of hunter chases run from January/February time through till the big Stratford meeting in about 2 weeks time, maybe a cash injection into those races rather than more of them would be more appropriate. Your views please.
Tomorrow is a scheduler's nightmare, Southwell and Nottingham starting 10 minutes apart. My selections are: Chaussini (2.50 Brighton), Integria (4.20 Brighton), Now What (7.30 Kempton), Bahia Emerald (2.00 Nottingham), Andorn (3.30 Nottingham), Sumner E/W (2.40 Southwell), Sky Calling - NAP (4.40 Southwell), Seren Rouge (5.10 Southwell), Malibu Sun (6.40 Towcester), Not So Sure Dick (7.40 Towcester).
Good Luck
Will,
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you mean regarding the handicap hunter chase. It's the first I've noticed, but I can see the point as, historically, some of these races have tended to be uncompetitive.
Hunter chases have always complimented point-to-points, giving hunting horses the chance to race under rules, with races run during the PTP season.
Personally I don't think prize money is an issue for hunter chases (it is, I hope, still about the glory for the amateurs involved)and in real terms it's probably held up better than prize money for other race types.
Re scheduling, obviously there are going to be small gaps between races when there are several meetings. I assume you mean it's a nightmare that there are meetings so geographically close together on the same afternoon? I agree that seems silly - surely it can only reduce the crowd at both. Why not make one an evening fixture? Come on race planners - engage brains!