Stupid Questions

[dannycraigpirates]

My stupid question time:

why would a trainer / owner run a horse from outside of the handicap?

[charlie]

Why does Rich Ricci hibernate for 11 months of the year? Anyone know?

[TigerRolllllll]

My stupid question time:

why would a trainer / owner run a horse from outside of the handicap?

Weights aren’t known when entered.....depends on how good highest rated horse is

lots possible reasons to run......only few pounds wrong and still has a chance, part of a race plan , might be running with a future hcap mark in mind (if understand my drift), pacemaker for another horse, etc

Used to be a big issue with Grand National and too many poor quality horses ran as prestigious event .....but rules tightened since for safety

[OverTheLast]

Can a horse go from bumpers to straight over fences? is that allowed?

[Istabraq]

Can a horse go from bumpers to straight over fences? is that allowed?

Yes, a horse can go from their yard to novice/beginners chases if they choose...

[Istabraq]

Why does Rich Ricci hibernate for 11 months of the year? Anyone know?

Given how he looks and dresses I’m surprised it’s only 11 months...

[Faugheen_Machine]

Can a horse go from bumpers to straight over fences? is that allowed?

Yep. No restriction on that OLT. At a high level, Florida Pearl did just that to great effect.

[Istabraq]

My stupid question time:

why would a trainer / owner run a horse from outside of the handicap?

Sometimes trainers do such a good job at concealing a horse ability they’re happy to run then a few pound ‘wrong’, many big races have been won by horses from out of the handicap though these days qualifying with a rating that gets you a run is a major issue...

[charlie]

Given how he looks and dresses I’m surprised it’s only 11 months...

hahahaha good answer

[Pendil]

I can understand the question but if people don't understand the ratings systems its dangerous betting

[The King Pimm]

I still don't really understand what a stores horse is so if anyone could explain it'd be genuinely appreciated! In my head its just horses that have been bought, unnamed but kept in training and just sort of in limbo til they decide what to do with them.

I’ve always wondered that too Jorvik, I always thought they were foals that owners or trainers didn’t want once born and given up for sale at a cheaper price. I’ve never really understood the term store horse??

[The King Pimm]

Why does Rich Ricci hibernate for 11 months of the year? Anyone know?

Locked up in his gimp box in Maynards Pawn Shop waiting for someone to come and visit so he can be brought out in his leather outfit

[Brital]

1. Many horses sold at the big 3yo store sales in Ireland are bought by those who specialise in getting them to the track as a 4yo and selling them on for profit. The Doyles (Monbeg) and Colin Bowe are leaders in this field. They run them in PtPs because it's less competitive and, I think in the case of the Doyles, they don't have a licence to train under rules. These guys are specifically looking for 3yos that will run as 4yos and can go on to run under rules at 4 or 5. Most rules trainers will prefer to start from scratch and will ignore the PtP runs, often preferring a bumper run to start from the proverbial clean sheet.

2. As stated, the only official rating is OR. All ratings are subjective and many professionals have their own set of ratings rather than rely on others' opinions. RPR and Timeform are usually only rolled out when they agree with the view of the poster. At the end of the (NH) season, the UK and Irish handicappers get together and agree a shared mark for horses over a certain rating (150?).

3. By and large, hurdles and chasing ORs are entirely separate. Sometimes a horse has run in a handicap chase before it has had sufficient runs over fences to earn a chase mark although I believe that this is at the discretion of the handicapper. When this is allowed, the hurdles mark is usually used unless there is compelling evidence to suggest otherwise. As time moves on, a chaser can increase his mark over fences but his hurdles mark may stay the same. As long as the period of time isn't excessive, it's quite possible that a 145 chaser can revert to hurdles off 125 if that was his last hurdles mark. I'm fairly sure that the UK and Irish handicappers have a different qualification period for this and it caused some consternation on here last Cheltenham. The Storyteller?

Thanks Archie.

[taylorch1990]

Why are the top races on the flat called Group 1,2 and 3s but over jumps there called Grade 1,2 and 3s?

[Diamond Geezer]

Why is this place called Fat Jockey ?