General Chat

[Quevega]

And I actually think it’s now better for antepost punters.
The arkle and RSA will hopefully become more solid races to attack long term just like the 4/5 championship races are.
In theory and past experience it should mean more value in the markets- however, times have changed since the last time it was like this. So we’ll see.

[JackieMoon33]

I think it's been mentioned elsewhere on here, but I really like the idea of altering the distance of the Gallaghers to align with the DRF (2m 6f).

It's not traditional but I'd run them at 2m2f and 2m6f.

[JackieMoon33]

I’d like to know what benefit comes from allowing pro jockeys in the oldest race at the festival.

But agree the changes are largely positive.
Benjy23 hit on the appropriate word, dilution, which was always going to be a consequence of going from 18 races to 28….

The disparity in the quality of Amateur jockey's is too great in my opinion. It would actually mean that a smaller yard with a genuine contender, would have access to a better jockey that would enable them to compete better with the big guns. At the moment the best yards have the best amateurs riding for them and it compounds the problem.

[Atlantic Viking]

Making targets easier to identify is of course one side of it, the flip side is there was something in it if you took a strong view and races like the Turners helped the price to a degree by muddying the waters. Other flipsides remain to be seen, but more skipping altogether for Aintree is an obvious one and it remains to be seen if WH's pricing is just them embarrassing themselves or the shape of things to come.

[BigChaang]

The sun racing have tweeted a pic of apparent changes.

NH chase now a 0-145 novice handicap with pro jockeys allowed.

So ... does this mean all my N.H.Chase bet's are next to be refunded . ??.

[Lobos]

So ... does this mean all my N.H.Chase bet's are next to be refunded . ??.

I'd imagine so yes


.......also means Dancing City almost certainly will target the BANC now

[BigChaang]

I'd imagine so yes


.......also means Dancing City almost certainly will target the BANC now

Well that's good news ( Dancing City ) at least , for Me . .

[Hardy Eustace]

Can’t help but feel the BHA have moved from 0-60 here way too quickly.
by all means ban novices / increase number of qualifying runs in handicaps.
Why wouldn’t you try that first.
Then if that doesn’t work, then by all means consider less graded races but at least try that first.
Madness.

[BuckingThe Trend]

With the change to the Turners likely to push Ballyburn to the Arkle plus the very positive news from Nicky's yard about Constitution Hill possibly pushing Lossiemouth back to the Mares I am thinking this presents a very nice Day One treble of Ballyburn (Arkle), Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle) and Lossiemouth (Mares Hurdle). Risks involved for sure but feels like the latest news are making these races more likely for each of them.

[Lobos]

Well that's good news ( Dancing City ) at least , for Me . .

........or maybe Stayers

[Lobos]

With the change to the Turners likely to push Ballyburn to the Arkle plus the very positive news from Nicky's yard about Constitution Hill possibly pushing Lossiemouth back to the Mares I am thinking this presents a very nice Day One treble of Ballyburn (Arkle), Constitution Hill (Champion Hurdle) and Lossiemouth (Mares Hurdle). Risks involved for sure but feels like the latest news are making these races more likely for each of them.

Every possibility

[Kautostar]

Do we really need a 0-145 NHC handicap as well as the Kim muir?

[Kautostar]

Hills have opened their TWAR markets Lobos

[Benjy23]

Do we really need a 0-145 NHC handicap as well as the Kim muir?

I think this is why they've gone professionals NHC isn't it. Make them a little different. And novices of course.

Would five races a day go down lack a sack of shit?

[Killiney]

The NHC has in my opinion suffered from confused thinking in recent years. The need to make it safer led to not only a reduced distance, changes to qualifying rules for the entries and changes to the number of races amateurs need to qualify. What Jackie Moon said about big stables having a monopoly on the best amateurs is true but is in my opinion only part of the story. The number of riders eligible to ride has dropped significantly and has in part led to the race becoming uncompetitive. As the oldest race at Cheltenham it’s such a shame that rather than address the issues caused by the authorities they have dodged them and opened it to professionals. Putting aside my betting hat for a moment, I for one regret what is happening.