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Cheltenham Festival
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Given all the whingeing beforehand about Irish horses being unfairly handicapped by Phil Smith, I thought I'd have a look at their Festival performance. The Irish won 70% of the handicaps with 26% of the entries.
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Irish handicap horses made a mockery of the lenient marks handed out by Phil Smith 
To me it's not the Irish handicapper under-rating Irish horses. It's Phil Smith and his crew over-rating British horses. The sooner he's gone the better.
Or maybe, just maybe Irish horses are just better as proven time and time again in the grade 1 races.
I don't think there is much to choose between the UK and Irish in the Grade 1 races.
However, the fiddling of the Irish makes a mockery of the handicapping. To bleat like a lamb pre the festival and to win most of the races despite a huge numerical disadvantage leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth.
Next year stick another 7lbs on all the Irish h'cappers.
However, the fiddling of the Irish makes a mockery of the handicapping. To bleat like a lamb pre the festival and to win most of the races despite a huge numerical disadvantage leaves a rather sour taste in the mouth.
Next year stick another 7lbs on all the Irish h'cappers.
I'm not surprised by the fact that they have a better strike-rate than the % of runners, but the difference is huge. I would expect that those horses are sent over are there to win, and not just for a big day out for connections, because of the effort and cost involved in sending them over
the bleating by the Irish about their handicap marks has got to stop though, this happens every time and they walk away with most of the pots. Presenting Percy a great example, wins easily despite being badly treated according to the Irish
the bleating by the Irish about their handicap marks has got to stop though, this happens every time and they walk away with most of the pots. Presenting Percy a great example, wins easily despite being badly treated according to the Irish
"Or maybe, just maybe Irish horses are just better as proven time and time again in the grade 1 races."
Or maybe, just maybe Irish horses are just better as proven time and time again in the grade 1 races.
Erm, that would explain *why* Phil Smith needs to add a few pounds.
For what it is worth, here are the Grade 1 results showing where winners were bred and who trained them. If Willie Mullins were a country ...
On breeding, honours are even: 4 GB; 5 FR; 5 IRE. On training, 9-5 to the Emerald Isle.
Erm, that would explain *why* Phil Smith needs to add a few pounds.
For what it is worth, here are the Grade 1 results showing where winners were bred and who trained them. If Willie Mullins were a country ...
| SUPREME | Labaik (FR) | Gordon Elliott |
| ARKLE | Altior (IRE) | Nicky Henderson |
| CHAMPION HURDLE | Buveur D'Air (FR) | Nicky Henderson |
| MARES | Apple's Jade (FR) | Gordon Elliott |
| NEPTUNE | Willoughby Court (IRE) | Ben Pauling |
| RSA | Might Bite (IRE) | Nicky Henderson |
| QMCC | Special Tiara (GB) | Henry De Bromhead |
| BUMPER | Fayonagh (IRE) | Gordon Elliott |
| JLT | Yorkhill (IRE) | W P Mullins |
| RYANAIR | Un De Sceaux (FR) | W P Mullins |
| STAYERS' HURDLE | Nichols Canyon (GB) | W P Mullins |
| TRIUMPH HURDLE | Defi Du Seuil (FR) | Philip Hobbs |
| ALBERT BARTLETT | Penhill (GB) | W P Mullins |
| GOLD CUP | Sizing John (GB) | Mrs John Harrington |
On breeding, honours are even: 4 GB; 5 FR; 5 IRE. On training, 9-5 to the Emerald Isle.
If the Irish felt their horses had been unfairly treated despite their winning consistently might I suggest they come over prior to Cheltenham and run in at least two handicapped races?
......... The most important part of a trainers job is to get them to peak in March.
"Or maybe, just maybe Irish horses are just better as proven time and time again in the grade 1 races."
What would be the point of handicaps if the best horses always won them? The handicapping system is supposed to create a level playing field. You do have a point though. Phil Smith and his crew have been over-rating British horses for years.
What would be the point of handicaps if the best horses always won them? The handicapping system is supposed to create a level playing field. You do have a point though. Phil Smith and his crew have been over-rating British horses for years.
Phil Smith and his crew have been over-rating British horses for years
correct
"ratings creep" they call it
for clarity, that's when the horse population average ratings increases over time, not phil smith
correct
"ratings creep" they call it
for clarity, that's when the horse population average ratings increases over time, not phil smith
http://www.britishhorseracing.com/cheltenham-festival-2017-head-handicapping...
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