How on earth can they give this an Official rating?

Agree with your point, but to be accurate, the 4th and 5th in novice hurdles in France came in double figure fields. The 4/4 and 5/5 shown in the Racing Post are testimony to the uselessness of their software.

But you're quite right, this one should be required to run in non handicap novice races at least a couple of times before being given a rating for handicaps.

Watch out for something similar with a horse called Titeuf De Tierce, now in raining with Alan King - this one has been given a chase mark of 115 on the basis of winning it's one and only race to date in France. Never ran over hurdles or on the flat.

Thanks A,
I see the horse that finished 3rd to Titeuf De Tierce, beaten 2 lengths and a short-head, but giving Titeuf 8 lbs, acquired a Racing Post rating of 97 - BUT, from it next outing when 4th in a 21K Chase... as opposed to the just 4k Chase that Titeuf won.

Literally speaking - that gives Titeuf a potential Racing Post Rating of 92 - as opposed to the BHA 115.

As they say - 'You pays yer money, and takes yer chance.'