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Sal, I think you are correct in saying Majed’s rating is based on his hurdling form. I don’t have a problem with the way those type of horses are handicapped, there has got to be a system, its never going to please everyone.
The area I do agree with Raymondo on; is the fact that an experienced, seasoned chased can be kept out of a race like the GN by a horse that has not raced over fences for some time. There is a minimum age limit for the race, maybe there should be an even more stringent quality threshold, and an experience threshold that all runners have to meet. It would be a nightmare to enforce, but is it right that a horse should be able to run from stones out of the handicap? Is it right that a 5yo with ten completed chases to his name can’t run…but a 9yo who has only had a few runs over fences & fell on occasions can? Is it right that Majed whose last nine races have been hurdles, should be allowed to run? I’d be saying no to those types of question.
I think if these type of controls were in place, you would get an even more competitive race, & maybe one with fewer casualties, thus making it a bit more palettable to the non-racing public.
As an aside (& honestely not Pipe bashing), maybe the trainer deliberately campaigned Majed that way (not getting him a chasing mark, knowing full well that was his only real chance of getting the horse into the race proper). A little bit sneaky, but I don’t think any rules have been broken.
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