Hunters chase thurles on Thursday

[thewexfordman]

Only 5 runners but what a field
Foxrock
On his own
First lieutenant
Salsify

Probably the best standard hunters chase field ever assembled.

However should these horses be allowed to run in hunters chases. Surely the purpose of them is to give point to point trainers their day in the sun, rather than the big boys.
I’m looking forward to the race but I can’t help thinking there is something wrong about having these grade 1 horses running in hunters chases. There were plenty of veterans races for them rather than hunters races

[Steeplechasing]

Pound for pound, would be close to the best, from memory. Doubtless records will show otherwise.

[GoldenMiller34]

I agree with you Wexfordman, it would be truer in spirit for hunters chases to be restricted to horses trained by point to point trainers. If that were the case a decision would have to be made by owners whether and when to switch any given horse to a point to point trainer (bearing in mind qualifying requirements). A stipulation would have to be brought in to prevent owners switching back and forth. The former top class horses could still run in hunters chases but only if switched and committed to that switch.

[Autumnal]

What a smashing line up, and although I agree with the sentiments above, it is a race I am looking forward to.

I would think that First Lieutenant would be very interesting at The Festival, but first and foremost I hope all those old boys enjoy themselves at Thurles.

[CharlesOlney]

This is what puts me off the Foxhunters at Cheltemham & Aintree. They’re no longer chances for the real hunter chasers to grab some glory but rather almost a veterans affair for past-it 3 mile chasers of yesterday who ran close in Gold Cup’s and the like.

[Author]

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