Without disclosing his individual decisions, which will be announced at the weights lunch today, Smith elaborated on how the National has developed in his time.
“This year’s median rating is 137, which is yet another rise,â€ÂÂ
I can’t understand why Smith takes such pride in figures he fudges year from year. It’s no surprise the median figure is far higher than it was 10 years ago. Gold Cup horses like Hedgenhunter and Exotic Dancer will likely to be burdened with low 160 ratings rather than the likes of 169/175 marks that Suny Bay and Master Oats were asked to carry.