- This topic has 5 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 17 years, 4 months ago by
.
- Posts
can anyone tell me how sandowns scilly isles chase still gets grade one status? its recent roll of honour is lamentable to say the least
It is the only British race in the calendar, 2m4f Nov Chase, Grade 1. I suppose that helps keep its status, whatever the average ratings are.
It would help if the prize money was increased.
It would also help if the Dr PJ Moriarty (mentioned in another thread) Nov Chase wasn’t held at Leopardstown 8 days later. Not only does it provide a reason for Irish horses not to bother to come over, but it also has 4 or maybe 5 British entries.
It is the only British race in the calendar, 2m4f Nov Chase, Grade 1. I suppose that helps keep its status, whatever the average ratings are.
It would help if the prize money was increased.
It would also help if the Dr PJ Moriarty (mentioned in another thread) Nov Chase wasn’t held at Leopardstown 8 days later. Not only does it provide a reason for Irish horses not to bother to come over, but it also has 4 or maybe 5 British entries.
I am not right in thinking that there is gonna be a grade 1 chase at Aintree over the same trip from this year? As for the PJ Moriarty detracting from the entry, very few Irish horses come over for races away from the Festival or Aintree anyway, so I doubt it does it any damage and how many British runners over the year have gone over to Leopardstown?
The biggest problem with the Scilly is that its pretty close to Cheltenham for a grade 1 race and is usualy run on soft ground or worse which means trainers don’t want to bottom them out so close to it. Also it falls between 2 stools in terms of trip so again they tend at that stage to want to give a horse a more specific trial.
Should it still be a grade 1 is debateable, probably not to be honest especially when the Bula hasn’t been upgraded back to grade 1 and is now a mini Stayers Hurdle. Maybe it should be moved to the same day as the Tolworth and they should put a bonus on for it.Stan,
The Aintree race over 2m 4f is a Grade 2 worth £80,000, although it’s being run with Grade 1 conditions at level weights, no penalties for previous Group race wins. No surprise if it achieves Group 1 status after the mandatory three year assessment of the quality of runners.
Cheers for that. It kind of makes sense too as it is a distance that is not catered for at the Festival for novices, though there is the Fairyhouse race over Easter that could affect it.
I would downgrade this and upgrade the Independent Newspaper Nov Chase at the Open meeting to Grade 1 status.
The Scilly Isles did however produce one of the most impressive performances that I’ve seen by a novice when Best Mate won, I can still picture the awesome/effortless turn of foot that he showed on bottomless ground.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.