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In Ireland College Boy (owned by JP) won a 47-65 Handicap by 2 1/2 lengths and got +5 "only", which is pretty amazing in itself for Ireland. He then probably not surprisingly goes on to win another 47-65 Handicap by 1 3/4 lengths and gets +13. Oh, the handicapper misjudged it first time
A horse of friends of mine got +5 for being 2nd only! And, not surprisingly struggled after.
In defense of the handicapper, the first race won by College Boy was poor. That said some horses get hit excessively and as you say struggle after. It wouldn’t be so bad if the handicapper drops them equally quickly, but this seldom happens
The 5lb the horse was raised was a penalty, the 13lbs will be the increase by the handicapper for the first win.
The horse was run quickly to keep ahead of the handicapper.In my experience handicappers do a good job and are right far more times than people who criticise them, particularly owners and trainers.
In my experience handicappers do a good job and are right far more times than people who criticise them, particularly owners and trainers.
As one of the BHA handicappers once said to me "the day trainers stop phoning me and complaining is the day I start questioning if I’m doing it right."
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