'A win-win situation' - trainers urged to embrace optional claiming handicaps

Owners and trainers are being urged by the BHA to consider running more horses in optional claiming handicaps, with the Mick Appleby-trained Star Of Southwold a prime example of the rewards the races can offer.

Owned by Middleham Park Racing, Star Of Southwold has won two claiming handicaps this season – in the process netting nearly £40,000 in prize-money, with each race worth £30,000 – but the BHA would like to see more connections taking advantage of a system that can allow horses to run off a reduced handicap mark.

"It is a win-win situation," said BHA handicapper Graeme Smith. "There's lots of good money up for grabs. More horses should be taking advantage of the opportunity to run off a lower mark. It's a great chance of winning a big pot."

Optional claiming handicaps were introduced last year in a bid to diversify the race programme and create more opportunities for horses in events that are not based solely on their handicap ratings.

They allow connections to 'buy' a mark for their runner up to 7lb lower than their official rating, with the proviso that they can then be claimed in an attempt to drive trade for older horses who have higher ratings but are not viewed as saleable commodities.

The races are open to horses aged four or older, with a mark of between 70 and 110. Should connections not wish to take any weight off their horse, they can still run, and have the option of making the horse available for claim.

Following consultation with trainers after last year's ten-race trial, the claiming prices have been revamped in an effort to encourage connections to buy a mark, but still be suitably recompensed should the horse be claimed. Connections also have the option to put in their own friendly claim.

Smith, who would like to see the races better supported, warned of the possibility of the initiative faltering if demand is not strong enough.

"I'm not saying they definitely won't be back [next year] but it's a trial and they're quite expensive to put on," he added.

Mick Appleby: 'You've got to have the right kind of horses for them'

While none of last year's winners ran off a reduced mark, from this year's four races three winners have taken advantage of the system, including Star Of Southwold.

A fan of the concept, Appleby said: "They're a good idea if you can work the system like we have with Star Of Southwold. He's good and you risk losing him, but given the money he's in for, you don't mind at that price."

When Star Of Southwold won at Pontefract, off 4lb lower than his mark of 88 – not taking into account jockey Theodore Ladd's 5lb allowance – he was available to be claimed for £31,700.

At Chelmsford, connections only took off 2lb from a mark of 91, and again Ladd was riding. Off the higher mark of 89 Star Of Southwold's claiming price rose to £44,400.

Appleby added: "If he went to the sales he'd fetch more than he was in for in the claimers. I think he's added to his value and it's good prize-money. You've got to have the right kind of horses for them."

The races could also afford trainers an opportunity to present their case that a horse is badly handicapped.

Jane Chapple-Hyam took the maximum 7lb off Unabated at Yarmouth earlier in the year, with the horse finishing last of seven. After being officially dropped 10lb, the five-year-old then won an optional claiming handicap at Chelmsford, with Chapple-Hyam again taking off 7lb.

The next optional claiming handicap will be run at Haydock next Friday.

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