Sam Waley-Cohen: National Hunt Chase changes are sensible and well considered

Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George VI Chase-winning amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen on Monday described the BHA and Jockey Club's decision to shorten the distance of the National Hunt Chase by just under two furlongs, among a range of changes to the conditions, as a sensible and well considered response to "a race that did need looking at".

The amateur riders' novice chase at the Cheltenham Festival has lost its four-miler tag – dropping to 3m5f 201yds from 3m7f 147yds – with stricter qualifying criteria for runners and riders enforced in the hope of allaying welfare concerns.

The revised race conditions will be in place from next year with the number of fences reduced to 23 from 25, while amateurs must have ridden at least 20 times under rules, including a minimum of five winners over fences, to qualify.

Horses must have a minimum official rating of 120 – in line with the Grade 1 novice chases at the meeting – with the new conditions a result of a review and consultation process, during which the Jockey Club's team at Cheltenham worked with the BHA to analyse ten years of race data and gather participant input.

In this year’s renewal, won by the Jamie Codd-ridden Le Breuil, there were four finishers from a field of 18, with nine runners falling or unseating their rider and five pulling up, while the previous year there were six finishers from 16 runners.

Sam Waley-Cohen: steered Tricky Trickster to victory in the National Hunt Chase in 2009Credit: Mark (& Gerry) Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Waley-Cohen, who won the race on Tricky Trickster in 2009, said: "On the back of last season’s running the race did need looking at and it’s absolutely right that it remains an amateur riders’ race. It’s a sensible and well-considered response to a race that was getting the wrong sort of publicity.

"It was one of those races this year that was a massive endurance challenge on soft ground in such a competitive contest.

"Asking a horse to give you everything on soft ground over a long distance is a challenge for any horse but the jockeys in it were incredibly experienced."

Horses must also have run in at least two chases and finished in the first four in a chase staged over 2m7½f or further, and ran at least once in a chase during the current season to meet the new criteria.

Two-time race winning jockey Codd said: “The authorities obviously wanted to change something and on the face of it, the adjustments seem fine.

“It's a little bit of a shame for the history of the race that we've lost some of the distance but it shouldn't impact things too much.

“It's a pity it's going to affect some of the young riders competing but the authorities obviously felt changes were needed towards different elements of the race.”

Ballyward suffered a fatal fall in front of the Best Mate Enclosure in March, while stewards suspended four jockeys for a total of 37 days after deeming the riders to have continued to race “contrary to the horse’s welfare” and used the whip when their mount was showing no response.

Sir Anthony McCoy described the stewards’ decision as “embarrassing” with amateur Declan Lavery having his ten-day ban overturned on appeal.

In the most recent renewal, eight of the 18 runners would not have qualified under the new race conditions, including the three other finishers bar Le Breuil. The majority of those who would fail to meet the new criteria had not finished in the first four of a chase over 2m7½f or further.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Le Breuil, said: “When we’re faced with a bit of an issue like we were after the National Hunt Chase in March, we have to look to be doing something proactive and I’m delighted it’s remained an amateur riders’ race.

“I don’t hold the amateurs on board responsible at all that day and the culmination of very soft ground over four miles took a lot of getting.

"The drop in trip is the major change but it’s still going to be a stayers’ race and I’m pleased the main essence of the race remains.

“It’s not going to be an awful lot different but hopefully what’s been done will help.”

In 2018 winning rider Patrick Mullins received a six-day ban for overuse of the whip, while Mossback was fatally injured when falling on the final circuit.

Following that renewal, the BHA’s review of the festival raised concerns about the race, stating “amateur participation in its current form at future festivals will be under material threat should further incidents occur.”

Mullins’ father Willie, a dual winner of the race as a trainer and jockey, said: “I'm sure the changes will be a big help and anything that helps to keep the race is good for the game.

“In terms of the requirements for horses competing in the race, what has to be done will be done.”

National Hunt Chase – last five runnings

2019 18 runners 4 finishers – won by Le Breuil
2018 16 runners 6 finishers – won by Rathvinden
2017 18 runners 10 finishers – won by Tiger Roll
2016 20 runners 8 finishers – won by Minella Rocco
2015 17 runners 12 finishers – won by Cause Of Causes

45: percentage of horses to have finished the race since 2015

The amateur riders’ event has a high-quality honour roll in recent years, including subsequent dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, Aintree third Rathvinden, 2017 Gold Cup second Minella Rocco and three-time festival winner Cause Of Causes.

Derek O'Connor, a representative of the Irish Amateur Jockeys Association and two-time winning rider, said: "The National Hunt Chase is one of the races you dream about winning when you become an amateur jockey, it’s one of the pinnacles of our season.

"The changes that have been made may mean some riders have to get more experience than they would previously, but that’s no bad thing and overall the new requirements look pretty fair."

Jonjo O’Neill, the leading trainer in the race’s 159-year history with six wins – including with Minella Rocco in 2016, echoes O’Connor’s views.

O’Neill said: “Anything to make a race safer has to be a positive. I’m not sure the drop in distance by two furlongs will make too much difference, but every little helps on the welfare front and it’s a good move.”

The changes

Distance

• The National Hunt Chase will be run over about 3m6f (3m5f 201y) from 3m7f 147y
• The number of fences jumped will reduce from 25 to 23.

Horses

• All horses must have a minimum BHA rating of 120 to participate – in line with the Grade 1 novice chases at the meeting. (no minimum rating previously; 109-rated All Kings – pulled up in 2018 – was the lowest-rated runner in the last five runnings)
• Horses must have run in at least two chases and finished in the first four in a chase over an extended 2m7½f or further (only previous requirement was the horse was a novice chaser)
• Horses must have run at least once in a chase during the current season

Jockeys

• All jockeys riding in the National Hunt Chase must have ridden a minimum of 20 times and achieved at least five winners over fences (previously required a Category B – which requires 15 rides under rules or 20 rides in point-to-points – or Ireland’s Category C Qualified Riders permit – requiring 20 rides. One amateur – Matthew Fleming – would not have qualified this year)
• All qualifying rides must come in races under rules (therefore excluding point-to-point races)

The new race conditions will be reviewed after the 2022 running to examine whether they are working effectively.

Ian Renton, regional director for Cheltenham and the south west at the Jockey Club, said: "After the festival this year, we felt it was important to review the National Hunt Chase as part of our commitment to ensuring the highest welfare standards for participants at the home of jump racing.

"These changes are designed to improve safety for novice chasers and amateur jockeys, while ensuring the National Hunt Chase remains a highly competitive spectacle that has a place within the world’s best four days of jump racing.”

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