'It hasn't been fully thought out' - Snowden voices frustration over BHA rule

Jamie Snowden has voiced his frustration at the lack of opportunities for higher-rated hurdlers to switch to fences over the summer following a new rule brought in by the BHA last month.

The rule means horses are able to run in handicap chases off their same hurdles rating without needing to have previously run in a novice chase or handicap. However, it does not apply to Class 1 or 2 races.

There are no weight-for-age novice chases in July or August, meaning all novice chasers would be required to run in a handicap. The Lambourn trainer argues these races are less suitable for hurdlers rated over 140, who would have to carry big weights for their first experience over fences.

"A new rule came in on May 1 which allowed you to use a horse's hurdle mark in handicap chases without running in a novice chase or a novices' handicap," the Lambourn trainer said. "It's a good rule for those rated under 130, but not for those better-rated horses over 140.

"It's frustrating that there are no weight-for-age novice chases in July or August. If you have a higher-rated hurdler that you think has reached its peak in handicap races over hurdles, then the obvious thing is to go chasing.

"But higher-rated hurdlers that might not be natural chasers would end up carrying more weight in a novice handicap chase. If you aren't going to be a better chaser then there's less places to run the horse, you'd have to stick over hurdles.

"Novice handicap chases tend to suit unexposed horses going over a fence but if you're a totally exposed hurdler – and not likely to progress over fences – then you're removing an avenue for that horse to win more races."

Ga Law: stable star for trainer Jamie SnowdenCredit: David Davies (Getty Images)

The Lambourn trainer added: "It hasn't been fully thought out. We're in the fortunate position to have a few in the 140-plus category, but we simply can't run them.

"Surely the programme book needs to cater for better horses as well as low-grade racing during the summer? We need to incentivise people to want better horses and better racing."

A BHA spokesperson said: "In the interest of creating a more competitive and flexible novice chase programme it was agreed, in consultation with the NTF, that the majority of [and in fact, all through July and August] weight-for-age novice and beginners' chases would be replaced with Class 3 open novice handicap chases.

"There are several of these such races in July and August over a variety of different distances."

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