John Dance: 'We're utterly transfixed on Cheltenham - the festival is a bonus'

Leading owner John Dance has argued British racing remains too fixated on the Cheltenham Festival after plans were revealed to reshape the jumps programme to help Britain compete with Ireland.

A cross-industry group, chaired by Ruth Quinn, came to a number of conclusions to help revive British jump racing after its trainers won only five races at last season's festival, compared to Ireland's 23.

Its conclusions were released on Thursday and they included the introduction of more handicaps in place of Graded races, more prize-money and fewer options for the best horses to avoid one another.

Ruth Quinn: our blueprint for British jump racing to leave behind the Cheltenham drubbing (Members' Club)

Dance, who owns top novice chaser Bravemansgame, believes one solution to prevent small fields in Graded races could be to protect the handicap mark of horses running in races off level weights.

Dance, appearing on the Racing Post's 'What A Shout' on Friday, said: "Are we too focused on the Cheltenham Festival in the UK?

"As soon as Bravemansgame won over hurdles, there was talk about what race he would run in at Cheltenham. There are a lot of targets we should be desiring to win in the interim. Then if we're still going at the festival, it's a bonus. We're utterly transfixed on Cheltenham."

Bravemansgame: a leading light for John DanceCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

On small field sizes in Graded races, Dance added: "Unless you've got a horse who is right at the top level, I think some trainers are reluctant to enter their horses in Graded races for fear they're going to blow their handicap mark by finishing closer than expected.

"That is one thing that could be changed. They could decide that a horse's mark can't be changed by the result of a race off level weights, which might encourage people to chance their arm."

Dance, who also singled out prize-money as a reason why owners might prefer to send their best horses to Ireland, said he would not be set against running some of his top talent in major handicaps.

"Look at the examples of Denman and Desert Orchid," said Dance. "Their reputations were enhanced because they won big handicaps carrying monster weights. If you're confident in your horse then it's not the worst idea in the world – winning can add to their legacy."

The Quality Jump Racing Review Group would like to see some weight-for-age races be turned into valuable, competitive handicaps and Ascot's Clarence House Chase, which was previously the Victor Chandler Handicap Chase, was mooted as a potential contender.

Nick Smith, Ascot's director of racing and public affairs, said on Friday: "The Clarence House Chase is one of many potentially high-profile Pattern related options under discussion across the wider season and no decisions have been made."

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