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High-end claimers needed for better older handicappers

Mehmas: my fancy for a fascinating and high-quality Middle Park Stakes
Mehmas: my fancy for a fascinating and high-quality Middle Park Stakes

The BHA's announcement of a revision to the weight-for-age scale came as no surprise to me as I've said in this column before that three-year-olds have too big an allowance when they meet older rivals, particularly over middle distances and further.

The narrowing of the allowances is a step in the right direction, but every professional punter out there knows an improving three-year-old is still going to beat an established older horse every day of the week, unless the older horse is particularly well handicapped.

What I feel would address the situation with all those hard-to-win-with older handicappers is a lot more high-end claimers, and I’ll tell you why.

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