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Where are all the juveniles? Chepstow demotion another sign of Irish domination

Porticello won the last Finale Juvenile Hurdle run as a Grade 1 event last December
Porticello won the last Finale Juvenile Hurdle run as a Grade 1 event last DecemberCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

It was the least surprising demotion since Norwich City’s latest biennial appearance in the Premier League.

Even Chepstow's executive director Phil Bell admitted it was no shock, for all that it was "disappointing" to lose the tracks only Grade 1 race after the BHA Jump Pattern Committee annoucned that the Finale Juvenile Hurdle is now a Grade 2 event.

Although past Finale winners have been classy, from Broadsword to Bristol De Mai, Decent Fellow to Defi Du Seuil, recent runnings have not been contested by horses rated highly enough to maintain its top-level status.

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