Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
Yesterday we released our strategy for the future of the fixture list and race programme. Read it in full here👉 bit.ly/4bUKnUL
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Steven Powell
8.1K posts
Steven Powell
@StevenPowell89
Racecourse Commentator & Broadcaster
Lincolnshire, England เข้าร่วม Ekim 2011
1.4K กำลังติดตาม2.6K ผู้ติดตาม
@alanjohnsy It is pretty straightforward to get bends surveyed to ensure the optimum radii. Fakenham did the entire track after some issues two seasons ago & have had no problems since.
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Suggested line. Horses can’t go out and turn in tight and hit the apex like in motor racing at this juncture in a race as if someone appeared on your inside you would have allow them space. They would then carry you wide after the bend.
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No wonder the bend before 2 out on the Chase course was riding tight, virtually a 90 degree turn. Surely the rails should cut the corner more to allow a much smoother turn?
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
Following the abandonment of our fixture on Thursday 12th March and subsequent discussions with the BHA, we are grateful to be given the opportunity to stage The BK Racing Hexham Marathon 4m Handicap Chase at our next meeting on Wednesday 25th March.
Entries for this meeting open at 8am on Thursday, the current going is Good to Soft, Soft (in places).
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
Hard not to be dismayed by what has become of the great race. I’m all for the welfare measures that have been implemented, but these dressed up brush hurdles just encourage horses to go at speed over distance, rather than respect the fences. Just as dangerous, if not more so.
simon barker@simonbarker17
The national fence bulid has officially started, the boys have put in a great effort today with the 12th and 11th being completed.@AintreeRaces @TheJockeyClub its hard not to start getting excited.
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
Problems afoot for Salisbury racecourse (among others) as this comparison of field sizes from 2010 to 2025 starkly illustrates.
Taken from @daverenham 's latest piece for geegeez.co.uk which I've just finished editing.
Will be up on site shortly.
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
2024 Arkle winner beats the 2025 Arkle winner in the Gold Cup.
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
In a parallel universe Cheltenham watered heavily for yesterday and the connections of Fact To File are bemoaning the fact that, having supplemented him for the Gold Cup at huge expense, he is being forced to attempt the trip for the first time in a wholly unnecessary bog.
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
Saw some at the start of the week saying Jon Pullin shouldn't have put any water on, now with Fact To File a potential NR, I've seen it suggested they should have put more on.
Tough gig.
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@HoskinsSam Yes I can see that argument but I would hope that with a Limited Handicap you couldn't be too conservative if top-rated is 150. Plus the 15lb out of handicap
eliminations would be an incentive to be high enough!
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@StevenPowell89 I’d vote against a limited handicap personally as it might encourage game playing during the season.. people might be worried to ‘expose’ their mares etc.
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Yesterday’s Champion Hurdle was another example of how the great race has been diminished by the Mare’s Hurdle. Lossiemouth (like Annie Power) not only added to the race but demolished her rivals. Only six take on Woodhoh in the Mare’s. The race needs to be scrapped (or moved).
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@HoskinsSam I think G2 0-150 Limited Handicap would be preferable personally but could live with G2 + penalties. Definitely think G1 Mares' Hurdle & Chase should be staged pre-Festival. The original intention has been achieved but tweaks needed now after 20 years.
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@StevenPowell89 @theracingforum @DizzyJB I agree Steven. For me, they may just need to tinker with it to ensure the Grade 1 mares are encouraged not to take the easy option. Perhaps the Grade 1 should be pre festival and the actual mares hurdle reverts back to Grade 2 and therefore penalties apply?
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@HoskinsSam @theracingforum @DizzyJB Both arguments are valid. The improvements of the programme undoubtedly have improved the mares' in training. I also think that top-class mares' should be in open company in Championship races. Standalone G1 Mares' races should feed into Festivals, as per the rest of the pattern
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@theracingforum @DizzyJB Almost certainly. Quevega too. The number of mares racing would be far less than if these aspirational targets weren’t in place. People buy mares now because they know that they now have options / can compete at the top stage.
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Given that Cheltenham would want to retain 28 races, converting to a G2 0-150 Limited Handicap would be my option. Same with Mares' Chase. Top-class mares' have to take on open company whilst Mares' Hurdle/Chase would be more competitive.
JB@DizzyJB
Yesterday’s Champion Hurdle was another example of how the great race has been diminished by the Mare’s Hurdle. Lossiemouth (like Annie Power) not only added to the race but demolished her rivals. Only six take on Woodhoh in the Mare’s. The race needs to be scrapped (or moved).
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
A full field of 22 for the Baring Bingham (Turners) - the largest since Galileo beat 26 opponents in 2002
A wide open race is part of it but great that the 5-run-rule in the handicap hurdles is really having a positive impact on the Gr1 novice hurdles 😃
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Steven Powell รีทวีตแล้ว
"If we can take the listener to that intimate type of experience, then all the better!" 📻
John Hunt lifts the lid on the art of Horse Racing commentary 🏇
#BBCRacing
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@CraigForsyth_ @fawwon1 He was for Dandy Nicholls. Saw the colours & got carried away!
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@Steven_Cargill @fawwon1 You are quite correct. I bow to your superior recall.
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@MikeCrolla @Davidj0hnson123 No, once the races are eligible to divide, a standard procedure is in place.
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@StevenPowell89 @Davidj0hnson123 Could they choose to not divide another race at the 48 hour stage if it meant CH made a 14 runner field?
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Surely they will split if over 14 entries 😉
Sam Morgan@sam__morgan
Willie Mullins enters Daddy Long Legs to take on Constitution Hill in the £40,000 Southwell Flat race. 26 entries currently. Max field 14.
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@tony_calvin Can't divide if PM is more than £15K, hence why only one of first three races are allowed to divide. Division preference from the three in class order, not number of entries.
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WITH Friday's Southwell race already attracting 33 entries (as at 10.15am, with a noon deadline) for a maximum field of 14, anyone know if they can divide? If they can, presumably ARC will have to cough up 40 more bags? And will Constitution Hill be the first horse balloted out?
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