Jump Pattern Reform

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apologies if its been mentioned already but couldnt see anything off hand 

the jump pattern committee have confirmed changes for the 2022/23 season     full article available here    https://www.britishhorseracing.com/press_releases/jump-pattern-committee-update-22-23-season/
 

GRADE 3 HANDICAPS RENAMED

From 1 October 2022, all British Grade 3 Handicaps will be renamed ‘Premier Handicaps’.

The label ‘Grade 3’ has often been the cause of confusion for the sport’s customers, in terms of what role these major handicaps play within the overall framework of the Pattern. The new title is therefore considered a more appropriate description for Britain’s principal Jump handicaps, providing clearer, more logical signposting for racing’s fans.

Premier Handicaps will continue to be afforded the same Black Type status that Grade 3 Handicaps receive at present.


 

LISTED HANDICAPS DISCONTINUED

Listed Handicaps will be removed from the race programme, with those meeting the necessary criteria promoted to Grade 2 or Premier (formerly Grade 3) Handicaps and the remainder downgraded to Class 2.

This change was originally due to come into effect for the 2020/21 season, with racecourses having been given a three-year notice period, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 


 

Listed Handicaps to become Grade 2

• E.B.F. Mares’ Final Handicap Novices’ Chase (Cheltenham) – retaining its limited weight-range.

Listed Handicaps to become Premier Handicaps

• Bet365 Handicap Chase (Wetherby)
• Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Ascot)
• Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase (Wincanton)
• Gerry Feilden Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Newbury)
• Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Newcastle)
• Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Ascot)
• Skybet Handicap Chase (Doncaster)
• Swinley Handicap Chase (Ascot)
• Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase (Sandown Park)
• Midlands Grand National Chase (Uttoxeter)
• Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Ayr)

Listed Handicaps to become Class 2

• Summer Cup Handicap Chase (Uttoxeter)
• Bet With Ascot Handicap Hurdle (Ascot)
• Regulatory Finance Solutions Hurdle (Cheltenham)
• December Handicap Hurdle (Sandown Park)
• Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Kempton Park)
• Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (Ayr)
• Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham)
  
  
   

  PATTERN RACES DOWNGRADED

  As part of the normal annual review of all Jump Pattern and Listed contests undertaken by the Jump Pattern Committee, the following races have not achieved the required Pattern Race parameters and therefore, under the Ground Rules, will be downgraded automatically:

• Finale Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 1 to Grade 2 (Chepstow)
• Summit Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 2 to Listed (Doncaster)
• Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, Grade 3 to Class 2 (Chepstow)
   

  CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 HANDICAP QUALIFICATION FOR NOVICES

  From 1 October 2022, novice and juvenile horses will be required to run a minimum of four times (up from three) prior to competing in a Class 1 or Class 2 handicap hurdle race.

  Increasing the minimum number of runs from three to four gives the handicappers more information on which to base their assessment, with the aim of boosting the fairness and competitiveness of our major handicaps.

  No changes will be made to the qualification rules for Class 1 and Class 2 novice or juvenile handicap hurdle races, or to any Class 1 and Class 2 handicap steeple chases.

  NOVICE SEASON EXTENDED

  As communicated previously, hurdlers and chasers winning for the first time between 1 March and the end of the season in April will remain a novice over that code of obstacle until the end of November during the same year. This applies immediately and includes horses that won for the first time in March and April 2022.
  
  
   

  JUNIOR NATIONAL HUNT DEVELOPMENT HURDLES

  As announced earlier this year, the introduction of this new programme from Autumn 2022 aims to support the development of jump horses at a younger age.

  The race programme has now been confirmed, with further clarification around the race conditions.
  Date Racecourse Region Sex
  09-Oct Ffos Las Midlands
  15-Oct Newton Abbot South
  28-Oct Wetherby North
  09-Nov Bangor Midlands
  15-Nov Fakenham Midlands Fillies Race
  21-Nov Kempton South
  25-Nov Doncaster North
  04-Dec Huntingdon Midlands
  15-Dec Exeter South
  20-Dec Ludlow Midlands Fillies Race
  22-Dec Ayr North