IF only the super tough Stag Horn was the norm!

For those who missed him, the Archie Watson-trained Stag Horn made all to land Saturday's Grade 2 Ballymore Leamington Novices' Hurdle at Warwick.

He was given a peach by smiley Nick Schofield and deserved all the plaudits he got.

The success means that Stag Horn is now unbeaten in two starts over hurdles.

He's a rare breed, because Stag Horn – owned by Ben and Sir Martyn Arbib of Snurge "with the urge" fame – was pretty decent on the Flat.

The son of Golden Horn was highest rated at 108 on the level, a mark off which he finished fourth of 15 behind Stratum in a Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Not many decent Flat horses go jumping any more.

The days of Alderbrook and Kribensis, of Nomadic Way and I'm Supposin, of Royal Gait and Countrywide Flame even seem long gone. Istabraq and Make a Stand showed what you can do with less high profile runners off the level.

Most read in Horse Racing

OFFERS OF THE DAY

William Hill: Bet £10 get £30 in free sports bets – CLAIM HERE

Betfair – Get A £20 Free Bet when you place £50 worth of bets. Repeat up to 5 times for £100 Free Bets – CLAIM HERE

Paddy Power: Bet £/€20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE

Sky Bet – Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets –CLAIM HERE

William Hill: 18+. Play Safe. New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. Begambleaware.org

Betfair – New customers place £50 worth of bets to receive £20 in free bets. Repeat up to 5 times to receive maximum £100. Min odds 1.2 (1/5). Multiple bets included. Exchange bets excluded. Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org

Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £/€20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy's Rewards Club: Get a £/€10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £/€10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org

Sky Bet: NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 2 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS EXCLUDE VIRTUALS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS. FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG

The chance of injury seems the most likely reason why Flat performers have ebbed away from the National Hunt scene, although injury is something faced on the Flat as well.

Or maybe it's the development of valuable international races. The Dubai Carnival fixtures proving that point.

Or maybe it's the gradual rise of prize money on the all-weather, but countering that are continued small fields in that sphere.

OWNERS LIKE A CHALLENGE – LET'S SEE IT!

Whatever the reason it's a great shame, and on the basis most owners enjoy a challenge I would ask more of the wealthier types with many horses to consider the jumps.

As a fan a grand old National Hunt type is exciting to watch develop, but there is an equal kick from seeing a classy Flat performer jump for the first time. Most horses can jump, it's natural to them, so come on people!

Meanwhile, the old chestnut of the mares allowance has reared its ugly head again with Honeysuckle looking more and more unbeatable – with no daring late Flat supplement that is!!! – for the Champion Hurdle.

It's hard enough for her rivals without them having to give the Henry de Bromhead star 7lb.

BEST HORSES NEED TO RUN OFF LEVEL WEIGHTS

With the mares' programme stronger than ever over jumps and the allowance taken advantage of more and more on the Flat, it's clear a shift is needed.

The BHA never seem to react to this or even give an opinion, but it's time for a Premier League of equal sex weight Grade 1 and Group 1 races where horses race off levels.

The Premier Group or Grade 1s would be separate to the majority of similar events and boosted by £250,000.

Every good horse will still run, and we the racing follower will find out who truly is the fastest.

So simple. Literally a no brainier. Yeeehaaa!

FREE BETS GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE

Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org

Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org

Source: Read Full Article