To ignore amateur racing would be a strategic error for the future of the sport

The decision to remove the ‘classic’ amateur status from the National Hunt Chase now, and from other amateur races tomorrow, seems a purely short-term approach to increase the number of runners from seven to (perhaps) nine or ten. In reality it sends a very poor message regarding the future of racing.

By concentrating solely on the narrow technical criteria of making the race more enticing to bet on, you are neglecting another fundamental consideration, namely the attractiveness of amateur races themselves, the image of racing and its promotion.

Racing works so hard to improve its image, and amateur sport, made up of nothing more than passion, commitment, competition and fair play, has so many values on display that show racing in a positive light, through people who risk themselves for nothing more than a love of the horse and of competition and with no financial reward.