Statistics Don´t Lie - Golden Era for Chasers Chasers trained by Paul Nicholls continued their recent dominance at today´s Anglo-Irish Jump Awards held in London´s Cafe Royal. Denman and Master Minded both posted the highest ratings of any horse in the nine years that full Classifications have been agreed between Britain and Ireland. Denman on 182 and Master Minded on 186, both beat the previous highest rating of 180 given to Moscow Flyer in 2004-05. Denman, owned jointly by Mrs Margaret Findlay and Paul Barber and trained by Paul Nicholls in Ditcheat, Somerset, was hailed as the best chaser over three miles or more and scooped the award for Horse of the Year, joining previous recipients Kauto Star, Brave Inca, Moscow Flyer and Best Mate. Clive Smith, who took home four awards for Kauto Star´s efforts over a variety of trips the previous season, did not leave empty-handed as Master Minded, the highest rated of all horses in the Classification, was top Two Mile Chaser and Kauto Star was top Two-and-a-Half Mile Chaser. He added to that haul with Kauto Star taking the Order of Merit for the second successive season, following a neck-and-neck fight with gallant runner-up Lough Derg, trained by David Pipe and owned by William Frewen. The Irish maintained their dominance of the Champion Two Mile Hurdler category with Sizing Europe, and that could continue in the future with John P McManus´ Jered taking the title as Champion Novice Hurdler. The popular Inglis Drever regained the title of Champion Two-and-a-Half Mile+ Hurdler for trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie and they also took home the trophy for Champion Novice Chaser with Tidal Bay posting the best rating for a novice chaser since Gloria Victis in 1999-2000. The British Horseracing Authority and Irish Turf Club Awards coincide with the publication of the Anglo-Irish National Hunt Classifications. A specially-invited audience of over 200, including jump racing´s leading owners, trainers, jockeys, industry figures and media from Britain and Ireland attended the event, hosted by Clare Balding. The full list of Award winners was as follows: HORSE OF THE YEAR - Denman (182) CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLER - Jered (155) CHAMPION NOVICE CHASER - Tidal Bay (166) CHAMPION TWO-MILE HURDLER - Sizing Europe (167) CHAMPION TWO-MILE CHASER - Master Minded (186) CHAMPION TWO-AND-A-HALF MILE + HURDLER - Inglis Drever (172) CHAMPION TWO-AND-A-HALF+ MILE CHASER - Kauto Star (176) CHAMPION THREE-MILE + CHASER - Denman (182) The formal presentations for the Order of Merit saw ?300,000 of prizes handed out. Voy Por Ustedes claimed ?25,000 for third place, Lough Derg collected ?75,000 for second place, and Kauto Star´s overall prize was ?200,000. Each of the amounts was split 75% to the owner, 12.5% to the trainer and 12.5% to the stable team behind each horse. BHA Chairman Paul Roy said: "After the season we have just had, it is good to sit back and take it all in again at an awards ceremony like that. It really wouldn´t be an overstatement to say that we are in a golden era for jump racing. "Via the major festivals the spirit of competition between the Irish and British is alive and well, and jumping fans on both sides of the Irish Sea have enjoyed a memorable season." Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee Senior Steward John Moloney said: "National Hunt racing continues to flourish on both sides of the Irish Sea and we are again delighted to co-host these prestigious Awards. Events like this help cement the relationship between racing people in both countries which is hugely important." tigious Awards. Events like this help cement the relationship between racing people in both countries which is hugely important.?
