Willie Mullins’ 100-1 Cheltenham Festival winner would have been banned under new rules brought in with immediate effect

WILLIE MULLINS’ 100-1 Cheltenham Festival winner would have been banned under new rules brought in with immediate effect.

The BHA have announced a trio of measures designed to strengthen British runners against their Irish rivals.

New rules for jumps racing would have blocked Willie Mullins’ 100-1 Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros from runningSportsfile

One of them could spark a huge shake-up in top juvenile races as now runners must have a rating of at least 110 gained from an official mark or from the handicapper after at least one hurdle run.

Mullins’ Poniros landed one of the biggest shocks in Festival history last March when winning the Triumph.

The Tony Bloom-owned horse had never run over hurdles but won the Grade 1 for juveniles on debut at 100-1.

Had the new rules been in place then, he would not have been allowed to compete.

A BHA statement read: “There are new requirements for Grade 1 Novices’ and Juvenile Hurdle races.

“Horses will only be eligible if they have been allotted a minimum rating of 110 – either through a published handicap mark or as assessed by the BHA handicapper to have to raced to that level in at least one hurdle run.

“This aims to ensure that horses competing in these showpiece contests have demonstrated a suitable level of ability over hurdles and brings these races into line with other Grade 1 contests.”

Among the other revisions are more weight-for-age novice chases and changes to the junior National Hunt hurdles programme.

With regards the latter, the races will be rolled out later this year and, among other things, allow non-winners to go back to bumpers.

Tom Byrne, BHA head of racing and betting, said: “There’s a recognition across our industry about the importance of growing the number of horses – and particularly high-quality horses – that are bred, owned, trained and raced in Britain.

“Central to this is ensuring that developmental pathways exist so that we are nurturing future talent and, over the longer-term, making sure we are competitive at the top level.

“The changes being introduced for the jumps season are primarily geared towards improving the quality of racing for our participants and customers, and giving our promising younger horses the right opportunities to help them fulfil their potential over hurdles and fences.”