Timeform's Highest Rated Chasers (since 1948)

[edgt]

Irish Grand National 1964 was the specific race where two handicaps were set.
Runner up Height Of Fashion won a Punchestown handicap carrying 12 stone next start, having carried 9/7 or 9/9 when runner up at Fairyhouse.
Reference also the Gallagher Gold Cup November 1965 when Arkle carried 12/7, won by 20 lengths, Mill House with 11/5 a further four lengths behind with course record broken by 17 seconds which still stands.

 

[Maruco]

There's no concrete evidence really but there were no French breds around in those days and the horse volume was much lower. So it stands to reason the chances of a sub par sort of late 150s winner - a Lord Windermere or a Cool Ground would have been more likely then than it is now.

I think that's a very good point Euro and one I'd never considered before. The talent comes from a much deeper pool these days, as does the likelihood of the very best horses being trained to the minute.

I've always been open to persuasion on Arkle and Flyingbolt's ratings over the years without feeling as though I could definitely argue for or against. But over the last few years I think I've edged towards the ratings being wrong, and am more of the opinion they are more like Kauto and Denman, just from a different era where the margins were more exaggerated. Whether their ratings mean they shouldn't occupy those two spots in a league table is another thing altogether though.