Plus 10 Bonus rule change today

FROM today horses qualified for the Plus 10 bonus scheme can only win one €12,500 bonus.

The scheme, which has paid about €10 million in bonus prize money to owners and breeders in just two years, will offer an anticipated 600 opportunities to win a bonus in Ireland and Britain this year.

The rule change restricting nominated horses to one bonus win was first announced in December. In the event a horse which has already won a bonus is successful in further Plus 10 races, a bonus will not be paid.

The organisers say the rule change is the result of the success of the scheme and changes to the two-year-old race programme. In 2016, Plus 10 recorded a 10% uplift in the number of qualifying two-year-olds, while large field sizes in Plus 10 races led to races being divided due to declared runners.

A number of British racecourses also responded to demand for Plus 10 by lifting prize money to upgrade races to qualify for a bonus. This has resulted in an expansion of the scheme from its original size of 550 races – upon which the budget was based – to 600 races.

Of the 769 horses which won a bonus during 2015 and 2016, just 6% of these horses went on to win a second or third bonus. When looking at the total pool of potential Plus 10 winners from each foal crop, just 0.8% won multiple bonuses.

Limerick date

LIMERICK will stage a new flat fixture on Sunday, April 30th to replace the Sligo meeting scheduled for the same date which was cancelled due to a drainage issue at the track.

Power for Potts

GOLD Cup-winning jockey Robbie Power has accepted the job as retained rider for Alan and Ann Potts. Power won not only on Sizing John at Cheltenham for the owners but also Supasundae in the Coral Cup. However, trainer Jessica Harrington will still have first call on Power’s services. “I’m still Jessie’s number one, there’s no change on that score,” said Power.