THE generally held opinion that National Hunt racing is the sport of the small man has taken a few knocks in recent years. Over jumps, big-spending owners are dominating the top races. And that was before the average for a three-year-old store horse reached over €50,000 this week.

The Royal meeting at Ascot may attract the elite thoroughbreds and the breeding dynasties of the world but an analysis of the winners from the two big festivals of each section of the sport make for interesting comparisons.