I am well on board with ignoring 10yr olds+ in grade one races at the festival.
However, I can also play with stats all day long.
In 20 renewals of the Ryanair, we have had 3 10yr old winners. (I could pretty much guarantee that they've not made up more than 15% of the runners in that time) So effectively outperforming all other age groups.
And 45% of winners were aged either 9 or 10.
In the last 8 renewals 50% were aged 9 or over :excitement:
2 x 10 year olds filled the places last year also.
In previous years, not many that age have tried, I think it averages roughly 1 per renewal.
In all seriousness, of all the races I'd say the Champion Chase, Ryanair and the modern stayers hurdle all probably need to have a softer approach to the hard and fast "10yr olds have no chance mantra" which I've championed on many an occasion (when it suited :highly_amused
Most importantly of all, The UK horse racing population is so short of genuine grade 1 performers at the moment then the ones that are, and have a fairly clear target, should be watched for potential value as the Irish challenge will thin out naturally as we approach the festival. Compared to the market now that is.