How about a debate?
Do we think chasing at 4yo works in the long term?
I am edging towards no. Kauto Star is probably the best to have gone chasing at an early age, though we are now looking at over 20 years since he made his chase debut. The best since then possibly Fakir D'Oudaries who won two Melling Chases, an Ascot Chase and was 2nd in a Ryanair. Majborough has been shown up for jumping frailties and is 1 from 5 in open company, though was a wildly impressive winner of the Dublin Chase. Then we have the ill-fated Sir Gino. Sadly won't ever know how good he could of been and unfortunately we only ever saw him once over fences.
To make the best comparison I guess we need to look at those juveniles that had another season over hurdles before going chasing later in their career. Of late the obvious example for being patient is Gaelic Warrior, though equally, he was still very unexposed as a hurdler and was able to capitalise on still being a novice. Defi Du Seuil had an injury interrupted 2nd season hurdling, disappointing twice before successfully switching to fences. However, in open company, barring a fantastic 3 months where he won the Shloer, Tingle Creek and Clarence House he failed to be competitive in 5 further races and struggled with injuries. Footpad had another season over hurdles before having a fantastic novice chase campaign. However, he then struggled in open company winning just once in 6 starts and that was a listed chase. Like Gaelic Warrior, Il Etait Temps had another season hurdling as was able to take advantage of his novice status and it doesn't look to have done him any harm. Quilixios had a second season hurdling where he found Teahupoo too good on all three starts. He missed a season and switched to chasing on his return which has arguably been successful considering he has a rating of 161.
Obviously this is just my opinion which I've tried to back up and have probably missed some obvious other examples. Ultimately for me though, I don't think there is enough of late to support the case for going chasing so early, barring capitalising from the weight advantage in early season novice races. I doubt that would be the defining factor anyway when looking at the greatest potential talent.
What do you think?