Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Native River has been named the top-rated jumps horse for the 2017-18 season today according to the Anglo-Irish Classifications. The Colin Tizzard trained chaser was awarded his mark of 176 thanks to his memorable win at Prestbury Park which saw him get the better of Might Bite in a classic duel.
The annual end of season ratings sees the best of Ireland and the UK ranked for their performances for the past campaign by handicappers from both countries and it is Native River who comes out a pound clear of Champion Chase hero Altior (175).
Might Bite may have come out on the wrong side of the Gold Cup argument but a stellar season which saw the Nicky Henderson trained chaser win the King George at Kempton and the Bowl at Aintree is enough to see him awarded a rating of 172.
Other notable marks include Footpad (166) who has the highest the rating for a novice chaser thanks to his flawless season, with RSA Chase winner Presenting Percy a pound back on 165.
Champion Hudle winner Buveur D'Air maintains his crown at the head of the two mile division on 166, with Faugheen rolling back the years at Punchestown to earn a mark of 169 in the stayers division thanks to a stunning return to form at Punchestown,
There were no surprises when it comes to the novice hurdlers with Samcro (160) clear of the field thanks to his Ballymore win at Cheltenham back in March. Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner Summerville Boy is given a mark of 156, with We Have A Dream rated exactly the same by the handicappers thanks to a thrilling win at Aintree to come out best of the juvenile hurdlers.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup winner has been awarded a mark of 176.
