The bars are about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Potential is about the only one to pay any attention too the rest are just noise and the highs and lows can be explained. Low speed for example does not mean slow horse, it may mean front runner just as full speed does not make a horse fast it more likely indicates hold up type. Remember that speed bar is as close as I can figure, an amalgamation of two actual stats you can no longer see. Potential matters everything else is a nonsense and best ignored. Potential and trials results is all.

In combined NH horses get to 100 potential later. The flat horses get to 100 earlier 3 or 4

Not at many than can do both NH and flat. It seems rare. Failed milers and sometimes sprinters ( although these don't normally work out ) can get 2 miles.

No issues with 100 potential. Most of mine get to that at some point just depends on when

I think I'll leave my flat game where it is. I need a few more horses at certain ages and distance, but that should be easy enough.

If I start a combined game, are there any suggestions for which country and schedule please?

Not sure it matters really and you can only choose from two, maybe UK as more likely to get horses with a UK course preference and more league races are in the UK. I am going Ireland but only so it is easy to tell them apart from my UK jumps game.

Jumps bred and bred to be a 2 mile hurdler

He might not be able to jump when he starts his national hunt career

But frankly my dear who gives a dam