Cheltenham Festival Announces Major Race Programme Changes

The Cheltenham Festival will experience its most significant changes in 20 years aimed at enhancing race competitiveness and improving the experience for attendees. Key alterations include replacing the Turners Novices' Chase with a Grade Two limited novice handicap chase and allowing professional riders to compete in the National Hunt Chase, which has traditionally been for amateurs. Additionally, the Glenfarclas Cross County Chase will shift to a limited handicap format, and the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle will remove its penalty structure. Ticket prices will remain frozen for 2024, alongside increased prize money by £115,000, and improved parking facilities due to new hard standing trackway. Ruby Walsh, a leading figure in jump racing, supports these changes, believing they will attract top horses and enhance the overall quality of the Festival. The changes are intended to address past criticisms regarding race predictability and attendee experience, particularly after a poorly received Festival in 2023.