The Cheltenham Pageant, referred to as the head of leap racing, is present process a collection of dramatic modifications, together with changes to 5 of its 28 races and an easing of course-side consuming restrictions.
The four-day assembly in March was the topic of an in depth overview, though a lot of the on-course modifications introduced will likely be carried out in time for Cheltenham’s first fixture of the brand new season, starting on October 25.
Cheltenham’s organisers, The Jockey Membership, say the modifications will present “more competitive racing and a better experience and value for all visitors to the Home of Jump Racing”.
Race programme – All change for 5 races
Six key modifications are being made to the race programme for the 2025 Cheltenham Pageant, which takes place between March 11 and March 14 subsequent 12 months.
The Turners Novices’ Chase will likely be changed by a Grade Two restricted novice handicap chase over two-and-a-half miles, whereas the Nationwide Hunt Chase may even grow to be a novice handicap chase for horses rated 0-145, with newbie rider restrictions eliminated to permit skilled jockeys to participate.
The Glenfarclas Cross Nation Chase can also be reverting again to handicap standing, having switched to a situations race in 2016.
The penalty construction has been eliminated for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle and the Pertemps Community Closing Handicap Hurdle will now supply a assured place to all winners of collection qualifiers, offered they’re throughout the weights bracket at declaration stage.
Lastly, the variety of qualifying runs for non-novice handicaps has been elevated to 4 (from three) for chases and 5 (from 4) for hurdles.
The Jockey Membership has additionally elevated general prize cash for the Pageant by £115,000, bringing the entire to £4.93m in 2025.
Walsh: No pleasing everybody
Former prime rider Ruby Walsh says Cheltenham’s modifications won’t please everybody
Ruby Walsh, essentially the most profitable jockey of all time at The Pageant with 59 winners, was a kind of consulted in regards to the race programme modifications and expects a combined response.
He mentioned: “All the changes are geared towards making the races more competitive. The aim is to attract as many of the best horses as possible to run at the Cheltenham Festival and for them to run in the right races.
“Cheltenham is the head of leap racing and these modifications assist to keep up that.
“Of course there will be some people who think these changes go too far and there will be some who think they don’t go far enough. The important thing to remember is that those making these changes have done so in the best interests of jump racing and The Festival.”
Britain’s 14-time champion coach Paul Nicholls echoed Walsh’s sentiments and is happy with Cheltenham’s willingness to adapt, together with the potential for additional modifications sooner or later.
Coach Paul Nicholls with proprietor Sir Alex Ferguson at Cheltenham
He mentioned: “On the whole these changes sound very sensible. Everybody has different opinions and you cannot please everybody at the same time, but I think we have to try and make the racing as competitive as possible as that is what the Cheltenham Festival is all about.
“One factor I’ve been impressed with is the way in which Cheltenham Racecourse has approached the modifications by saying we are going to look and see what impact they’ve within the years forward after which possibly overview once more – it’s all a part of an ongoing course of. As I’ve mentioned earlier than, something which makes racing extra aggressive can solely be a great factor.”
Festival experience – Upgrades for drinking and parking areas
Consuming inside view of the observe had been closely restricted at Cheltenham
The Jockey Membership’s overview of the Pageant included session with racegoers, members, media and stakeholders, and the modifications embrace some vital developments aimed to enhance the ‘Pageant expertise’.
Course-side consuming restrictions are set to be partially lifted within the Tattersalls and Greatest Mate enclosures, with the goal of easing queues and crowding within the bar areas, with extra selection of indoor seating additionally added. Cold and warm meal offers may even be launched.
The automobile park at this 12 months’s Pageant got here in for criticism after heavy rain brought on numerous autos to grow to be caught within the muddy situations and The Jockey Membership has responded by including extra hard-standing ‘trackway’ to cowl an space the dimensions of 17 soccer pitches.
A brand new park and trip system will likely be launched with easy accessibility to Cheltenham, whereas Nationwide Specific coaches may even be out there from 20 pick-up places, doubling the variety of coaches working to the venue.
Worth – ticket costs frozen and group reductions
Cheltenham Pageant costs have been frozen at 2024 ranges
The Cheltenham Pageant’s whole attendance fell in 2024 by 11,000 on the earlier 12 months with many pointing to rising prices.
Subsequent 12 months’s Pageant ticket costs have been frozen at 2024 ranges and racegoers buying a ticket for any day of the assembly will likely be provided a 20 per cent low cost on different days, excluding Gold Cup day tickets.
As well as, teams of six individuals can save 10 per cent on tickets when reserving collectively.
Ian Renton, The Jockey Membership’s managing director of Cheltenham racecourse, mentioned: “As with any event of this size, it is never possible to make changes which are welcomed by everyone.
“Nonetheless, we’ve prioritised listening to our racegoers to place them and their experiences on the coronary heart of The Pageant, with the last word aim of delivering one thing that not solely meets however exceeds expectations.”
