Cheltenham Festival to stay the same with fifth day resisted

The Jockey Club has announced the CheltenhamFestival will remain a four-day fixture.

The continued success of the Prestbury Park showpiece meant speculation had been rife the meeting would become a five-day event from 2024 onwards.

However, following extensive consultation and analysis into the best way forward, it has been decided the best way forward is to keep the current format in place.

“At the Jockey Club we care deeply about the long-term future of our sport and its role in society. That’s a mission that enables us to think differently when making decisions,” said Ian Renton, who runs Cheltenham as managing director of the Jockey Club’s west region.

“While we explored the financial benefits and an opportunity to reach new audiences, we also found a number of counterpoints to this. For example, it is clear that it would be challenging from a turf management perspective, without further work on the track, and on balance we still feel 28 races over four days is the right format.

“This research allows us to do much more than simply answer the question of whether extending the Festival is the right thing to do. We will now evaluate all the insight with a view to improving our facilities, investing in new on-course activations and giving our fanbase, participants, owners and other stakeholders the best possible experience at Cheltenham Racecourse.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has taken part in this process and have welcomed the opportunity to listen to racehorse owners, participants, Jockey Club colleagues, the local community, our partners, loyal racing fans and many others with a passion for our sport and the Festival.”

Nicky Henderson has backed the decision to keep the Cheltenham Festival over four days, despite having initially supported the calls for a five-day meeting.

Having taken part in the Jockey Club’s consultation process, Henderson – who has had 72 winners at the Festival – feels the fixture is so good as it is there is no real need to tinker any further with it.

The Seven Barrows trainer, who has won eight Champion Hurdles, six Champion Chases and two Gold Cups, says the “logical” decision has been reached.

“I think it is probably the right decision,” said Henderson.

“I was one of the ones in favour of the (five days) idea, but I think the more you think about it they’ve made the right decision.

“It’s so good as it is. I saw some pros and cons to it either way. I’m really not desperately fussed, but having said that I sort of was leaning on it thinking if we had six races a day, you didn’t need to start until 2pm and then you don’t dilute the product.

“Bear in mind it is not compulsory to go, it is for us trainers but not for everybody else!

“I do see the logic and I probably would say yes, it’s the right decision.”

Willie Mullins, the Festival’s winning-most trainer, echoed those sentiments.

He said: “I think it is a good decision to keep it compact and tighter and I’m very happy that is the decision they have come to.”

On the logistical challenges a five-day Festival would have potentially brought, Mullins added: “There’s pros and cons. Five days would make it easier for us getting horses and staff over and back – I would imagine if they went to five days there would be less races per day, so it might have been easier.

“But I think the best decision has been made at this point in time for the meeting, it’s great they have come out and put everyone’s mind at rest about what is happening, so we welcome that decision.”

Gordon Elliott only celebrated his first Festival winner in 2011 yet has already notched up 33 at the meeting.

He was comfortable with a decision either way, saying he would be there however many days it lasted.

“To be honest, if it’s on four days, it’s on four days – we can’t change it,” said Elliott. “If it was on seven days I’d be there seven days, so it’s not going to change things either way. If it was on 10 days in a row I’d be there 10 days.”

Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, another major player at the Festival, said he was “delighted” the meeting would be staying as it was.

William Hill spokesperson Tony Kenny said: "In a time when horse racing appears to be suffering in terms of field sizes and competitiveness, it is great news to hear the Jockey Club has decided to promote those two issues by continuing their flagship Festival with four days instead of increasing it to five.

"Surely nobody wants to see the quality of the Cheltenham Festival's 28 races diluted. We are fully behind the decision and, like many, already looking forward to March."

BetVictor's Sam Boswell added: "Staying at four days seems a sensible choice from the Jockey Club. This ensures the Cheltenham Festival remains the primary focus for punters rather than competing with a packed football and sporting programme that falls on the Saturday of Festival week."