The Cheltenham Pageant, often known as the head of leaping racing, is present process a collection of big adjustments, together with changes to 5 of the 28 races and an easing of ringside ingesting restrictions.
March’s four-day assembly is the topic of an intensive evaluation, though a lot of the course adjustments introduced can be carried out in time for the opening race of the brand new season at Cheltenham on October 25.
Cheltenham organizers Jockey Membership stated the adjustments would “ship extra aggressive racing and a greater expertise and worth for all guests to the house of Soar Racing”.
Recreation plan – all 5 video games modified
The 2025 Cheltenham Pageant can be held from March 11 to 14 subsequent yr and there can be six main adjustments to the competitors programme.
The Turner Novices’ Chase can be changed by a two-and-a-half-mile Grade 2 restricted Novices’ Handicap, whereas the Nationwide Hunt Chase may also change into a Novices’ Handicap for horses rated 0-145, with novice rider restrictions lifted to permit skilled jockeys to take part .
Grey Daybreak wins Turner Novice Chase at Cheltenham
The Glenfarclas Cross Nation Chase may also return to handicap standing after being transformed to a situations race in 2016.
The penalty construction for the Ryanair Mares Novice Hurdle has been eliminated, whereas the Pertemps Community Ultimate Handicap Hurdle will now provide a assured spot to all winners of the collection qualifiers, offered they’re inside the weight vary for the declaration stage.
Lastly, the variety of {qualifications} for non-novice jumpers has been elevated from 3 to 4, and the variety of hurdles has been elevated from 4 to five.
The Jockey Membership has additionally elevated the pageant’s complete prize cash by £115,000, taking the overall for 2025 to £4.93 million.
Walsh: Cannot please everybody
Former high rider Ruby Walsh says Cheltenham adjustments will not please everybody
Ruby Walsh, the pageant’s most profitable ever jockey with 59 wins, was amongst these consulted concerning the adjustments to race plans and anticipated a combined response.
He stated: “All of the adjustments have been made to make the racing extra aggressive. The goal is to draw as most of the finest horses as doable to the Cheltenham Pageant and get them in the precise races.
“Cheltenham is the head of leaping racing and these adjustments assist preserve that.
“After all, there can be those that assume these adjustments go too far and there can be those that assume these adjustments do not go far sufficient. The essential factor to recollect is that those that make these adjustments accomplish that in the perfect pursuits of Leaping.” and festivals.
Paul Nicholls, the 14-time British champion coach, agrees with Walsh’s sentiments and is happy with Cheltenham’s willingness to adapt, together with the potential for additional adjustments sooner or later.
Coach Paul Nicholls with boss Sir Alex Ferguson at Cheltenham
He stated: “General, the adjustments sound very wise. Everybody has completely different opinions and you’ll’t please everybody on the similar time, however I feel we’ve to attempt to make the sport as aggressive as doable and that is what Chelsea do What Tenham Pageant is all about.
“One of many issues that impressed me was the best way Cheltenham Racecourse handled these adjustments, they stated we’ll see what impression they’ve over the subsequent few years after which perhaps evaluation it once more – it is all an ongoing course of a part of.
Pageant expertise – Beverage space and parking space upgrades
Cheltenham strictly limits ingesting close by of observe
The Jockey Membership’s evaluation of the pageant contains session with horse racing spectators, individuals, media and stakeholders, and adjustments embrace a variety of important developments geared toward bettering the “pageant expertise”.
Pitchside ingesting restrictions can be partially lifted at Tattersalls and Finest Mate venues, with the goal of easing queues and crowding in bar areas, whereas extra indoor seating choices are additionally being added. Cold and hot meal offers may also be out there.
The Jockey Membership added extra onerous “tracks” to the automobile park at this yr’s pageant, an space equal to 17 soccer pitches, after heavy rain prompted many automobiles to get caught within the mud.
A brand new park-and-ride system can be rolled out to facilitate entry to Cheltenham, whereas Nationwide Categorical bus providers can be out there at 20 pick-up factors, doubling the variety of buses to the situation.
Worth – fare freezes and group reductions
Cheltenham Pageant costs frozen at 2024 ranges
Complete attendance on the 2024 Cheltenham Pageant was 11,000 decrease than the earlier yr, with many pointing to rising prices.
Ticket costs for subsequent yr’s pageant have been frozen at 2024 ranges and horse racing spectators who buy tickets for any day of the race will obtain a 20% low cost on different dates, excluding Gold Cup day tickets.
Moreover, teams of six can save 10% on ticket prices when reserving collectively.
Ian Renton, managing director of Jockey Membership Cheltenham Racecourse, stated: “As with every occasion of this scale, it’s not possible to make adjustments that everybody will welcome.
“Nonetheless, we prioritize listening to horse racing spectators, placing them and their experiences on the coronary heart of the pageant, with the final word goal of delivering one thing that not solely meets however exceeds expectations.”
