Major changes announced for 2025 Cheltenham Festival
Major changes have been announced for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival after a number of consultations.
There will be alterations both on and off the course, with changes made to race requirements and travel and bar facilities.
Ian Renton, managing director of Cheltenham, said: “As part of the process of reviewing this year’s Festival we analysed data and extensive feedback, including surveys, one-to-one meetings and focus group sessions to seek views ranging from those who come every year all the way through to people who have never visited the Festival to find out why.
“Throughout the course of this review process there have been three distinct strands which have been impossible to ignore – value for money, the need to provide the best experience possible and the competitiveness of the race programme.
“As with any event of this size, it is never possible to make changes which are welcomed by everyone.
“However, we have prioritised listening to our racegoers to put them and their experiences at the heart of the Festival, with the ultimate goal of delivering something that not only meets but exceeds expectations.”
Cheltenham Festival changes
- Turners Novices’ Chase will be replaced by a Grade Two limited novice handicap chase over two-and-a-half miles
- National Hunt Chase to become a novice handicap chase for horses rated 0-145 and open to pro riders
- Glenfarclas Cross County Chase will also move from a conditions race to a limited handicap
- All winners of series qualifiers will qualify for the Pertemps Final given they are within the weights at the declaration stage
- All entries in non-novice Festival handicaps must now run four times over fences and five times over hurdles.
- Changes to improve parking and travel
- Tickets frozen for at 2024 prices 2025
- Bar facilities will be upgraded
Analysis
Bill Esdaile is Morning Wire Racing Editor and Chairman of Square in the Air, a creative marketing and communications agency for sport and sports betting.
“For most stakeholders in the racing industry, the changes to the Turners and the Cross Country chases will be viewed positively.
“As handicaps, both should become more competitive than they have been in recent years and that will likely drive higher turnover for bookmakers as well as a better viewing experience for punters.
“These changes won’t stop Willie Mullins rocking up with a host of short-priced favourites, so don’t expect anything drastically different, but they should help balance out the four days of action.”