Cheltenham Festival to remain over four days

The Jockey Club has announced the Cheltenham Festival 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.

“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.

Bookmaker reaction to the decision was positive.

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.”