Cheltenham Festival changes announced by the Jockey Club

The Jockey Club has announced a number of changes that will be made ahead of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

A better racecourse experience for customers is at the centre of the Cheltenham Festival changes for 2025, with organisers looking to deliver increased value for money and more competitive action.

The biggest shake-up is to the National Hunt Cup, the oldest race at the Cheltenham Festival. In 2025, the race will no longer be confined to amateur jockeys and will be staged as a novice handicap.

Two more additional handicaps will take place at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival in an attempt to ensure more quality across other races during the week.

Cheltenham Festival list of changes

• The Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase has been replaced with a Grade 2 novice handicap chase.
• The National Hunt Chase will become a novice handicap and is now open to amateur and professional jockeys.
• The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will be staged as a limited handicap.
• The Grade 2 Mares' Novices' Hurdle will be held without penalties.
• Race experience in non-novice handicaps has been increased to four chase runs and five hurdle outings.
• Any winner of a Pertemps series qualifier is guaranteed a place in the final at the Cheltenham Festival, as long as they meet the handicap requirements at the declaration stage.
• The prize money across the Cheltenham Festival will increase by £115,000 to £4.93million.
• Changes to the running order of Cheltenham Festival races are still to be announced.
• Ticket prizes have been frozen and a new park and ride service will be opened for Cheltenham Festival racegoers.

Matt Gibbs

• Cheltenham Racecourse
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