Cheltenham gets 48-hour declarations

In a bid to give punters, bookmakers and the media “greater clarity” the British Horseracing Authority has announced that, from next year, declarations for all races at the Cheltenham Festival will be at the 48-hour stage – not just the major Championship races.

The move has been supported by the racecourse, Jockey Club Racecourses and the BHA’S racing group, which includes a representative of the National Trainers’ Federation, although it has not met with universal approval from trainers.

To ensure there are no blank spaces owing to 11th-hour injuries and changes in going, there will be two reserves in all handicaps. However, a reserve will get in a race only if an intended runner is withdrawn before 1pm the day before.

While Paul Nicholls believes having the same deadlines for all Festival races will make life easier, Nicky Henderson says it is pointless not keeping the reserve system open until the morning of the race.

“If 48-hour declarations are going to help the world that’s fine,” said the champion trainer. “But it is obvious from the races in which we already have a reserve system that people don’t pull horses out until the morning of the race. Even if a horse has a bruised foot you’ll give it 24 hours to get better.

“With the current reserve system I can guarantee there will be blank spaces and that’s a pity. It works in Ireland letting reserves in on the day so why can’t it work here? We’re bending for the BHA, they should bend for us on reserves.”