Changing course Big changes ahead after review into Chase
AREVIEW of The Festival’s longest race has led to changes being implemented after this year’s running proved controversial.
The National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, won by the Gloucestershire-trained Le Breuil, saw three jockeys banned for a total of 37 days for continuing on tired horses.
Only four finished the four-mile contest for amateur riders and staying chasers which was run on testing ground.
Ballyward, one of the fallers, had to be put down.
In the aftermath race, the British Horseracing Authority said they were ‘extremely disappointed by the conduct of a small number of riders.’
In conjunction with Cheltenham Racecourse, the team analysed the last 10 years of the race and decided to make a number of changes.
It will now be run over a reduced distance of about 3m 6f with the number of fences reduced from 33 to 25 over a.
All horses must have a minimum rating of 120 to be eligible while other new criteria means jockeys must have ridden a minimum of 20 times and ridden at least five winners over fences.
Ian Renton, regional director for Cheltenham and the South West racecourses of The Jockey Club, said: “After The Festival we felt it was important to review the National Hunt Chase as part of our commitment to ensuring the highest welfare standards for participants at the Home of Jump Racing.
“Having done this fully, we have made some evidence-based changes to the conditions of the race and the distance over which it is run.
“This is designed to improve safety for novice chasers and amateur jockeys while ensuring the National Hunt Chase remains a highly-competitive spectacle that has a place within the world’s best four days of jump racing.”
Recent race participants include dual Grand National hero Tiger Roll and Gold Cup winner Native River.
In 1911, it was the race around which The Festival was created and developed.
The changes are supported by the Amateur Jockeys Association.
Irish representative Derek O’connor, who has won the race twice, said: “The National Hunt Chase is one of the races you dream about winning when you become an amateur jockey, it’s one of the pinnacles of our season.
“The changes that have been made may mean some riders have to get more experience then they would have previously, but that’s no bad thing and overall the new requirements look pretty fair.”