Cheltenham undergoes revamp

Denman: Last year's Gold Cup winner

It was apparent from the experience of last season that a greater period of build-up to the biggest races was almost universally popular.

Edward Gillespie
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Cheltenham Racecourse organisers have announced major changes to the racing schedule for The Festival next year.

Festival organisers confirmed on Tuesday that feature races, which will take place from March 10 to 13 in 2009, will now be the fourth race of the day to add more of a climatic feel to the four day event.

The Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle has been moved from the final race and becomes the second event on Gold Cup day, meaning that it will be televised on terrestrial TV the first time.

In the County Hurdle's place will be the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, while a new race - the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle - becomes the sixth race that day.

Rejuvenated

Racecourse Managing Director Edward Gillespie feels that changes had to be made after reviewing last season's event.

"It was apparent from the experience of last season that a greater period of build-up to the biggest races was almost universally popular," Gillespie said.

"On that basis, the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ladbrokes World Hurdle and totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup will be the fourth race on each day respectively, starting at 3.20pm.

"The movement of the County Hurdle away from its slot as the final race of The Festival will give Gold Cup day a different feel, but we are still ending The Festival with two ultra-competitive handicaps, so the battle between punters and bookies will still be alive until 5.15pm on the Friday."

Changes

In other changes, The National Hunt Chase continues its revamp with a new televised slot, opening the card on Wednesday, March 11, a day which will feature seven races for the first time since The Festival was extended to four days in 2005.

The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle moves up the order, from Friday to Tuesday, and the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle will be on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.

Festival prize Money for 2009 has risen to £3.59 million, an amazing average of over £138,000 for each of the 26 races.