The Changes?

These were the changes for 2025/26 (with my view in brackets), written February 2026.

1. The 2m 4f Turners (Golden Miller) Novices’ Chase replaced by a Grade 2 Limited Novice Handicap Chase over the same distance. (Those that would have taken part in the Arkle or Brown Advisory version did not turn up as people assumed they would. It was a 5 runner Arkle and a 6 runner Brown Advisory. Springwell Bay top weight here off 154. Had got 9lb for winning a course h'cap chase on Jan 1st. Winner got a fine ride, Caldwell Potter RIP off 146. A competitive race but just a run of the mill novice handicap. The form's not great. The following went to Aintree or Fairyhouse, all with ratings in the 150s. Impair Et Passe, Gidleigh Park, Croke Park, Ile Atlantique, Champs Kiely. It's still a fact that the best novices rarely run in novice handicap hurdles or chases).

2. The National Hunt Chase will become a Class 2 Novice Handicap Chase (0-145), with amateur rider restrictions for jockeys removed to allow professionals to take part. (The obvious happened. Patrick Mullins and David Maxwell (on his own horse) were the only amateurs with rides. Imho should have changed the conditions back to the old 4 miler, Rith Dubh etc. It's a Festival for everyone. Good ride by Ben Jones on Haiti Couleurs but now just another novice handicap chase. Maybe they just don't want amateurs any more).

3. The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will be changed from a conditions race to a Limited Handicap. (19lbs span. No issues really. GE and Gigginstown had it a bit easy for quite some time. And if you're more than 15lbs out of the handicap you don't get a run. Not sure of the need for that on this turning course.).

4. The race conditions for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle will be changed to remove the penalty structure, resulting in a level weights contest. (Never noticed the difference so it must have been fine).

5. From 2023 any horse finishing in the first four of a qualifying race for the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle has been eligible for the race at The Festival. From 2025 the race conditions will be altered to provide a guaranteed run in the Pertemps Final for all winners of series qualifiers (provided they are within the weights at declaration stage). (Yes, good idea, might get a qualifier winner winning the final. Very accommodating sponsors who continue to do a fantastic job of supporting NH Racing in these islands. And the winner always wears a tongue tie).

6. In 2024 horses must have run at least three times (chases) or four times (hurdles) to be eligible to run in non-novice handicaps at The Festival. From 2025, this was increased to four chase and five hurdle runs. (No issue, as Ruby says, novices should run against novices. Mind you, the Irish still won four of the five last year, Willie with two).

7. The Jockey Club increased prize money over the four days by £115,000, taking the total on offer at the Cheltenham Festival to £4,930,000 in 2025. (They probably don't have the cash but not enough imho. Should increase all prize money to levels that these races are hard to turn down for any owner or trainer. Therefore, no handicaps should go unfilled, no one should consider the Newbury Hurdle, the Imperial Cup, Aintree, Fairyhouse or Punchestown a better financial incentive).

8. The feature race every Festival Day will be no sooner than the 5th race each day and to go off at 4pm. (Loved this, had been shouting about it for years. Build to the crescendo).

9. The 2026 programme changes. (I don't know. Tuesday was the day when you tried to get in front of the bookies with a few short priced trebles. It is now the day with the four handicaps. Races 3,4,6 and 7. Three of those races are chases between 2m 5f and 3m 6f. I hear of novices being entered for all three. Seems a bit of a samey day? I hope I'm wrong. Also the Ryanair and the Stayers have swapped positions on Thursday. I like the Stayers, to me it's the big race of the day. Personally would like them to let the programme bed in for a few years).

FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

I bought early this year. Got the Wednesday ticket at half price. Can't complain about that. Looking forward to it. Don't care how much a burger and a pint will cost. It's my holiday. Let's not go over old ground. Have fun.