Cheltenham festival changes for 2025

I think they are largely positive,, particularly the changes to the novice chases - should encourage more competition in the arkle and whatever the 3m1f chase is called these days.
 
They're basically sacrificing competitive handicaps that fill (too many now obv) in an effort to enhance the Browns and Arkle. No problem with this on my end.
 
I agree with the downgrading of the Turners race, but did both it and the NH Chase have to become handicaps?

Why does the cross country chase need to become a handicap again? The festival should be about identifying the best in each branch of jump racing and giving them their chance to shine. The argument that a lot of winners start at short prices should have nothing to do with it. By that logic horses like Constitution Hill are bad for the sport.
 
The downgrading of the 4 miler saddens me -it is a part of the sports heritage.The game is being hollowed out by people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing.
 
The fun of the NH chase in the olden times was the fact that runners were maidens at the start of the current season; allowing the Tiger Rolls and Corbett's Cross to run has not helped imo.
Removing the race from Amateurs is a backward step also.
Grass roots need their day in the sun as much as anyone else.
 
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