Rating Restrictions At Cheltenham Festival

Horses possessing an official BHB rating of less than 130 will no longer be allowed to take part in any of the four non-novice championship events at the Cheltenham festival.

Following a recommendation made by Cheltenham officials, the BHB's jump racing committee endorsed the idea last week.

Edward Gillespie, managing director at Cheltenham, explained that the directive was being put in place to protect the integrity of the festival and to prevent horses competing at a level beyond their ability.

He said: 'We have been very wary not to point the finger at any particular horse.

'It is something that we have been talking about here for a couple of years because we find it a curiosity that a horse can run in a major championship who would not get into a handicap.

'We don't think that is a particularly sensible way of framing races and once in a while it may attract a horse who is not helping the race.

'This is about protecting the integrity of the festival. It is not for the novice races ? you can find a precocious novice suddenly improving.

'Hopefully it is just one more step to prevent horses running out of their depth.

'I don't expect much opposition because I hope trainers respect what we are trying to do, which is to provide championship contenders in championship races.

'It is not an appropriate place to run a horse who is not up to championship qualification,' he told the Racing Post.

(C) PA Sport