Cheltenham Festival race cancelled as organisers forced to change schedule on day two

Cheltenham Festival race cancelled as organisers forced to change schedule on day two

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Cheltenham race cancelled on day two of festival

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 13/03/2024

- 09:18

The schedule for Wednesday's racing has now changed following an abandonment

The Cross-Country Chase at Cheltenham has been cancelled due to a waterlogged track, forcing organisers to change the festival's schedule.

The race will not be rescheduled later this week as was previously hoped following heavy rain in Gloucestershire.


The Cross-Country Chase was set to take place at 4.10pm on Wednesday but an early-morning inspection ruled the track 'unraceable'.

There will now be one less race on the second day of the festival, with the action now not starting until 1.45pm.

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival: Organisers have cancelled a race on day two

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Clerk of the course Jon Pullin had hoped to rearrange the race for Friday after it emerged it was under threat.

He told talkSPORT on Tuesday: "We have hopefully got a drier end to the day today and through tonight and dry tomorrow so we will give it every chance.

"And if we are not able to stage it tomorrow, we are working with the BHA at the moment and looking at the possibility of restaging it on Friday."

However, it has now fallen by the wayside, with the racecourse releasing a statement on Wednesday morning.

It confirmed that the forecast for the remainder of the week means the track for the Cross-Country Chase wouldn't improve significantly.

The statement read: "Following 11mm of rainfall throughout yesterday, there has been no improvement in the conditions on the Cross Country Course and with areas of the track unraceable, the Cross Country Chase has sadly been abandoned.

"The forecast for the remainder of the week continues to look unsettled, with further showers likely on both Thursday and Friday.

"There will therefore be insufficient improvement to the Cross Country Course by Friday, and the decision has been taken not to reschedule the race."

The revised race times for day two of the festival have been confirmed:

Race 1: 13.45 - Novices Hurdle

Race 2: 14.30 - Novices' Steeple Chase

Race 3: 15.15 - Coral Cup Hurdle

Race 4: 16.00 - Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase

Race 5: NA

Race 6: 16.50 - Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase challenge

Race 7: 17.30 - Champion Bumper

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Cheltenham Festival mud

Cheltenham Festival: The Cross-Country Chase won't go ahead due to a waterlogged track

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Meanwhile, two horses sadly died on the first day of the festival.

The first fatality occurred in the third race of the day when Highland Hunter died after he fell during the final stages.

Four-year-old Ose Partir then died during the sixth race.

Animal Aid says that 76 horses have now died at the Cheltenham Festival since 2000.

Highland Hunter

Cheltenham Festival: Highland Hunter sadly died on the first day

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A spokesperson for the racecourse said: "Highland Hunter was immediately attended by expert veterinary professionals in the concluding stages of our third race but sadly passed away.

"In the sixth race, Ose Partir sustained an injury and was humanely put to sleep.

"Our heartfelt condolences are with the connections of both horses."

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