Fewer Grade 1 jumps races in Ireland in 2024 as Racing Post Novice Chase is axed
There will be fewer Irish Grade 1s in 2024 as Horse Racing Ireland attempts to improve the competitiveness of the top-tier jump races and the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown's Christmas festival has been axed as part of the revamp.
The move means there will be only two Grade 1 novice chases in Ireland over the festive period next year instead of three, with the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick over 2m3f and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown over 3m being kept on the calendar.
As a result, the Irish Arkle, won last year by El Fabiolo, will be the only Grade 1 novice chase over 2m1f before the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
inIreland
- Free entry to Gowran Park on Monday for first running of track's richest race
- 'Haatem has a massive future' - Richard Hannon says Irish Guineas second can join Rosallion on Group 1 roll of honour
- City Of Troy and Los Angeles to be joined by 50-1 outsider as Aidan O'Brien readies three-strong Derby team
- 'He's improving all the time' - Adrian Murray hopeful of big Derby run from 40-1 shot
- Confirmed runners and riders for the Irish 1,000 Guineas as star juvenile filly Opera Singer makes her comeback
- Free entry to Gowran Park on Monday for first running of track's richest race
- 'Haatem has a massive future' - Richard Hannon says Irish Guineas second can join Rosallion on Group 1 roll of honour
- City Of Troy and Los Angeles to be joined by 50-1 outsider as Aidan O'Brien readies three-strong Derby team
- 'He's improving all the time' - Adrian Murray hopeful of big Derby run from 40-1 shot
- Confirmed runners and riders for the Irish 1,000 Guineas as star juvenile filly Opera Singer makes her comeback