Claisse: the fence highlighted for close monitoring not a problem historically

The fence on the back straight that was highlighted for monitoring especially closely in the BHA’s Cheltenham Festival Review has not historically raised particular concerns, according to Jockey Club Racecourses' regional head of racing and Cheltenham clerk of the course Simon Claisse, who keeps exhaustive records.

Among the requirements of the review is that the racecourse and BHA "must continue to monitor faller rates by individual obstacle, in order to identify emerging risk areas, taking remedial action where possible".

Fence nine on the Old course was highlighted as an example requiring close monitoring, with "changes required if there is no immediate improvement in faller/fatality rates".