Tolworth Hurdle moved from Sandown to Aintree as BHA announces extensive changes to jumps programme

The Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle has been switched from its January date at Sandown and will now be run on Aintree's new Boxing Day card following the announcement of significant to the programme by the BHA jumps Pattern committee.

The changes, which are intended to strengthen the quality of action, will commence from the beginning of the 2023-24 jumps season and are designed to ensure Pattern fixtures are spaced out throughout the campaign in order to increase the level of competition.

Andrew Cooper, head of racing and clerk of the course at Sandown, said: "The changes to the Pattern announced today are aimed at strengthening the upper tier of British jump racing, and the moving of the mid-season Grade 1 novice hurdle opportunity over two miles from Sandown to Aintree is an important component of that.

"The change should also be viewed in the context of the new Pattern races on both days of the Betfair Tingle Creek Festival. What is most important to everyone that has been involved in the project is the overall strength of the Pattern going forward."

Other notable changes include the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham switching to Trials Day at the end of January, rather than early December, and the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on December 27 becoming a Grade 2 limited handicap in order to make it more competitive.

The changes in full

Novice hurdles

Juvenile hurdles

• Listed Summit Hurdle to be run at Aintree one week earlier (replacing the juvenile fillies' race).
• New Listed fillies' juvenile hurdle at Newbury introduced at the beginning of December, replacing the race previously taking place at Aintree.
• Scottish Triumph Hurdle (Musselburgh) to retain Listed status, but with amended race conditions. Pattern-class horses have the option of the Grade 2 Finesse (Cheltenham) a week earlier.

Two miles

• Grade 2 Sharp (Cheltenham) moved to October from November.
• Listed hurdle (Kempton) removed from the programme.
• Newton (Haydock) upgraded to Grade 2 from Listed status.
• New Listed race added to Sandown Park's Tingle Creek meeting.
• Grade 1 Tolworth moved to Aintree's new Boxing Day fixture.
• Grade 2 Kennel Gate (Ascot) removed from the programme.

Two and a half miles

• Listed race at Cheltenham's New Year's Day meeting removed from programme.
• Grade 2 Leamington (Warwick) removed from the programme.

Open hurdles

Two miles

• Grade 2 International (Cheltenham) to be run on Trials Day at the end of January.
• Grade 2 Champion Hurdle Trial (Haydock Park) and Listed Contenders (Sandown Park) removed from programme.

Novice chases

Two miles

• Grade 2 Lightning to be moved to Lingfield and run a week earlier in January to create a three-week gap with the Grade 2 Kingmaker (Warwick).

Two and a half miles

• Grade 2 Towton (Wetherby) moved to mid-January and run over reduced distance of 2m4f.
• Grade 2 Dipper (Cheltenham), Grade 2 Future Champion (Ayr) and Grade 2 Altcar (Haydock Park) removed from the programme.

Three miles

• Introduction of a Listed chase over 3m to be run at Cheltenham's November meeting.
• Introduction of a new Grade 2 race at Sandown at the Tingle Creek meeting in early December.
• Removal of the Grade 2 John Francome (Newbury) and the Grade 2 December (Doncaster).

Open chases

Two miles

• Grade 2 Desert Orchid (Kempton) to become a Grade 2 limited handicap, creating a space in the weight-for-age programme between the Grade 1 Tingle Creek (Sandown) and Grade 1 Clarence House (Ascot).

Three miles

• Removal of Listed Future Stars Intermediate (Sandown) and Grade 2 Many Clouds (Aintree).
• Grade 2 Peter Marsh (Haydock) to become full weight-range premier handicap.

'The changes are all sensible'

Ruth Quinn, BHA director of international racing and racing development, said: "The jumps Pattern programme in Britain has undergone an in-depth review, focusing on how we best support and improve the performance of jump racing at the top end of the pyramid, both in the short and longer-term.

"The aim is to ensure our top contests are spaced more appropriately and consistently throughout the season – and hopefully deliver more competitive, meaningful and engaging racing as a consequence."

Paul Nicholls, who will be crowned champion trainer for a 14th time this weekend, welcomed the news, saying: "The changes to the timings and venues of certain races are all sensible and will help trainers better campaign their good horses. Increased competition and more prize-money at the top end can only be a good thing for the sport."

Jockey Club racing director Richard Norris said: "With the majority of Britain's jumps Pattern races being run at our venues, we have welcomed the opportunity to play a leading role in this in-depth review. We hope the changes will be met with approval from all stakeholders and will play a large part in making the upper tiers of British jump racing stronger and more competitive throughout the season.

"Despite the majority of the changes affecting races at our tracks we are happy to support a 'less is more' approach, and hope this slimmed-down programme, with some races repositioned, will prove beneficial for all concerned."

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