Fences moved after study shows rise in fallers

Cheltenham: stage is set for a cracking Open meetingCredit: Edward Whitaker

The clash between Sprinter Sacre and Douvan promises to be one of the highlights of the 2017 Cheltenham Festival, but there will be a fresh twist to the Grade 1 as there will be a shorter run between the last two fences.

The penultimate fence on Cheltenham's Old course, over which the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase is run, has been moved eight metres nearer to the finish on safety grounds.

The change, introduced for Friday's first meeting of the season, follows consultation with the Professional Jockeys Association and BHA after an increase in fallers at the obstacle last season.

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Mark StoreyNews editor

Published on 20 October 2016inNews

Last updated 18:13, 20 October 2016

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