What next for Cheltenham? No fifth day - but still issues to address

So we now know the Cheltenham Festival is set to remain a four-day meeting. But there are still issues for the track to address so the week continues to thrive, notably around competitiveness, affordability and facilities.

Competitiveness

Those concerned about a further dilution in the competitiveness of the festival will breathe easier with the meeting staying at four days, but there should be no resting on laurels.

The extension was going to add only two more races in any case and the decline in field sizes in racing generally has increased since some concerning indicators at the festival in March.

The Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase was contested by a paltry four runners this year, while single-figure fields lined up for other key novice races which traditionally attract big fields.

The main betting heats away from the feature races were not immune either, as there was a record low number of entries for the handicaps.

So rather than trying to come up with two new races, the focus should switch back to the argument that there are already too many races. Cheltenham is the holy grail where the best take on the best to be crowned the outright champions, and that depth of competition needs protecting.

The Turners, for example, is one race that could perhaps be lost in order to boost others given there are already three other novice chases at the meeting.

Affordability

There won't be as many racegoers at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival as this year – regardless of the cost of living crisis.

Following a record attendance totalling 280,627 in March, the crowd limit has been capped in a move to improve the racegoer experience.

Prices are driven by demand, as highlighted by the cost of drinks at this year's festival when it was £7 for a pint of Guinness and £14 for gin and tonic. The lure of the festival appears as strong as ever, but many regular racegoers could well be priced out of making the annual pilgrimage.

Cheltenham Festival: a record crowd of 280,627 attended across the four days in MarchCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Ticket prices for next year were increased when they were first released and the latest prices for a single ticket on the first day are £50 in the Best Mate Enclosure, £67 in Tattersalls and £98 in Club.

Accommodation in and around Cheltenham during the festival is notoriously high, with many hotels in the area already priced at £600 and above for a room on Cheltenham Gold Cup day.

The Jockey Club could perhaps now do its bit for cash-strapped racegoers by capping 2023 prices for a certain number of years.

Facilities

The record crowds on the St Patrick's Day Thursday and Gold Cup Friday this year were described as "stretching the infrastructure to the limit" by the track's director Ian Renton.

It's not hard to imagine a lot of negative feedback about the infrastructure was received during the five-day festival consultation process and, in response, Renton said on Monday the Jockey Club had gathered insight into "improving our facilities and investing in new on-course activations".

It has been seven years since Cheltenham's successful £45 million redevelopment and facilities should reflect the change in customer trends and demands that have occurred over that time.

It is heartening that Cheltenham is aware of the need to improve further but essential that actions now follow words.

Read these next:

Cheltenham Festival to remain at four days after Jockey Club listens to concerns

Cheltenham giants Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott back four-day festival call (£)

Chris Cook: a victory for people power – but just how bad must the feedback have been?! (£)

'Four is what it has been and four is where it should stay' – racegoers react

'Thank Christ for that, I can't afford five' – your Cheltenham Festival views

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