'Cheltenham's already diluted, if it had gone five days I wouldn't have renewed'

Cheltenham's decision to stick with four days for its festival was met with unanimous approval by racegoers when the track opened its doors for the autumn on Friday.

Many in the sport had anticipated the festival being extended to five days in 2024, but news came on Monday that the Jockey Club – owners and custodians of Cheltenham – were sticking with the status quo.

The decision was widely praised and the reaction from those in attendance on Friday was similar.

"Fantastic," said Peter Sallis from the nearby Gloucestershire village of Tredington.

"Five days would kill the job. I was a big fan of the three-day festival, but four days has been a success, although four is plenty.

"You've got to think of the expense, especially in this day and age with living costs, for the punters. There's no point putting on an extra day if people are stuck at home watching the pennies.

"I know a group who came over in March from Ireland and ended up watching the racing in town because coming here was too much. This place is up and down; you're never on the level."

Sallis, who has been going to Cheltenham for around 60 years, added: "You can't go to the well too often – think of the goose that laid the golden egg."

Cheltenham opened its doors for the autumn on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Norman Stringer, an annual member for 17 years, said: "I only want four days, absolutely, although I'd like to go back to three days. I can take four, but while the Ryanair is a great race, it has diluted the Champion Chase and Gold Cup. I know it would be only two extra races for a five-day festival, but I doubt I'd renew my membership – if I did I certainly wouldn't come all five days."

While Sallis and Stringer are regulars at the venue, Jonathan Scott, who lives near Middleham, was making his first visit.

He was also in favour of the decision.

"I think it's a good idea," said Scott, a part-owner of Glentruan, who was due to run in the 2m4f handicap hurdle on Friday. "There's plenty of racing and it would dilute the quality. Listening to other people – the experts – I think five would be too much. I don't know what the general public, who might have an extra day out, think but for the sport I see it as a positive."

Leicestershire-based layer Glyn Jones, who has been betting at the track for around 35 years, was humming from the same hymn sheet.

"Brilliant," he said. "It would have cost me about £1,500 for two extra races and I wouldn't have made that back. We're over the moon. The races aren't filling up now, are they? You saw the small fields in March and it might be even worse with extra races and an extra day. It's meant to be a championship meeting."

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