Five-day festival: Jockey Club must beware danger of strangling the golden goose

March: On the attack – the runners for the Coral Cup drill away from the stands which could only be those of the Cheltenham Festival. A circuit to go and everything to play for

Consultation over extending the Cheltenham Festival to five days is under wayCredit: Edward Whitaker

News that the Jockey Club is already consulting with owners and trainers on extending the Cheltenham Festival to five days ensures battle lines will be drawn swiftly.

The consultation will of course widen, but launching it among those whose fun and livelihoods are interlinked with top-class racing seems sure to provide a bulwark against others who would fight tooth and claw against any extension.

Do we need five days? The answer depends on who you ask, naturally, and in decoding Ian Renton's comments the shape of the conversation is drawn.

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Tony SmurthwaiteManaging editor

Published on 15 April 2022inNews

Last updated 19:13, 15 April 2022

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