Tizzard and Moore both come out in support of five-day festival

Colin Tizzard and Gary Moore have joined the growing chorus of trainers supporting a five-day Cheltenham Festival.

Nicky Henderson, Philip Hobbs and Alan King have all backed an extra festival day, an idea that hasn't been ruled out by new Cheltenham chairman Martin St Quinton.

Tizzard, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Native River in 2018, said on Sunday he was keen for jump racing's biggest week to become even bigger.

The trainer said: “We say Cheltenham week is the best week of the year for us, win or lose. It’s what we all strive for. So the more days they have the better.”

Moore, another trainer with festival success after taking the Champion Chase with Sire De Grugy in 2014, said: “Royal Ascot is five days and that’s healthy – so why don’t we do it?

Gary Moore: 'Royal Ascot is healthy, and that's five days'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"From a totally selfish point of view, it would mean I would have to drive there and back on all five days if I had runners on each day, but I probably won’t have anyway."

Henderson announced his support of the idea on Friday, saying a five-day festival consisting of six races each day would need only one additional race, with the new mares’ chase set to be brought in next year, and suggested a veterans’ chase could fit the bill for the 30th race.

The 69-year-old drew a comparison with Royal Ascot’s five days and expressed further support for the idea on Sunday.

He said: “I’ve got the stamina for it and I’ll be older than most of the other trainers. I just think you’ve got the set-up, the table is laid and everything is there.

“It’s the most lucrative four days in the bookies' racing calendar. Financially it would be good for racing and you’re going to need only two extra races.”

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