Ian Renton defends Cheltenham after Nigel Twiston-Davies criticism

Cheltenham supremo Ian Renton on Sunday defended the penalty structure of Saturday's International Hurdle in the wake of criticism from Nigel Twiston-Davies, whose The New One failed to concede 6lb to old rival My Tent Or Yours in one of the most heartwarming finishes of the jumps season.

Twiston-Davies, who trains just 12 miles from the track, was seething after the Saturday defeat of his prolific nine-year-old, who went down by a length and a quarter to the Nicky Henderson-trained My Tent Or Yours, winning his first race since February 2014.

Twiston-Davies questioned why the £130,000 race was not a Grade 1, calling the situation "pathetic" and a "travesty".

However, Renton reckons the 14,979-strong crowd that helped Cheltenham set a new aggregate attendance record for a calendar year would perhaps not welcome too many tweaks to "one of the best races we've seen outside the festival".

International Hurdle result

He said: "The fact is it's a Grade 2 and a very valuable Grade 2. There was a danger when we put prize-money above the norm for this category of race that some people expect it to be a different grade of race.

"Grade 2s have a penalty structure and we like to ensure when we have quality horses – whether in Grade 1s or 2s – that we give them the right rewards.

"We always look at our races to see whether they should be upgraded. We're wholly supportive of the Pattern and don't wish to see all Pattern races ending up at Cheltenham; we want to ensure there's a fair distribution around the country, and are very conscious of not doing something that has an effect on a Pattern race elsewhere.

"However, it is something we review every year in conjunction with the BHA and it will be something we look at at the end of the season."

An upgrading of the International would raise the possibility of three Grade 1 two-mile hurdles being run in under a month, with Newcastle's Fighting Fifth and the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton – races also supported by International Hurdle sponsor Unibet – sandwiching the Cheltenham contest.

"There's flexibility in the Grade 2 penalty structure and we can look at it," added Renton. "I'm always sympathetic when Nigel doesn't win a race at his local course, but it was lovely to see a horse win a race for the first time in three years.

"It was a fantastic race and I don't think any of the spectators would feel anything needs changing if we can produce a finish like that every year – I think they'd be very happy."

Cheltenham aggregate attendances

2017 477,826

2016 476,085

2015 462,418

2014 428,934

2013 409,436

Renton was understandably pleased with the new record crowd numbers, which have continued to rise.

"We've increased our crowds each year and are particularly pleased this year, having started with a wet and miserable New Year's Day which put us well behind," he said.

"Each of our lesser meetings have added people. Slightly over 50 per cent of our crowd is for the four festival days in March, but it's really important people want to come to the other meetings and we've seen them all build up to nice levels."

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