'It doesn't feel right' - readers have their say on a potential Wednesday-to-Saturday Cheltenham Festival

On Sunday it was reported early consideration is being given to moving the Cheltenham Festival to run from Wednesday-Thursday. Here, you have had your say on the potential radical change.

Cheltenham on a Saturday holds no appeal

I very much share the opinions of David Jennings (October 21) in that a Saturday festival holds no appeal.

Having the week off work for the Tuesday to Friday, with Monday used as prep work, is one highlight of the year and by Saturday I’m ready, like many others, to move on to the football for a period of time. Indeed, being actively involved in football on a Saturday afternoon means racing gets none of my attention at that time of day even in a normal weekend.

Premier League football kicking off at 12.30pm, 3pm and 5.30pm would all clash with racing – the Gold Cup running in the middle of Soccer Saturday on Sky doesn’t feel right at all.

I’m happy to have the debate and discussion, but I'd be hugely disappointed if any change is made to the current structure, for all it would save me a couple of days’ holiday!

And I wonder what Uttoxeter will make of it all!

Simon Burgess

Bewdley, Worcestershire

Have it during football's international break

I would support the idea of a Wednesday-to-Saturday Cheltenham Festival with the Gold Cup on a Saturday. Losing a midweek day for a weekend is a plus for most people. The existing festival racecards could easily be shuffled forward a day.

However, what about moving the festival week back to the following week, which is usually a Premier League break for internationals? The home international football matches are played at night so won't distract a TV audience.

Howard Palmer

Northallerton, North Yorkshire

Drift away from tradition has damaged racing

Can we forget this idea of moving the days of the Cheltenham Festival to include a Saturday? It did not work for the Derby and will not for the Gold Cup.

Though there has been a decline in some numbers regarding attendance, a cap has been put on Gold Cup day which will be reached on a Friday. So exactly what would we gain from a Saturday Gold Cup? No more people can attend. The event would be up against other major sporting events of much more popular sports.

The answer to falling attendances is simple: reduce the cost by having food and drink on course at prices people can afford and cheaper accommodation for those staying over.

As for the racing and the meeting itself, I must disagree with Nicky Henderson. The drift away from tradition is what has damaged much of racing over both codes in recent times.

Stephen Chance

Dudley, West Midlands

Moving back a day would be a disaster

Moving the festival back a day would be a disaster and to the further detriment of the sport. It has already been weakened by extending it from three to four days.

When the Derby moved, in 1995, from Wednesday to Saturday there was some hope that the declining attendance would be arrested. In fact, that move started further decline and 30 years later the authorities are now wondering what they can do to arrest that further decline.

Wednesday was/is an ideal day to attract racing crowds compared with Saturday, when so much other top-class sport is taking place. So much more corporate entertaining would take place on a Wednesday and groups of workmates would take the day off. On Saturday those workmates would have other commitments.

Cheltenham, please, leave well alone.

Brian Birch

Sittingbourne

Don't go same way as the Derby

I have followed with great interest the debate about whether the Cheltenham Festival should move from Tuesday-Friday to Wednesday-Saturday. As a festival fanatic who has missed only one day in 30 years, I must admit I’m genuinely undecided.

From the perspective of attracting a younger audience, finishing on a Saturday makes sense. Many more people in their 20s and 30s could attend, and a larger crowd might offset any reduction in hospitality income. To preserve the meeting’s prestige, though, the Gold Cup would need to remain on the final day.

That said, as a former non-executive director and committee member at Epsom, I would urge caution. During my nine years there from 2010, I can’t recall the Derby ever being run at the same or even similar time two years in a row. Football fixtures – the FA Cup final, Euros or World Cup – constantly dictated our schedule (it was once run at 1.30pm) and has eroded the race’s stature.

The decline in Derby crowds over the past two decades shows how close it is to losing its place as a major sporting occasion. God forbid the Gold Cup should go the same way, with serious financial consequences for Jockey Club Racecourses and their wider portfolio.

David Watt

Brighton

I am certain it would be wrong

Firstly, I have to say that I do think Guy Lavender is going to do a great job as chief executive for Cheltenham. As someone who hasn’t missed a day of the festival for 30 years, though, I have to say that I am certain moving it to Wednesday-Saturday would be the wrong move.

I am totally with the view expressed in the Post by David Jennings on this one. Only three years ago capacity had to be reduced on Gold Cup day because it was becoming too crowded and for me it is all about the quality of the product and the customer experience. The clamour to move to a five-day festival was just crazy and this idea is not far behind.

When it was three days, the quality, competitiveness and excitement produced legends of the turf that got most of us hooked on jump racing and has made us supporters of the sport for life. We continue to share memories and talk about the greatest horses and races whenever we all meet up in March. That can still happen over four days with hard work on the programme, but moving to a Saturday would dilute how special it feels. And for anyone who thinks the Gold Cup would hold its own on a Saturday, I have two words: The Derby.

A key strength of Cheltenham and jump racing is being surrounded by genuine enthusiasts with a common love of the horses and the sport and I honestly think new racegoers pick up on that and come back.

Going racing on a Saturday is different and, in my view, is about a drinking culture and a different social experience. I think this would tip the balance with too many true racegoers staying away.

I love all sports, but Cheltenham, for me, is the greatest sporting event in the calendar and I am absolutely certain that a move to Wednesday-Saturday would be wrong. I just wish I could find the great words of the late Alastair Down to articulate why!

Neil B

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