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Cheltenham Race Conditions

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I thought I would post this as reference material as people often seem to want to know the race conditions for the festival.

Supreme
Grade 1, Total Prize Fund £125,000, Cheltenham, 1.30pm, Tuesday, March 10, 2019, Old Course, two miles and half a furlong (2m 87y). For novice four-year-olds and upwards. Weights 4-y-o 10st 13lb, 5-y-o and upwards 11st 7lb, fillies and mares allowance 7lb. Entries closed January 28 (86 entries), scratchings deadline February 18. Six-day confirmation and £6,250 supplementary stage, March 4, final declaration stage 10.00am, Sunday, March 8. Maximum field 22 runners.

Arkle
Grade One, £175,000 Total Prize Fund, Cheltenham, 2.10pm Tuesday, March 10, two miles (1m 7f 199y). For novice 5-y-o & upwards rated 120 or more. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 120. Weights: 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 21 (38 entries), scratchings’ deadline February 18, six-day confirmation & £8,500 supplementary stage March 4, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 8. Maximum 20 runners.

Ultima
Grade 3, £110,000 Total Prize Fund. Old Course, Cheltenham, 2.50pm, Tuesday, March 10, three miles and a furlong (3m 1f). For five- year-olds & upwards. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 18 (91 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declaration stage 10.00am, Sunday, March 8. Maximum field of 24.

Champion Hurdle
Grade 1, £450,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 3.30pm, Tuesday, March 10, two miles and half a furlong (2m 87y). For four-year- olds and upwards who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the senior BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation - horses who are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered (such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 130 - the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 4yo: 11st 2lb; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 14 (36 entries). Scratchings deadline February 11 (31 remain), £22,500 supplementary stage & six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declaration 10.00am, March 8, maximum number of runners 26.

Mares Hurdle
Grade 1, £120,000 Total Prize Fund. 4.10pm, Tuesday, March 10, two and a half miles (2m 3f 200y). For four-year-olds and upwards, fillies and mares. Weights: 4yo: 10st 10lb; 5yo+: 11st 5lb. Entries closed January 14 (36 entries). Scratchings deadline February 11, (27 remain) £6,000 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declarations 10am, March 8. Maximum number of runners 24.

Northern Trust Novice Handicap Chase
Listed, £70,000 Total Prize Fund. Old Course, Cheltenham, 4.50pm, Tuesday, March 10, two miles and four furlongs (2m 4f 44y). For novice five-year-olds and upwards rated 0-145. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 10lb. Entries closed February 18, (72 entries) weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declaration stage 10.00am, Sunday, March 8. Maximum field of 20

NH Novice Chase
Grade Two, £125,000 Total Prize Fund, 4.50pm Tuesday, March 10. Three miles and six furlongs (3m 5f 201y). For novice five-year-olds and upwards rated 120 or more. To be ridden by amateur riders, who have ridden in a minimum of 20 steeple chases under the Rules of Racing, including a minimum of 5 wins in chases. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 4lb; 6-y-o and upwards 11st 6lb; Mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 21 (61 entries), scratchings’ deadline February 18, six-day confirmation stage March 4, final declaration stage 10.00am Monday, March 8. Maximum 16 runners.

NHNC qualification for horses is to have finished in the 1st 4 in a chase (under Rules) over 2m7½f+, rated 120+, Run once in Chase in season, Run in at least two Chases

Ballymore
Grade 1, Total Prize Fund £125,000. Cheltenham, 1.30pm, Wednesday, March 11. Old Course, two miles and five furlongs (2m 5f). For novice four-year-olds and upwards. Weights: four-year-olds 10st 12lb; five-year-olds and upwards 11st 7lb. Allowances: fillies & mares 7lb. Entries closed January 28, (122 entries), scratchings deadline February 18. Six-day confirmation and £6,250 supplementary stage March 5. Final declaration stage 10am, Monday, March 9. Max field size of 22.

RSA
Grade One, £175,000 Total Prize Fund, Cheltenham, 2.10pm, Wednesday, March 11. Three miles and half a furlong (3m 80y). For novice 5-y-o+ rated 120 & more. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 120. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 2lb; 6-y-o+ 11st 4lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 21 (53 entries), scratchings’ deadline February 18, six-day confirmation & £8,750 supplementary stage March 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 9. Maximum 20 runners.

Coral Cup
Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. Old Course, Cheltenham, 2.50pm, Wednesday, March 13, two miles and five furlongs (2m 5f). For four-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 24, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 19, entries released February 21 (148 entries), weights revealed February 27. Six-day confirmation stage March 7, final declaration stage 10am, Monday, March 11. Maximum field of 26.

Champion Chase
Grade 1, £400,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm Cheltenham, Old Course, Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Two miles (1m 7f 199y). For 5yo+ who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation - horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered & such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 7 (31 entries), scratchings’ deadline February 11, (18 remain) £20,000 supplementary entry & six-day confirmation stage March 5. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10am, March 9. Maximum number of runners - 20.

Cross Country
£65,000 Total Prize Fund. Cross Country Course, Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, three miles and six furlongs (3m 6f 37y). For five-year-olds & upwards. Weights: five-year-olds 11st 2lb, six-year-olds and up 11st 4lb, mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed February 25 (26 entries). Six-day confirmations March 5, final declarations 10am, March 9. Maximum field 16 runners.

Boodles Fred Winter
Grade 3, £80,000 Total Prize Fund. Old Course, Cheltenham, 4.50pm, Wednesday, March 11, two miles and half a furlong (2m 87y). For juvenile four-year-olds only. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 10lb. Entries closed February 18 (61 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, Monday, March 9. Maximum field of 22.

Bumper Rules
Grade 1, £75,000 total prize fund. Old Course, Cheltenham, 5.30pm, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, two miles and half a furlong (2m
87y). For four, five and six-year-olds only which have not run under any recognised Rules of Racing, except National Hunt Flat races, Irish National Hunt Flat races or French AQPS races. Horses are not to have run in more than four National Hunt Flat races and, before February 26, must have been placed first, second, third or fourth in such a race. Weights: 4-y-o: 10st 11lb, 5-y-o and 6-y-o: 11st 5lb, fillies and mares allowance 7lb. Entries closed February 25 (35 entries), six-day confirmation stage March 5, final declaration stage 10.00am, Monday, March 9. Maximum 24 runners.

Marsh Novice Chase
Grade One, £150,000 Total Prize Fund. 1.30pm Cheltenham, Thursday, March 12. Two miles and four furlongs (2m 3f 168y). For novice 5-y-o and upwards rated 120 & more. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered. Such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 120. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 3lb, 6-y-o and up 11st 4lb; Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 21 (71 entries), scratchings’ deadline February 18, six-day confirmation & £7,500 supplementary stage March 6, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 10. Maximum 20 runners.

Pertemps
Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 2.10pm, Thursday, March 12, three miles (2m 7f 213y). For five-year- olds and upwards which have finished in the first six on at least one occasion in a Pertemps Hurdle Race (Qualifier) since the start of the current season. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 18 (57 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 6, final declaration stage 10.00am, Tuesday, March 10. Maximum field of 24.

Ryanair
Grade 1, £350,000 Total Prize Fund. 2.50pm, Cheltenham, Thursday, March 12, 2020, two miles & five furlongs (2m 4f 166y). For 5yo+ who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation - horses who are not qualified for a rating in Great Britain, Ireland or France may also be entered & such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 5-y-o 11st 9lb, 6-y-o and upwards 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed January 7 (44 entries), scratchings deadline February 11, (29 remain) £17,500 supplementary entry stage and six-day confirmation stage March 6. Final 48-hour declaration stage, 10.00am, March 12. Maximum number of runners – 24.

Stayers Hurdle
Grade 1, £325,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm, Thursday, March 12, three miles (2m 7f 213yds). For four-year-olds and upwards who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation - horses who are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered (such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 130 – the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 4yo: 11st; 5yo+: 11st 10lb; fillies & mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed January 14 (40 entries). Scratchings deadline February 11 (29 remain), £16,250 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage March 6, final declarations 10am, March 10. Maximum 24 runners.

Plate
Grade 3, £110,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Thursday, March 12, two miles, four and a half furlongs (2m
4f 127yds). For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 18 (96 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 6, final declaration stage 10.00am, Tuesday, March 10. Maximum field of 24.

Mares Novice Hurdle
Grade 2, £90,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.50pm, Thursday, March 12, 2020, two miles and a furlong (2m 179y). For novice four-year-olds and upwards, fillies and mares only. Weights: four-year-olds 10st 8lb, five-year-olds and up 11st 2lb. Penalties: a winner of a Class 2 weight-for-age hurdle or a Class 1 handicap hurdle 3lb, a winner of a Class 1 weight-for-age hurdle 5lb. Entries closed February 25 (36 entries), six-day confirmation stage March 6, final declaration stage 10.00am, Tuesday, March 10. Maximum 22 runners.

Kim Muir
£70,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 5.30pm, Thursday, March 12, three miles and two furlongs (3m 2f). For five-year- olds and upwards rated 0-145. Amateur riders. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 18 (95 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 6, final declaration stage 10.00am, Tuesday, March 10. Maximum field of 24.

Triumph Hurdle
Grade 1, Total Prize Fund £125,000. 1.30pm, Cheltenham, Friday, March 13. New Course, two miles and one furlong (2m 179y). For juvenile four-year-olds only. Weights: 11st each. Allowances: fillies 7lb. Entries closed January 28 (57 entries), scratchings deadline February 18, six-day confirmation and £6,250 supplementary stage March 7. Final declaration stage 10am, March 11. Max field size of 22.

County Hurdle
Grade 3, £100,000 Total Prize Fund. Cheltenham, 2.10pm, Friday, March 13, two miles and one furlong (2m 179yds). For five-year-olds and upwards. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 18 (99 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 7, final declaration stage 10.00am, March 11. Maximum field of 26 plus 2 reserves.

Albert Bartlett
Grade 1, Total Prize Fund £125,000, Cheltenham, 2.50pm, Friday, March 13, New Course, three miles (2m 7f 213y), for novice four-year- olds and upwards. Weights 4-y-o 10st 9lb, 5-y-o and upwards 11st 5lb, fillies and mares allowance 7lb Entries closed Tuesday, January 28 (99 entries). Scratchings deadline February 18, six-day confirmation and £6,250 supplementary stage Saturday, March 7, Final declaration stage 10am, Wednesday, March 11. Maximum field 20 runners.

Gold Cup
Grade 1, £625,000 Total Prize Fund. 3.30pm, Cheltenham, Friday, March 13, 2020. Three miles, two and a half furlongs (3m 2f 70y). For 5yo+ who are allotted a rating of 130 or more by the BHA Head of Handicapping following a review of the horses entered and after taking account of races run up to and including the day prior to confirmation. Horses who are not qualified for a rating in GB, IRE or FR may also be entered & such horses may be eligible providing the Handicapper is satisfied that the horse’s racecourse performances up to and including the day prior to confirmation would merit a minimum rating of 130 (the decision of the BHA Head of Handicapping shall be final). Weights: 5yo 11st 8lb, 6yo+ 11st 10lb. Allowances: mares 7lb. Entries closed Tuesday, January 7 (31 entries), scratchings’ deadline Tuesday, February 11 (20 remain), £31,250 supplementary entry stage & six-day confirmation stage Saturday, March 7. Final 48- hour declaration stage, 10.00am, Wednesday, March 11 Maximum number of runners – 24.

Foxhunter’s rules
Class 2, £45,000 total prize fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.10pm, Friday, March 13, 2020, three miles and two and a half furlongs (3m 2f 70y). For five-year-olds & upwards which since October 1, 2017, & before February 24, 2020, have been placed first or second on two occasions in a hunters’ chase in Great Britain or Ireland or have won two Open chases at Point-to-Point Meetings (i.e. Gentlemen’s, Ladies’ or Mixed Open Races) in Great Britain or Ireland or have won one Open steeple chase at a Point-to-Point Meeting in Great Britain or Ireland and have been placed first or second in a hunters’ steeple chase. Weights: 5-y-o 11st 12lb; 6-y-o & up 12st; mares allowed 7lb. Entries closed February 25 (34 entries), six-day confirmations March 7, final declaration 10.00am, Wednesday, March 11. Maximum 24 runners.

Grand Annual
Grade 3, £110,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 4.50pm, Friday, March 13, two miles and half a furlong (2m 62y). For five-year-old and upwards. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a chase 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 12lb. Entries closed February 18 (53 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 7, final declaration stage 10.00am, Wednesday, March 11. Maximum field of 20.

Martin Pipe
£70,000 Total Prize Fund. New Course, Cheltenham, 5.30pm, Friday, March 13, two miles and four and a half furlongs (2m 4f 56yds). For four-year-olds and upwards rated 0-145. Penalties: after February 23, a winner of a hurdle race 5lb. No penalty to increase a horse’s weight above 11st 10lb. Entries closed February 18 (156 entries), weights revealed February 26. Six-day confirmation stage March 7, final declaration stage 10.00am, Wednesday, March 11. Maximum field 24.
 
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Great idea this CNC, I think Saxon Warrior will include updated conditions together with past winners/history/weight ranges etc when the race threads are up.
Entries, scratchings and declaration dates can be amended when known but this is a great start...
 
Top effort CNC, always a useful reference point to be able to reference, thank you for taking the time to post it
 
Does anyone know what the distance is for the new mares chase?
 
Thank's for the Race Conditions C.N.C , Very Useful.
On the Mares chase , Any one think there's any relevance .
That it's on Oddschecker between the Champion Chase and the Cross country ??.
Could it be that the Boodles juv hdl is to go ??.
Or just a coincidence .??.
 
Loo
Thank's for the Race Conditions C.N.C , Very Useful.
On the Mares chase , Any one think there's any relevance .
That it's on Oddschecker between the Champion Chase and the Cross country ??.
Could it be that the Boodles juv hdl is to go ??.
Or just a coincidence .??.

I noticed that as well BC, on paddy power, they have it on the Wednesday.
 
Cheers Ista! Its easy to find if you look hard enough:highly_amused:
 
I assume the intention is to have a Mares chase that mirrors the hurdling division, so safe to assume it will eventually end up a G1 and that a Mares novice chase will also be created.
Yet more dilution sadly...
 
So, we'll scrap the 1000 Guineas and Oaks shall we?
 
I still don’t understand why a race has to be lost at the Festival, just start one of the days 45 mins earlier and add it to that race day. The Wednesday and Friday only have 3 chase races so add it to that day. 8 races instead of 7 is not a massive inconvenience, if you’re not fussed on the race just spend it queuing at the bar for a pint of piss or go and watch a band play a few songs in a tent or enjoy an extra race.
 
I still don’t understand why a race has to be lost at the Festival, just start one of the days 45 mins earlier and add it to that race day. The Wednesday and Friday only have 3 chase races so add it to that day. 8 races instead of 7 is not a massive inconvenience, if you’re not fussed on the race just spend it queuing at the bar for a pint of piss or go and watch a band play a few songs in a tent or enjoy an extra race.

That'll never happen TPK. That worst thing about the five day festival is that it'll be five days with six races each.

It's just another way of ripping off the racegoer. As a paying customer, I think every race card should be a minimum of seven races but it never seems to get mentioned by those who want five days.
 
I think every race card should be a minimum of seven races but it never seems to get mentioned by those who want five days.

I’ve been following racing since the late 80s FM and in them days every card was 6 races, I may be wrong but I’m sure this was the case well into the 90s.
I think we all accept the five day festival is inevitable one day with the Ryanair/Stayers being the Saturday feature of a six race card, disappointing but if there weren’t enough financial pressures forcing this before there certainly are now...
 
I would rather they looked at other options, such as having a Mare's finals card some time around November/December so that it doesn't affect any of the festivals. That way they can make a big deal of it. Even better if it was away from Cheltenham to give another course the limelight. You only really need a grade 1 Mare's hurdle and chase for it to be decent. Pad the rest out with other class 2/listed Mare's races (novice hurdle, novice chase, handicaps and a bumper) and you've got a decent card. Better than the pathetic effort of a Mare's card that Cheltenham put on in April.
 
Thank's for the Race Conditions C.N.C , Very Useful.
On the Mares chase , Any one think there's any relevance .
That it's on Oddschecker between the Champion Chase and the Cross country ??.
Could it be that the Boodles juv hdl is to go ??.
Or just a coincidence .??.

The more I think about it.
The more this looks likely.
which is annoying as I backed the Kim Muir & Novice handicap chase.

The Boodles is a bag of shit really and has pretty low level horses running in it year after year and very few turn into anything truly Festival worthy.

It should help make the triumph a bit beefier and they all have several other options against the older horses if they wish and the Filly's have the mares novice so this would help that race also.

Losing this race will mean the Cross country goes back to the Tuesday and they can market ladies day with both the Mares Hurdle and Mares Chase. With the Queen Mother tying in nicely.