Cheltenham rescheduled for April 17
Wednesday, 14 March 2001It has been decided that the postponed Cheltenham Festival will now go ahead on April 17. This is good news for Irish race lovers as it means the festival will not clash with the Punchestown Festival, due to take place the following week, pending the situation surrounding the foot and mouth crisis closer to that time. The organisers of the popular race meeting decided today that a definite date had to be set so that preparations can begin immediately.
"We are convinced that we can safely conduct a successful race meeting and that, so long as racing continues and the racecourse remains outside an infected area, then we should make every effort to hold the meeting," said Cheltenham managing director Edward Gillespie today.
However, if the festival was postponed yet again, the British Horseracing Board have been examining alternative venues where the ten championship races including the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup could be run.
Cheltenham organisers have stated that all tickets for the orginial festival will be valid for the same day of the week during the rescheduled dates and that they will be contacting all ticket holders with further details including the offer of a full refund if the person cannot attend the re-arranged festival.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
