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Turners Novices' Chase downgrade backed by Harry Fry - but change gives him a dilemma with smart Gidleigh Park

Gidleigh Park clears the last to win the 2m41/2f novice hurdle at Newbury
Gidleigh Park: set to go novice chasingCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Harry Fry expressed his support for a "sensible" change to the Turners Novices' Chase from a Grade 1 to a handicap, even though it leaves him with a tough decision about where to aim the talented Gidleigh Park at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

It was revealed in the Racing Post this week that the Turners, introduced in 2011 as the Golden Miller Novices' Chase, will lose its top-level status as part of a revamped programme at next year's festival in March and become a handicap. A 2m4f novice handicap chase formed part of the festival schedule for 16 years before being axed in 2020.

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West Country correspondent

Published on inBritain

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