Amateur jockeys were not consulted over 'bitterly disappointing' changes to National Hunt Chase

The Amateur Jockeys Association (AJA) said it was not consulted on the "bitterly disappointing" decision to allow professionals to ride in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

On Thursday, it was revealed the historic contest will be staged as a novice handicap and no longer be confined to amateur riders, one of several changes to the festival race programme.

AJA chief executive Sarah Oliver lamented the move, saying: "Obviously the change to the race conditions of the National Hunt Chase is bitterly disappointing for amateur jockeys, particularly as we only learned of this change earlier this morning without a chance to defend its retention.