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.
Read the full story
Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.
Subscribe to unlock
- Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
- Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
- Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
- Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
- Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
- Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data
Already a subscriber?Log in
Published on inCheltenham Festival
Last updated
Copy- Punchestown under consideration as well as National for Inothewayurthinkin as favourite backers face nervous wait
- 'In the same form I'd back him to win any race he runs in' - our experts find the early value for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
- Lorcan Williams: 'I went to Cheltenham on Wednesday and I was watching the replay all the way on the train'
- 'Race of the season' on the cards as Golden Ace could face Punchestown rematch with festival fallers
- Star names and competitive races help Cheltenham Festival betting turnover buck recent trend
- Punchestown under consideration as well as National for Inothewayurthinkin as favourite backers face nervous wait
- 'In the same form I'd back him to win any race he runs in' - our experts find the early value for the 2026 Cheltenham Festival
- Lorcan Williams: 'I went to Cheltenham on Wednesday and I was watching the replay all the way on the train'
- 'Race of the season' on the cards as Golden Ace could face Punchestown rematch with festival fallers
- Star names and competitive races help Cheltenham Festival betting turnover buck recent trend