Cheltenham Festival average field sizes down 15 per cent with fewer than 400 horses facing the starter

An average field size of 13.4 runners at last week's Cheltenham Festival was the lowest since the meeting was extended to 28 races in 2016, marking a 15 per cent drop on 2023.
During that period the lowest previous average was 14.4 in 2021 when the festival was run behind closed doors because of Covid restrictions, while the average had not fallen below 14 runners per race in any year going back to 1988.
Counting the 12 declarations for the Glenfarclas Chase lost to waterlogging, there were 379 runners across 28 races, the first time fewer than 400 horses have faced the starter at Cheltenham since the festival was expanded to four days in 2005.
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
- 'I’ll throw darts only if they're going to have a chance' - Warren Greatrex has sights on Cheltenham bullseye
- Sean Doyle turns down offers for big Hunters' Chase fancy Willitgoahead in the hope of first Cheltenham Festival success
- Ruby Walsh: ‘Galopin Des Champs could be Willie Mullins’ Frankel’
- 'I get the impression he's been laser-targeted at this race and his course form is excellent'
- How motionless magician JT McNamara conjured a remarkable win over a gallant rival
- 'I’ll throw darts only if they're going to have a chance' - Warren Greatrex has sights on Cheltenham bullseye
- Sean Doyle turns down offers for big Hunters' Chase fancy Willitgoahead in the hope of first Cheltenham Festival success
- Ruby Walsh: ‘Galopin Des Champs could be Willie Mullins’ Frankel’
- 'I get the impression he's been laser-targeted at this race and his course form is excellent'
- How motionless magician JT McNamara conjured a remarkable win over a gallant rival