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Nicky Henderson urges support for Cheltenham Festival changes - but Willie Mullins says 'it's too expensive'

Cheltenham: ground is heavy, soft in places
Cheltenham: ticket prices held at 2024 levels for next year's festivalCredit: Michael Steele (Getty Images)

Nicky Henderson, who has been surpassed by only Willie Mullins in terms of winners at the Cheltenham Festival, urged people to look positively on the changes made to next year’s meeting, arguing that “we all want the best" for the four-day fixture. 

Henderson was speaking after the Jockey Club revealed a raft of changes to the festival on Thursday aimed at improving race competitiveness and customer experience after concerns regarding small field sizes and falling attendances.

Among the changes are the Turners Novices’ Chase, Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase and the National Hunt Chase being switched to handicaps, with the latter also being opened to professional riders having been exclusively for amateurs previously.

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Deputy industry editor

Published on inCheltenham Festival

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