Fewer Grade 1 jumps races in Ireland in 2024 as Racing Post Novice Chase is axed
There will be fewer Irish Grade 1s in 2024 as Horse Racing Ireland attempts to improve the competitiveness of the top-tier jump races and the Racing Post Novice Chase at Leopardstown's Christmas festival has been axed as part of the revamp.
The move means there will be only two Grade 1 novice chases in Ireland over the festive period next year instead of three, with the Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick over 2m3f and the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at Leopardstown over 3m being kept on the calendar.
As a result, the Irish Arkle, won last year by El Fabiolo, will be the only Grade 1 novice chase over 2m1f before the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival.
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 inIreland
Last updated
- Racing Post to sponsor new Grade 1 showpiece on opening day of Leopardstown's Christmas festival
- 'The Melbourne Cup is the goal' - Vauban to stay in Australia after Rich Ricci sells star for A$2 million
- Who are the main Irish raiders to watch out for at Cheltenham's November meeting?
- Supreme, Albert Bartlett and Martin Pipe winners could meet in red-hot beginners' chase at Navan on Sunday
- 'The culture has to change' - Ger Hussey responds to HRI criticism of rehoming proposal
- Racing Post to sponsor new Grade 1 showpiece on opening day of Leopardstown's Christmas festival
- 'The Melbourne Cup is the goal' - Vauban to stay in Australia after Rich Ricci sells star for A$2 million
- Who are the main Irish raiders to watch out for at Cheltenham's November meeting?
- Supreme, Albert Bartlett and Martin Pipe winners could meet in red-hot beginners' chase at Navan on Sunday
- 'The culture has to change' - Ger Hussey responds to HRI criticism of rehoming proposal