Jumps runners to be given second chance after Cheltenham Festival false starts

Prompted by a series of false starts at the Cheltenham Festival, the British Horseracing Authority and Professional Jockeys Association have announced a three-month trial of adjusted starting procedures for jump races.

The measures, which have been endorsed by champion jockey Brian Hughes, come into place on Monday and run until December 31.

If there is an initial false start in any jump race, runners will be permitted one more attempt at lining up and approaching the tapes at a walk/jig-jog, rather than immediately reverting to a standing start.

If the second attempt at starting the race also results in a false start then the third attempt will be made by standing start. The objective is to try to reduce the number of races which are started by standing start.

A high proportion of races at the Cheltenham Festival this year resulted in false starts, while there were four on the opening day of the 2019 meeting – the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Novices’ Chase, Ultima Handicap Chase and Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Those four contests were all run from a standing start after the starting procedure was deemed to have been infringed, with several runners breaking the tape before the Supreme, including winner Klassical Dream.

The decision to bring back the start of the Close Brothers drew boos from the crowd as racegoers grew frustrated by delays to the action.

Brian Hughes: second start fairer for all concernedCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Hughes, who was part of a consultation process into the adjustments, along with Richard Johnson, Tom Scudamore and Page Fuller, said: ”I trust the starters with their current decision-making. However, some races can be lost at a standing start, with your horse being out of position which compromises everyone involved, including the owner and betting public.

“I fully support the initiative, and hope that in the longer term, once a second start is called that it proves fairer for all participating.”

Brant Dunshea, chief regulatory officer for the BHA, said: “On the whole, the procedures for starting jump races which we introduced in 2014 continue to work well and have, since that time, led to a significant overall reduction in the total number of false starts and breaches of the starting rules by jockeys. However, we appreciate standing starts can present challenges, and if they can be avoided we should look at solutions to achieve that.”

Paul Struthers, chief executive of the PJA, said: “Our jump jockeys were very happy with our starting procedures and have an excellent working relationship and level of trust with BHA’s team of starters.

"The only complaint was the immediate reversion to a standing start following a false start and this trial provides us with a great opportunity to see if giving the start a second chance reduces the number of standing starts.”

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