"We hope changes will lead to an improvement" - BHA to conduct review into Cheltenham starts

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Thu 16 Jul 2026 13:40

Jon Vine 2 hours ago

Share this article

BHA will review and change Cheltenham Festival starting procedures after repeated false starts
Key proposals include optimising start areas, clarifying rules, visible start zones, tiered penalties, and live audio recording
All changes aim to improve race fairness and experience for horses, jockeys, and fans

Runners gather at the start at the Cheltenham Festival. (Getty)

A BHA-led review of the Cheltenham Festival will take place soon, which should result in changes being made to starting procedures.

The Cheltenham Festival has been plagued by false starts in recent seasons. Jockeys have been refusing to give each other an inch as they line up before the starter's flag. False starts then result in flag starts, and we've seen plenty of horses lose all chance of competing if they're a step slow to react to the drop of the flag.

This sort of debacle has become all too common at National Hunt racing's flagship event, causing many casual punters and racing purists to lose enthusiasm for "the greatest show on turf".

After jockeys and trainers provided feedback following the conclusion of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, the issues raised will now come under scrutiny when the BHA conducts its review.

"The feedback, combined with the detailed data analysis, has given us a clear picture of the recurring challenges at Cheltenham, particularly around course configuration, the approach to the tapes, and the need for greater clarity and consistency in starting procedures." Said Cathy O'Meara, the BHA's head of raceday officials.

"Cheltenham is a unique environment. It is the pinnacle of jump racing, with the intensity, atmosphere and significance of the meeting all contributing to the pressure at the start. Our starters do an excellent job in the toughest circumstances, and these recommendations are designed to support them and the jockeys, from improving the physical layout at the most problematic starts to simplifying the rules, enhancing communication, and strengthening regulation where needed.

"We hope these changes will lead to an improvement to starts at the festival and across jump racing. But they are not a golden bullet. Success also depends on everyone involved doing their part to observe the starting procedures. We will monitor how these measures bed in throughout 2027 and continue to refine them where necessary to ensure the best possible experience for horses, jockeys and racing fans."

Here are the key points that will come up for discussion during the BHA's review...

Optimise the layouts of Cheltenham's two most problematic starting areas (the two-mile and two-and-a-half-mile starts) as much as possible to reduce congestion and excessive early acceleration, while recognising the physical limitations of the course.
Amend the rules so that all horses must approach the start at walking pace, replacing the current "walk or jig-jog" wording. This would give jockeys clearer guidance and provide starters with greater consistency and flexibility.
Explore the introduction of a clearly marked, highly visible start zone at all racecourses, giving starters a defined area from which they can safely and consistently start races.
Introduce a tiered system of increased penalties for starting-rule breaches in Class 1 and Class 2 races across all courses, mirroring the approach used for whip offences to provide a stronger deterrent in major races.
Introduce live audio recording at the start, with all communications between starters and jockeys transmitted directly to the stewards' room to improve transparency and assist with post-race reviews.

Cheltenham's clerk of the course, Jon Pullin had this to say after the BHA review was announced.

"We’ve worked closely both with participants and the BHA since this year’s festival and have made a number of layout changes to the two and two and a half mile starts on both the Old and New courses.

"We will be monitoring them closely as our season begins along with any other impacts of the wider proposed changes to starting procedures as they bed in."