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Cheltenham Racecourse Cancels Final Fixtures for Drainage Work

BBC Sport •
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Cheltenham Racecourse has cancelled its final three fixtures of the season to address drainage issues on the track. The two-day meeting scheduled for April 15-16 and the race night planned for May 1 will no longer take place. The May 1 fixture has been relocated to Warwick Racecourse.

The decision comes after a challenging winter season where the track experienced multiple issues during wet conditions. Work will begin immediately on a significant portion of the home straight, allowing the racing surface time to recover before the 2026-27 season. This year's Cheltenham Festival saw four horse fatalities, including two on the final day.

Jon Pullin, Cheltenham's head of racing and clerk of the course, emphasized the priority of providing optimal racing conditions. The project was accelerated due to the scale of work needed and the track's performance during recent dry summers. The improvements aim to enhance safety and racing quality for future seasons.