CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE RELEASE
for immediate release, Sunday, April 1, 2001
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL CALLED OFF
The British Horseracing Board today (April 1, 2001) ruled that Cheltenham cannot stage the postponed three-day Festival on April 17, 18 & 19 because the Gloucestershire course falls within a foot and mouth infected area.
A foot and mouth outbreak has been confirmed at Woolstone, about five miles from the course.
Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, said today: “We are bitterly disappointed for everyone concerned that the 2001 Cheltenham Festival has had to be cancelled.
“I would like to say how incredibly grateful I have been for everybody’s help and patience over the last few weeks as Cheltenham Racecourse made plans and arrangements to stage the Festival in April after the original dates in March were not able to go ahead because of racing’s guidelines during this terrible foot and mouth outbreak.
“I hope that all concerned will support the three-day Martell Grand National Meeting at Aintree which starts on Thursday, April 5.
“There will be no 2001 Cheltenham Festival and we now look forward to the 2002 renewal on March 12, 13 & 14 at Cheltenham.
“The British Horseracing Board is working with all interested parties on contingency plans to run championship races at other venues.”
AINTREE RACECOURSE RELEASE
for immediate release, Sunday, April 1, 2001
PRIZE MONEY BOOSTED FOR FOUR RACES
Following the announcement of the loss of the National Hunt Festival at Cheltenham, Aintree Racecourse, in conjunction with the meeting sponsor Martell, the British Horseracing Board, the Horserace Betting Levy Board and Weatherbys, has increased the prize money pool for four races this week (April 5, 6 & 7).
In the light of Cheltenham’s abandonment and the improved prize money, the BHB has granted permission for Aintree Racecourse to offer the following races for further entries, with a deadline of noon on Tuesday, April 3.
Thursday, April 5
4.50pm The Barton and Guestier Top Novices’ Hurdle £50,000 (+£10,000)
Friday, April 6
2pm The Martell Mersey Novices’ Hurdle £50,000 (+£10,000)
4.50pm The Heidsieck Monopole Mildmay Novices’ Chase £75,000 (+£25,000)
Saturday, April 7
5.15pm The Martell Champion National Hunt Flat Race £30,000 (+£10,000)
This latter race is being generously co-sponsored by Weatherbys and will be re-named the Martell Weatherbys Champion National Hunt Flat Race.
Charles Barnett, Aintree Racecourse’s Managing Director, said today:
“Martell and Aintree are most grateful for the generous support of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and Weatherbys in enabling Aintree to provide additional prize money for these races, and to the British Horseracing Board for allowing the entry concession.
“We will be approaching the Jump Pattern Committee to ask them to consider upgrading the Martell Weatherbys Champion National Hunt Flat Race to Grade One status in view of the exceptional circumstances.”
For further information, please contact Charles Barnett on 0411 880123 or Ian Renton, the Clerk of the Course, on 0836 784543.
