Why Is Cheltenham’s November Cross-Country Chase Cancelled?
Cheltenham’s cross-country chase is cancelled for November 2026 because the specialist course is too firm to race safely. Friday’s Glenfarclas contest has been moved to 30 January 2027, while the November Meeting remains scheduled for 13-15 November. For anyone with a ticket, a train booked or a horse in an ante-post bet, the distinction matters: one missing race does not mean an abandoned weekend.
Why Was the Glenfarclas Chase Cancelled?
Cheltenham announced the decision on 16 October after an exceptionally dry summer and unusually warm autumn weather. Watering resources had been concentrated on preparing the Old Course, leaving the separate cross-country circuit without sufficient irrigation. The forecast available when that decision was taken offered insufficient rain to make the cross-country ground safe before November’s meeting. Clerk of the course Jon Pullin explained the early announcement:
“We wanted to take the decision to cancel the Cross Country Chase as early as possible to allow participants time to adjust their plans.”
Is Cheltenham’s November Meeting Cancelled?
The meeting is still on the calendar. Friday’s replacement is the Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase, a Class 2 contest over approximately two miles and four furlongs, confirmed by the British Horseracing Authority on 3 November. It belongs to the conventional chase programme, rather than the cross-country circuit. That explains how Cheltenham can replace the Glenfarclas race while keeping a Friday card in place.
Anyone comparing Friday entries should use the replacement race’s conditions, rather than profiles for the cross-country specialists. Saturday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup and Sunday’s Greatwood Hurdle also remain scheduled, subject to subsequent racecourse announcements.
Which Cheltenham Friday Races Are Scheduled?
The racecourse lists this revised programme for Friday 13 November. All times are GMT.
| Time | Race |
|---|---|
| 13:10 | Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle |
| 13:45 | Mucking Brilliant Novices’ Chase |
| 14:20 | Shloer Chase |
| 14:55 | Jilly Cooper Veterans’ Handicap Chase |
| 15:30 | Hyde Novices’ Hurdle |
| 16:00 | Novices’ Handicap Hurdle |
Racing Post’s current card reports good ground, good to firm in places, with watering. The GoingStick reading is 6.7. That description concerns the racing programme; it does not reverse the cross-country cancellation. Before travelling, check for a fresh going report or inspection notice. A published programme is the current plan, rather than a guarantee against another weather decision.
When Will the Cross-Country Chase Be Run?
The rearranged Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is scheduled for Festival Trials Day on Saturday 30 January 2027, creating an eight-race card. That is a separate fixture. November’s cancellation does not establish January’s runners, starting time or ground, and an old November betting market should never be mistaken for the rearranged race.
Paddy Power Gold Cup Odds to Compare
The cross-country race has gone, but Saturday still offers a different betting question. These selections concern the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
Ante-post prices checked on 11 November. Confirm declarations, the market’s non-runner conditions and each-way terms before placing a bet. Our horse racing betting guide explains the options without treating a short price as proof of value.
What Should Ticket Holders and Punters Do?
Check your booking confirmation and ask the seller about your particular ticket. For an existing Glenfarclas wager, consult the bookmaker’s postponement and abandonment rules; settlement depends on the bet’s terms. Pack for the revised Friday programme with our Cheltenham November Meeting dress code guide, and keep the latest racecourse update handy.
Cheltenham still has a weekend to offer, so plan around the races actually listed rather than the cross-country contest that has moved. For betting, let the final declarations and ground guide your choice, then take only a price that suits your assessment and budget.
