A sense of anticipation is already building at Cheltenham as organisers announce a notable shift in the 2026 Festival schedule: the Grade One Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle will now feature on St Patrick’s Thursday, rather than Champion Day. For many racing fans, this move signals a fresh chance for the celebrated mares’ race to shine in the spotlight it deserves.
The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, officially registered as the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, has been a fixture at The Festival since 2008. Named in honour of the late trainer and jockey David Nicholson, it became a Grade One race in 2015, cementing its status as the pinnacle of the mares’ programme. The Willie Mullins-trained Quevega famously won it six consecutive times from 2009 to 2014, a record still etched in Cheltenham lore.
The change to St Patrick’s Thursday brings a slight alteration to the race distance as it moves to the New Course: 2m 4f 56y, up from 2m 3f 200y on the Old Course. To accommodate the switch, the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase now moves to Champion Day, while the Ryanair Chase and Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle have swapped times to improve the running order.
Jon Pullin, Head of Racing at The Jockey Club and Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham Racecourse, explained the reasoning behind the adjustments: “Having previously been run on Champion Day, the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle was always somewhat in the shadow of the Unibet Champion Hurdle. By moving to St Patrick’s Thursday, we feel the race will receive more attention and coverage a Grade One contest of this stature merits.”
Pullin also highlighted the broader impact on the mares’ programme: “Over the last 20 years, the number of mares in training in Great Britain has risen from 18% to almost 25%. Memorable Festival moments from Honeysuckle to Epatante underscore just how vital this programme has been for our sport.”
Simon Cox, Chair of the BHA’s Jump Pattern Committee, added: “The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle deserves a prominent position. Its evolution has contributed to top-quality mares entering training, and the benefits are clear—five of the last ten Champion Hurdles have been won by mares.”
In addition to the schedule adjustments, Cheltenham has announced several changes to starting positions and maximum field sizes following a detailed review with the BHA inspectorate. The aim is to improve race starts, enhance safety, and maintain the integrity of the Festival programme. Key adjustments include removing certain start positions on the Old and New Courses and reducing maximum field sizes for several handicap and novice races.
With the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle now taking centre stage on St Patrick’s Thursday, Festival-goers can expect a more balanced programme across all four days, ensuring each day offers at least three Grade One contests. The changes reflect the Festival’s ongoing evolution and commitment to giving every race the attention it merits.
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