The Cheltenham Cross Country Chase scheduled for Friday, November 13, at Cheltenham Racecourse has been cancelled because of firm, unraceable ground on the Cross Country course. The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will now take place on Saturday, January 30, 2027, as part of Festival Trials Day, which will feature an eight-race programme.
Cheltenham Racecourse announced the decision on Friday, October 16, following an exceptionally dry summer and unseasonably warm temperatures. With little rainfall expected in the coming weeks, the course team concluded that the ground was unlikely to reach a safe condition for racing before The November Meeting.
The racecourse has also been concentrating its resources on preparing the Old Course for The Showcase, scheduled for October 23 and 24. With the Old Course requiring attention to ensure safe racing conditions, irrigation resources have not been available for the Cross Country course.
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase Rescheduled for January
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will return on Saturday, January 30, 2027, during Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham. Its rescheduling will form part of an eight-race card, giving owners, trainers and other participants a new date for the cancelled November contest.
Cheltenham will also arrange a replacement race for Friday, November 13. Working with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF), the racecourse will assess the available options before announcing its decision by Friday, October 30.
The decision will take into account the continuing dry weather and the possibility of further fixture changes across the country. Officials will consider whether a race affected by the conditions elsewhere could be accommodated at The November Meeting.
The cancellation comes amid wider challenges for British racing, with several fixtures already lost because of unsuitable ground conditions. The limited rainfall forecast for the coming weeks has raised concerns about further disruption to the racing calendar.
Jon Pullin Explains Cheltenham’s Decision
Jon Pullin, Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham Racecourse, said the cancellation was disappointing but necessary given the ground conditions and the work required to prepare the Old Course.
He explained that the exceptionally dry summer had continued into early autumn, while the weather forecast offered little prospect of sufficient rainfall to improve the Cross Country course before The November Meeting. As a result, the team’s priority had remained the preparation of the Old Course for the forthcoming fixtures.
Pullin said the racecourse had wanted to announce the cancellation as early as possible so that participants could adjust their plans. He also acknowledged that challenging conditions had already led to the loss of several fixtures across the country.
With further changes possible over the coming weeks, Cheltenham will continue discussions with the BHA and NTF to determine whether a suitable replacement race can be included in the November programme. The racecourse will confirm its decision by October 30.
The Cheltenham Cross Country Chase has been cancelled from the November Meeting because of firm, unraceable ground following a prolonged dry spell. The race will move to Festival Trials Day on January 30, 2027, while Cheltenham Racecourse will announce a replacement race for November 13 by October 30.
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