Cheltenham defend decision to run finale | Full Race | 2026 | Racing TV

Cheltenham's Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin defended the decision to run the final race on the card after the discovery of a collapsed drain on the hurdles track.

The final race at Cheltenham on Saturday was run in near darkness and almost 30 minutes after the advertised start time after a hole, possibly caused by a collapsed drain, was discovered, leading to inspections and frantic reconfiguring of the course.

Horses were in the paddock for the Grade Two AIS Novices’ Hurdle when it became apparent there was a problem as ground staff did routine repairing of the ground, leading to much deliberation and jockeys returning to the weighing room.

While the previous race had also taken place on the hurdles course, no runners had appeared to take a false step – but television pictures showed a member of ground staff putting his arm deep into what looked a significant hole.

Nicky Henderson withdrew likely favourite Act Of Innocence and when the race was eventually run it was the Joe Tizzard-trained Kripticjim who passed the post almost as one with Taurus Bay, with the judge able to separate them after a tense wait.

Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME

Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.

Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa

You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm

Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs