There were 44,151 in attendance for the track’s seven-race card, which was headlined by the Grade Two Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle. The track does not reach its maximum capacity at meetings outside the Cheltenham Festival, where temporary structures increase the size of facilities significantly, but the bumper crowd was still able to surpass one of the quieter days at the key March meeting as last year’s Champion Chase day attendance figure was 41,949. Cheltenham’s chief executive Guy Lavender said: “We’re delighted to have welcomed a record crowd of 44,151 for racing today, meaning the fixture has sold out for the first time. This is a truly special day, with a brilliant atmosphere that embodies everything that is great about jump racing. “This meeting caps off a brilliant Christmas period for racing and we hope sets the tone for a positive 2026.”

Source: Express January 01, 2026 16:50 UTC