Willie Mullins says Cheltenham Festival has 'got too expensive for ordinary punters'

Willie Mullins has blamed declining interest in the Cheltenham Festival on the fixture becoming too expensive for punters.

The multiple Irish champion jumps trainer and reigning champion in Britain was giving his reaction to the raft of changes announced by the Jockey Club, which owns the track.

The Jockey Club carried out a review after attendance for the four day meeting declined for the second year in a row since the meeting was held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The price of tickets, the cost of food and drink and expensive accommodation were blamed for the fall while criticism was levelled at the competitiveness of the races which Mullins continued to dominate.

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In addition in March there were scenes of racegoers waiting to be rescued when their cars became stuck in muddy car parks.

The Jockey Club announced on Thursday there would be alterations to some races, including the Turners' Novices' Chase and Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase becoming handicaps and the National Hunt Chase opened to professional riders, as well as amateurs.

Ticket prices would be frozen, transport links and parking facilities upgraded, but the cost of a pint of Guinness would go up by 30p to £7.80.

The National Hunt Chase was one of three events for the amateur ranks at the Cheltenham Festival, alongside the Kim Muir and the Hunters’ Chase, but from next year that restriction will be lifted.

Mullins has won the Turners a record four times with the likes of Sir Des Champs and Vautour, while he claimed the National Hunt Chase twice as a jockey and four times as a trainer – with changes to the latter race attracting his criticism.

He told Racing TV: “It’s very disappointing for amateur riders that they weren’t consulted and it’s a feature race for amateurs over the years with prestige and history.

“I thought that was a backwards move. They’ve been messing around with the race for years and have not made it any better.”

The Jockey Club has also announced measures to provide “a better experience and value for all visitors”, an area Mullins believes is really in need of attention.

He added: “We all know what is wrong with Cheltenham and it has just got too expensive for ordinary punters to go there for a day’s racing – and if they want to get the people back there, then it’s cost, nothing to do with the horses that are running.”