The British Horseracing Authority are set to launch an investigation into the starts at races following the ongoing chaos at Cheltenham Festival. The 2026 Festival has been marred by a series of false starts, leaving jockeys and punters raging.

The starts have been labelled as ‘shambolic’ by trainer Paul Nicholls, with the authorities vowing to undergo a full review into the factors that might be affecting this. Confirming the investigation in a statement, they said: “The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has today confirmed that a full review will take place into the starts of races at the Cheltenham Festival following its conclusion.

“Following several false starts in 2025, the BHA worked with the PJA and the Jockey Club to discuss the issues that were contributing to the starts. Measured alterations were subsequently made to some starting locations.

“At the same time, work was undertaken with jockeys to ensure that the rules and procedures were understood by all participants ahead of the start of the 2026 Festival.

“Following events this year it is clear that more needs to be done. As such the BHA has committed to launch a full review of the starts at the Cheltenham Festival.”

It continued, emphasising it would only be looking at Cheltenham-specific incidents. It read: “The review will be specific to the Cheltenham Festival. Away from the Festival the evidence is clear that starting procedures are working well, with approximately three in every 100 jump starts resulting in a false start.

“The review will consider factors such as the configuration of the course, the perspectives of riders from differing jurisdiction and licence types, the process of starting the race including the preliminaries and starting process, technology, the penalties and deterrents for rule breaches and the other, varied contributing factors which are unique to the Cheltenham Festival.

“The review will take place in collaboration with the Jockey Club, the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), the Irish Jockeys Association (IJA), National Trainers Federation (NTF) and representatives of jockeys and trainers.

“It will take place in time for any changes to be implemented ahead of the 2027 Festival.”

The false starts have been criticised by pundits, with ITV presenter Ed Chamberlain having dubbed it ‘shambolic’, while Ruby Walsh bemoaned the organisation. He said live on air: He said: “It’s 2026 lads. The tape should have been in front of them when they came onto the track and the tape should move in front of the horses. We can send missiles after fighter planes in the Gulf but nobody can design a rolling fly-away tape. That’s the joke.”