Darren Skelton / 18 March 2010 Free Bet View Market

"The festival, often described as the “working man’s” festival, an antithesis to the Ascot for the higher echelons, belongs to the people and they should have some say in how it’s ran - after all its their money that keeps it operational."

So often when I write about Cheltenham I compare it to Christmas and there are many reasons why I do so. Firstly, racing fans get excited about Cheltenham the way kids do about Christmas, that's the obvious one. Secondly, when we over indulge at Christmas we use the excuse that "Ah it's the festive season, sure we're allowed to eat and drink a bit more" - I think people feel the same way about gambling at Cheltenham.

However, if someone decided that they were to make Christmas a two day event and were going to move it to the 27th I think people would, rightfully, be a bit peeved off. How can somebody own Christmas and move it as they see fit? There are many that will feel the same way about Cheltenham. The festival, often described as the "working man's" festival, an antithesis to the Ascot for the higher echelons, belongs to the people and they should have some say in how it's ran - after all its their money that keeps it operational.

The decision to make Cheltenham Festival a four day event has diluted what used to be three days of top class racing. This week we saw some races that wouldn't even make top of the bill on a Saturday afternoon, never mind the middle of Cheltenham week. As well as taking the gloss off the festival it also makes things extremely difficult for everyday punters, and let's acknowledge the elephant in the room - with more races, more poor races - people will lose their money a lot easier and a lot sooner. Good for the bookies, bad for the punter, and ultimately, bad for the sport.

In 2012 they plan on moving the festival to a Wednesday start and a Saturday finish, but unbelievably they're going to keep the Gold Cup, the highlight of the week, on the Friday. This of course means that the week will no longer be a crescendo of Horse Racing brilliance but instead more of a "Rubato" (look it up), with a huge anti-climax at the end. People will watch the Gold Cup and then more than likely not be too bothered about the next day. That next day, by the way, will have to compete with Premiership football and 6 Nations Rugby, and every other manner of sport that calls Saturday its home. Yes, racing does have a place on a Saturday, but the Big racing, the really big special days, deserve...well...special days.

The recession has played its part in silencing that "Cheltenham Roar" this week (did anyone notice it being the quietest for many a year?) - Unfortunately there was a drop in Irish numbers this year. I believe that we need to be more protective of the festival, I don't expect them to back track on the four days but there is time to stop the decision to move it to a weds-sat event which will surely drive the third nail into the coffin.