The Cheltenham Festival Explained

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the British and Irish National Hunt horse racing calendar, drawing in thousands of spectators and millions of viewers from around the globe. With its rich history and thrilling races, it is a highlight for both seasoned punters and casual fans alike. In this post, we provide a little bit of an overview of the festival. If you are attending, read our "where to watch article".

When and what?

The Cheltenham Festival, held annually in mid-March, features four days of top-class racing, culminating in the prestigious Gold Cup. From Tuesday to Friday, there are seven races each day with an amazing atmosphere and typically around 60-70,000 spectators per day. The event showcases a variety of races, including hurdles and steeplechases, attracting the best horses, jockeys, and trainers, primarily from the UK, Ireland, and France.

Daily overview and Championship races

Tuesday: Champions Day (Champion Hurdle)

The Tuesday kicks off with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and is greeted by what is known as "The Cheltenham Roar" as the crowd cheer the start of the four days. It's typically a fast-run 2-mile hurdle race and gets the pulse racing from the off! It's followed by the 2-mile chase race for novices, known as The Arkle—a horse that won three Cheltenham Gold Cups in the '60s. The feature race of the day is the Champion Hurdle. It features the best two-mile hurdlers and is typically highly competitive.

Wednesday: Ladies Day (Queen Mother Champion Chase)

Day two starts with another novice hurdle, as did day one, though this one is over a longer distance of 2 miles and 5 furlongs. The feature race is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. This race showcases the top two-mile chasers and often features thrilling finishes.

Thursday: St Patrick's Thursday (Stayers Hurdle)

Thursday arguably has two feature races as it also has the Ryanair Chase, a Grade 1 race over the intermediate trip of two miles four furlongs. It does not have the prestige of the Champion Chase (2 miles) or the Gold Cup (3 miles 2 furlongs), though it can be highly competitive. The feature race is the Stayers' Hurdle, over three miles on the new course, and is typically a test of stamina and endurance. That said, it can be tactical and is a must watch on day three at Prestbury Park.

Friday: Gold Cup Day (Gold Cup)

The pinnacle of the festival, the Gold Cup, is a three-and-a-quarter-mile chase that determines the best staying chaser of the season. It attracts significant attention and is often the focus of expert predictions.

In summary

The Cheltenham Festival is an annual highlight for racing enthusiasts. If you love sport and the thrill of racing, it won't disappoint. Over four days and featuring seven races per day it's the pinnacle of National Hunt racing.

As always, it promises to be an exciting event filled with thrilling races. The Cheltenham Pulse will provide insights into the racing itself with detailed analysis of trainers and jockeys, as well as unique perspectives on trends and form.

You certainly don't need to have a bet to enjoy the racing, and if you do, please gamble responsibly (https://www.gambleaware.org/). However, with the right preparation and knowledge, you can enjoy the Cheltenham Festival to its fullest.

Happy racing!