What is the Festival all about?

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: Champion Hurdle

The Tuesday kicks off with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and is greeted by what is known as "The Cheltenham Roar." 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 is the Champion Hurdle, which is regarded as the highlight of the first day of the festival. It features the best two-mile hurdlers and is typically highly competitive. We delve into the Champion Hurdle in our feature, which will be published soon.

Wednesday: 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 highlight, though, is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. This race is a must-watch for fans of speed and agility. It showcases the top two-mile chasers and often features thrilling finishes. We will publish a feature on this race soon.

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 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 the highlight of day three at Prestbury Park. More on this in our race feature article.

Friday: 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. We will dive into the details of the race and contenders in the feature race section.

In summary

The Cheltenham Festival is always an annual highlight for racing enthusiasts. There have been challenges with overcrowding and pricing in the past, but my experience in recent years is a highly positive one. If you love sport and the thrill of racing, it won't disappoint. Although it's over four days, you can choose any number you wish as tickets are purchased per day. Personally, I would recommend the Tuesday as a great day's racing if you want to only spend one day.

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. However, with the right preparation and knowledge, you can enjoy the Cheltenham Festival to its fullest.

Happy racing!