The Cheltenham Festival stands as the pinnacle event for horse racing enthusiasts each year, showcasing a total of 28 races, including 14 elite Grade 1 events.
Prestbury Park becomes a buzzing hub, attracting over 250,000 spectators who witness equine legends etch their names into the annals of racing history.
The hierarchy of National Hunt races is determined by their Grade. The premier tier comprises Grade 1 races, followed by Grade 2, and then Grade 3 races, which have recently been rebranded as ‘Premier Handicaps’.
Apart from these, the Cheltenham Festival features various other races, including standard handicaps for horses not quite up to the standard of Graded races.
These horses are assigned varying weights to theoretically level the playing field. Additionally, there are races exclusively for amateur jockeys.
Of the 38 Grade 1 races held throughout the UK each season, 14 prestigious events take place at the Cheltenham Festival.
These top-tier races, which include both hurdle and fence challenges, generally don’t impose weight penalties, except for a 7lb allowance for mares.
Grade 2 races, a notch below Grade 1, often feature horses capable of competing at the highest level, though they may carry minor penalties to ensure a more balanced competition.
The next tier, Grade 3 races, now known as ‘Premier Handicaps’, represents the elite among handicap races. These include famous events like the Grand National, and successful horses here may aim for Grade 2 competitions.
Cheltenham Festival’s Championship Races:
Each day of the festival is highlighted by a Championship race, with two featured on Thursday. These marquee races are:
Spanning four days, the Cheltenham Festival features a total of 28 races. While opinions on the festival’s highlight may vary based on the big-name horses participating, the Gold Cup, held on the final day, is often regarded as the pinnacle of the event.
Each day’s racing lineup at the Cheltenham Festival is detailed in a racecard, which provides essential information about each horse, including the jockey, trainer, recent performance, age, and occasionally lineage. This comprehensive data aids bettors in making well-informed decisions.
Understanding horse racing form is straightforward once you get the hang of it. For instance, a form reading 125-P4 indicates the horse’s last five races: 1 for a win, 2 for second, 5 for fifth, a dash for a racing break, ‘P’ for being pulled-up, and 4 for fourth place.
Champions Day:
The opening day of the festival, known as ‘Champions Day’, is headlined by the Champion Hurdle. Other key races include the Arkle Novices’ Chase, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and the Mares’ Hurdle.
Festival Wednesday:
Wednesday brings a flurry of Grade 1 races, with the Queen Mother Champion Chase as a standout. Additional highlights include the Champion Bumper, the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, and the unique Cross-Country Chase.
St Patrick’s Thursday:
Celebrated a day in advance, St Patrick’s Thursday is not only a festive occasion but also a day packed with thrilling races on the New Course. The Ryanair Steeple Chase takes center stage, complemented by the Stayers’ Hurdle and the Turners Novices’ Chase.
Gold Cup Day Friday:
The festival’s final day is highly anticipated, culminating in the Gold Cup, a test of both jumping prowess and endurance. Supporting races like the Triumph Hurdle and the Mares’ Chase add to the day’s excitement.
Editor