The Festival
Cheltenham


The Cheltenham Festival is the undoubted highlight of the Jumps season – four days famous for top-quality sport, intense Anglo-Irish rivalry, frenzied betting action and a unique atmosphere during and after racing.

Virtually every top Chaser and Hurdler is aimed at the Festival from the start of the season and, for jumps racing fans too, all roads lead to Cheltenham in March. Racegoers from across Britain and Ireland return year after year for a meeting guaranteed to provide a host of magic memories.

The Smurfit Champion Hurdle takes pride of place on day one – the ultimate test of speed, stamina and jumping ability over two miles. From Night Nurse to Istabraq, this is where the hurdling greats have proved themselves.

The two-mile chasers take centre stage on day two in the Queen Mother Champion Chase – a race which has featured some of the most memorable finishes up the famous Cheltenham hill.

The Ladbrooks World Hurdle now has star billing on day three. This is the Championship race for Stayers over three miles.

The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup – the heavyweight championship for Chasers – is the highlight of the final day. Run over a gruelling three and a quarter miles, the race has made household names of Arkle (hat-trick winner in 1964-66), Desert Orchid (1989) and Best Mate (2002 -04).

Apart from the big three races, the novice events for Hurdlers and Chasers are championships in their own right, while the handicaps are among the most fiercely contested races in the Jumps season.

The racing, the famous Cheltenham roar, the Irish craic, the picturesque backdrop of the Cotswolds – nothing can beat four days at the Festival.