The Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle is a Grade 1 contest run on the meetings second day.
Won last year by Peddlers Cross, it’s open to four year old and above novices’, run over two miles and five furlongs, on the Cheltenham Old Course, with a total of twelve hurdles to be jumped.
On the final day of the festival the stands will be packed, with all eyes on the ‘Blue Riband’ event, the Gold Cup. As the most prestigious race in the National Hunt calendar, this Grade 1 event is open to horses aged five years and older. Run on the New Course over three miles, two [...]
The Triumph Hurdle is a race run for four-year-old novices run over a total distance of two miles and one furlong. The race is run on the final day of the Festival and opens the Gold Cup day of The Festival. With this race being for four-year-olds only, it has often pointed to inexperience to [...]
The second race on the opening day, and my personal festival favourite, is the Arkle.
Won last year by Sizing Europe, it’s open to five year old and above novice chasers, run over two miles, on the Cheltenham Old Course, with a total of twelve fences to clear.
The Champion Bumper is a Grade 1 National Hunt flat race run on the second day.
Won last year by Cue Card, it’s open to horses aged between four and six years of age, run over the Cheltenham Old course and covers an extended two mile trip.
With the race still pretty much in its infancy with just six years in the history books, it has thrown up horses we’ve have proved to be equally good over larger obstacles as hurdles. The ill-fated Pride of Dulcote, Gone To Lunch, Over The Creek and similarly ill-fated Wichita Lineman have all done well over [...]
The Grade 1 Champion Hurdle is the highlight of the opening day and the climax of the NH hurdling season. Known for epic finishes, and won last year by Binocular, it’s open to five year old and above horses, run over an extended two miles, on the Cheltenham Old Course, with a total of eight [...]
The World Hurdle is regarded as the feature race of Day 3 of the Festival. Some good horses have won this race down the years, including the ill-fated Inglis Drever who won the race on three separate occasions. Paul Nicholls’ Big Bucks aims to repeat the feat of Inglis Drever before him by winning three [...]
Where better to start than at the very beginning with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The Grade 1 event is the curtain raiser to the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. Won last year by Menorah, it’s open to four year old and above novices’, run over an extended two miles, on the Cheltenham Old Course, with a total [...]
The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle is a Grade 2 event run over two and a half miles, and has been run now for three years. Over the last two years the race has been won by Quevega and trainer Willie Mullins will be sending his superstar racemare to try and complete a historic treble in [...]