One of the most anticipated events in the sporting calendar starts tomorrow as thousands of racegoers travel to Gloucestershire to watch the best horses, jockeys and trainers the sport has to offer.
This festival is one in which legends are made and with 28 races spanning across the four days, we’ll have plenty of coverage here at ParkLife Sport. So, let’s take a look at each day…
Day One – Tuesday March 14 – Champion Day
With seven races scheduled for each day, the pick of the bunch from day one is the Unibet Champion Hurdle.
13:30 – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race
14:10 – The Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase
14:50 – The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase
15:30 – The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy
16:10 – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race
16:50 – The Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race
17:30 – The National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
Day Two – Wednesday March 15
On day two, traditionally known as Ladies Day, the course hosts The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase as it’s feature race.
13:30 – The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race
14:10 – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
14:50 – The Coral Cup Hurdle
15:30 – The Betway Queen Mother Champions Steeple Chase
16:10 – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
16:50 – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
17:30 – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Day Three – Thursday March 16 – St Patrick’s Thursday
An Irish racegoer dream as St Patrick’s Day is celebrated on day three with The Ryanair Steeple Chase one to watch.
13:30 – The Turners Novices’ Chase
14:10 – The Pertemps Network Final
14:50 – The Ryanair Steeple Chase
15:30 – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
16:10 – The Magners Plate
16:50 – The Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle
17:30 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Day Four – Friday March 17 – Gold Cup Day
The festival reaches its climax on the final day as the biggest race of the event takes place. The winner taking home, as the name suggests, the Gold Cup.
13:30 – The JCB Triumph Hurdle
14:10 – The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle Race
14:50 – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race
15:30 – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase
16:10 – The St. James’ Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
16:50 – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase
17:30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
The preparation has already begun for those making the trip to Cheltenham with bars and restaurants scouted out in advance.
As for the weather, with forecasts of rain, an umbrella may be a suitable option for anyone attending the festival.
Check out our live blog here.
