The Cheltenham Festival captivates millions, but perhaps the most intriguing thing about the four-day event is its influence on the town, not just financially, but structurally.
In a nook just outside of the town centre, Wyman’s Brook, which is situated just over a mile from the famous Prestbury Park – pays homage to numerous Gold Cup champions.
Our journey through the ages begins at Windyridge Road which after a left turn, brings the sign for Mandarin Way into view, acting as the gateway to suburbia.
Here’s where things get interesting, as Mandarin is an eponym for the 1962 victor, ridden by Fred Winter.
Mandarin pipped Pas Seul to the title that year, you can also find Pas Seul Street, the winner in 1960 just a few hundred metres from the old estate.
Attached to Mandarin Way, which also has a bar at Prestbury Park named after it, just past the namesake bus stop, is a small cul-de-sac called Fortina Close.
This pays homage to the French thoroughbred Fortina, who won the 1947 edition of the cup.
As you move Eastbound around the fitting horseshoe shape of Mandarin Way, on the right lies Pendil Close, oddly, the horse is the only name on this tour that hasn’t won a Gold Cup, he was pipped to the post by The Dikler who pipped him to the post in 1972 – although Pendil got revenge a year later in the handicap.
Back to Mandarin Way where Ballinode Close lies to commemorate the second winner of the trophy after the competition was changed from the race on Cleeve Hill to Prestbury Park – the format we know well today.
Moving back around to our starting point with Windyridge Road, which provides tranquillity for residents, contrasting to the buoyant tomfoolery of the competition itself.
Now it would be unfair to build such a labyrinth of suburban streets without honouring Golden Miller, the most successful Gold Cup horse.
Golden Miller Road celebrates the Basil Briscoe and Evan Williams trained horse that won five consecutive trophies in the historical event.
Another mainstay in the Festival line-up was Arkle, who now has the Novices Chase named after him.
In tribute to the Irish thoroughbred is Arkle Close – a small circular dead end with houses ballooning spherically around it.
The new development stars the Prince Regent Road, which funnels behind the Prince of Wales Athletics Stadium, citing the winner of the first post-World War Two race.
The year 1993 meant a new hero stepped into the racing line-up, Irish-bred British-trained Jodami triumphed.
He earned owner John Yeadon £478,360 throughout a glittering career and is honoured through Jodami Crescent in the same estate.
Legendary Gold Cup stalwart Denman also features in the more modern-looking segment of the housing area with Denman Avenue – the name of the 2008 Gold Cup victor.
There isn’t, however, a road that commemorates the first-ever winner of the trophy, Red Splash, 100 years ago in 1924.
The 100th Cheltenham Gold Cup gets underway at 15:30 this afternoon, with more coverage of that one set to come here on Park Life Sport.
