6 minute read
THE 2023 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL I
f you’re a keen follower of the UK’s equestrian scene, you’ll already be well aware of the excitement that’s just around the corner. March welcomes the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most noteworthy gatherings in the Great Hunt racing calendar. It’s known for having an unbeatable atmosphere, with the crowd’s Cheltenham Roar becoming a thing of legend. There’s an argument to be made for Cheltenham being the second biggest horse racing event we have—in terms of prize money, only the Grand National is more significant!
Last year’s Cheltenham Festival was ground breaking in many ways. First of all, the total attendance across all four days was the highest in the festival’s history, with 280,627 horse racing fans gathering to witness the action. What’s more, we also saw the monumental achievement of Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the prestigious Gold Cup. (This came after making history with her Grand National win in 2021.) We’re looking forward to this year’s festival, and hoping that we see similarly huge turnouts and great moments. Here’s a little more about the history of the Cheltenham Festival, and some guidance for this year’s festivities, so that both seasoned viewers and budding racing enthusiasts can get stuck in!
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A Brief History
The Cheltenham Festival was started in 1860, but it has not always been the event we know and love today. Originally, the event was called the Grand National Hunt Meeting, and the first iteration was run in Market Harborough. Since then, its location frequently changed, with most Meetings being held at Warwick Racecourse. However, thanks to significant investment in the infrastructure of the racecourses at Prestbury Park, the Meeting was moved permanently to Cheltenham starting in 1911. It is unclear when the name of the event was officially changed.
As we mentioned previously, the Gold Cup is the most prestigious prize to be won at Cheltenham. It was created in 1924 with the purpose of being a supporting race for the County Hurdle, but over time it became more highly regarded, eventually becoming the most highly anticipated race of the event. The Stayers’ Hurdle, however, is the oldest existing race to have championship status, having first been run in 1912.
In 2005, the Cheltenham Festival began to span four days, doubling the original duration. It now features a total of 28 races—7 on each day— with at least one championship race per day.
Get ready for one of the most exciting weeks in the racing season!
How To Watch
Guide
Let’s now take a look at the order of events for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. In the interest of space we will only cover the championship races, but we highly recommend tuning in to watch the others too! Championship races are the pinnacle of prestige at Cheltenham, attracting the best competitors and highest prize pots. In official terms, they are ‘Grade 1’—the highest calibre of jumps race you can get. Each day’s main event will be highlighted.
Day 1: Champion Day
1:30pm Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race
2:10pm Arkle Challenge Trophy
3:30pm Champion Hurdle
4:10pm Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race
Day 2: Festival Wednesday (Ladies Day)
1:30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race
2:10pm Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase 3:30pm Queen Mother Champion Chase 5:30pm Champion Bumper
If you’re not attending the Festival, don’t worry! You’ll be able to watch most of the important races on ITV, which continues to build its reputation as the home of racing in Britain. Not all races will be televised, however, so make sure you check for yourself to avoid disappointment.
Preview
Let’s look at some noteworthy names and favourites that will be competing at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.
First up, Facile Vega is a very prominent horse that is booked to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, after already winning the Champion Bumper last year. Some say he is yet to reach his full potential, however, so there’s a chance it doesn’t play out as planned.
Next, the star of last year’s Festival is back. Constitution Hill will be running the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, and is set to continue his unbeaten streak with another statement victory.
Finally, we have the reigning champion defend his title in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday. Energumene will have some tougher competition this time around, but experts are still convinced he is the horse that will lead the pack.
2:50pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 3:30pm Cheltenham Gold Cup
Redwood Drive, Bradley
Offers Around £375,000
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Road, Salendine Nook Offers Around £350,000
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Offered with no onward chain and painstakingly remodelled is this extended semi-detached home perfectly suited to the requirements of modern families and young professionals alike. Natural light in abundance flooding in through the floor to ceiling windows, skylights bay windows and internal glass curtain walls all complimenting the crisp white decor, finished off by the contemporary kitchen and a sleek house bathroom and en-suite to match. Located near the villages of Salendine Nook and Lindley which support a wide range of shops, restaurants, leisure, recreational amenities, and professional services. There are several primary schools, a high school, and a general hospital also close at hand. As you would expect from a property of this calibre there is a gas fired central heating system, sealed unit double glazing and a security alarm system. Outside is ample off road parking and garden space to both the front and rear which at the rear adjoins the local recreation area.
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Offers Over £350,000
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Only upon inspection will the stunning, spacious and thoughtfully laid out accommodation be appreciated, having been modernised, remodelled and improved to now provide an exceptional 4 double bedroom, family home. Occupying a popular residential suburb with a bustling village full of amenities, the town centre and countryside around Castle Hill all close at hand. Which together contributes to making this an ideal location for busy professionals and families alike.
Newsome Road, Newsome Offers Around £200,000
A beautifully presented and generously proportioned 3 bedroom, bay fronted semi detached home located only a stones, throw away from the daily amenities of the village centre nearby and only a short drive from the countryside surrounding Castle Hill and the businesses of the town center. Enjoying a similarly generous rear garden which has been landscaped in to an easily managed and enclosed space ideal for todays busy families and professionals alike. The accommodation itself enjoys a reception hall, lounge, dining room, open plan kitchen adjacent, 3 bedrooms, attic space with skylight and easily accessed via a pull down ladder, house bathroom, off road parking and the aforementioned gardens.GFCH system and majority sealed unit double glazing will also be found. NO UPWARD CHAIN
Station Road, Golcar Offers Around £180,000
STYLISH COTTAGE SET OUT OVER THREE FLOORS WHICH BLENDS CONTEMPORARY PRESENTATION WITH TRADITIONAL CHARACTER. Located in a popular semi rural village with an abundance of village amenities and ideally suited to the young growing family market due to the regarded local schools nearby. Upon inspection on the ground floor you will find a separate office ideal for those who work from home and a generous lounge. At the lower ground floor level there is a spacious fitted dining kitchen with direct access to the garden and which is further supported by a utility room and a pantry/store room. On the first floor are three bedrooms and a house bathroom which is fitted with a three piece white suite. At the rear is an attractive and low maintenance garden with views down the Colne Valley. Well worthy of a detailed inspection.
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When you step inside this executive family home you are sure to be impressed with the presentation of the property and the position which takes in the far reaching views at the rear. Having been the subject of numerous improvements and ideally suited to the professional and family market due to the convenience of local and regional financial centres along with the abundance of countryside on your doorstep and the ability to access shops, services and leisure facilities only a stones throw away down at the Tandam retail complex.
