5 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
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£975,000
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A quietly situated Five bedroom detached residence located within the highly regarded Hertfordshire village of Pirton. This spacious home offers flexible accommodation over two floors and forms part of a small development of three individual properties. Benefits include a large reception hall, a generous open plan living space with a fabulous kitchen area, fireplace with multi-fuel burner, high vaulted ceilings, exposed beams. underfloor heating and double glazing. The Church, school, local shop, 2 pubs, cricket club and village duck pond are just a few minutes walk with the market Town of Hitchin a short drive away.
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£950,000
Ivy Farm Barns comprises a small private gated community of three properties featuring a pair of four double bedroom barns with generous plots. The contemporary split-level design takes full advantage of the views over the gardens and open countryside. The properties have two en-suite bedrooms with two additional double bedrooms and shower room on the lower ground floor. The upper floor design has a large open plan kitchen/dining/family room with huge windows offering amazing views of the surrounding countryside. The upper floor also has a separate lounge and home office. The properties occupy generous plots and both have a large double garage with electric doors.
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A three bedroom semi detached property occupying a generous plot backing onto a nature and conservation area. The accommodation is offered chain free, clean and tidy and ready for immediate occupation. The property has a large garage with its own drive to the side. The large garden lends itself to extend the house or to accommodate a garden office. Fallowfield is a small residential road tucked away yet central for good local schooling, Leagrave and Town Centre stations, Junctions to the M1 and Airport.
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18 Market Place, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 1DB
Manor Grange, Ortensia Drive
£450,000
A BRIGHT and airy DETACHED house with three good size bedrooms, an en-suite shower room and downstairs WC. The kitchen is equipped with INTEGRATED appliances including oven, hob, dish/ washer, washing machine and fridge/freezer. There will be just four Stafford house types at Manor Grange.
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Oakwell Place, Thorn Road
£465,000
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