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
Stunning, modern, detached family house comprising, five double bedrooms, three reception rooms and 3-bathrooms and a ground floor WC. It is also close to Richmond Park as well as some of the area’s best private and state schools, including Coombe Hill Infants and Juniors which is just 100mtrs away, Holy Cross, Marymount International & Rokeby. The principal bedroom has French doors opening up onto a small courtyard with steps leading up to your own private south easterly garden. This area makes a great outdoor eating and entertaining area and is mainly paved.
Fernhill Gardens, Kingston Upon Thames
£1,200,000
This three bedroom detached house would make an ideal acquisition for those buyers looking for a home to refurbish and extend (subject to usual consents). The property boasts a 52 ft deep sunny southerly aspect rear garden, a garage and off street parking.
Fernhill Gardens is a quiet residential street in the much sought after North Kingston area just a short walk from the shops at Ham parade, you wont have to walk far to enjoy a coffee or pick up some essentials. The beautiful wide open spaces of Richmond park and Ham Common are close by, providing excellent destinations for Sunday afternoon strolls or picnics. What we suspect will tempt parents most however, is that this home falls in The Kingston Academy catchment area.
020 8239 0535 / 020 8274 2658
129 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5BZ sales@greenwoodsresidential.co.uk I lettings@greenwoodsresidential.co.uk
Belgrave Road, Pimlico
Guide Price £850,000
An exceptionally, large, two double bedroom two bathroom garden flat, located in this attractive period building; comprising of a fabulous spacious reception/dining room with feature fire place, fully integrated kitchen with dishwasher, electric hob and oven. There are two full sized double bedrooms both have large built in wardrobes, the master has a fully tiled ensuite shower room, there is also a full sized separate bathroom with shower over bath, adjacent to the second double bedroom. Good sized private patio rear garden, with mature shrubs, perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Kings Road, Kingston Upon Thames
OIEO £700,000
The property is flooded with lots of natural light and offers a good sense of space measuring approximately 848 sq.ft. The ground floor has a bright reception room with separate dining room leading onto a well equipped kitchen. The first floor accommodates a large 14ft main bedroom with built in storage, bedroom two enjoys a delightful aspect over the rear garden. A spacious modern family bathroom with under floor heating concludes the accommodation.
Located on the sought after Kings Road in the heart of North Kingston, a stones throw away from Richmond Park with Canbury Gardens and the River Thames only moments away.
An exceptionally, large, two double bedroom two bathroom garden flat, located in this attractive period building; comprising of a fabulous spacious reception/dining room with feature fire place, fully integrated kitchen with dishwasher, electric hob and oven. There are two full sized double bedrooms both have large built in wardrobes, the master has a fully tiled ensuite shower room, there is also a full sized separate bathroom with shower over bath, adjacent to the second double bedroom. Good sized private patio rear garden, with mature shrubs, perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Sherfield Close, New Malden £250,000
Belgrave Road, Pimlico Guide Price £850,000 AVAILABLE AVAILABLE greenwoodsresidential.co.uk
Located in one of New Malden’s most affordable and upcoming areas, this is a one double bedroom second (top) floor purpose-built flat comprising of; entrance hall, good sized living/dining room, separate kitchen with fitted units and grey worktops, good sized tiled bathroom with shower over bath, and large double bedroom with fitted floor to ceiling wardrobes. The property also has a large loft space ideal for storage and free residential parking. It is located just a short 5 minute walk to local shops, it has good transport links by bus and train, local parks and easy access to A3. The property has laminate flooring throughout and has just been fully repainted so its ready for someone to move into and make it their new home.
020 8239 0535 / 020 8274 2658
129 Richmond Road, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT2 5BZ sales@greenwoodsresidential.co.uk I lettings@greenwoodsresidential.co.uk
Richmond Road, Flat 3
£235,000
The studio has its own front door on the side of the building which leads into an entrance hall and then a large kitchen/reception/bedroom the kitchen is open plan with gas hob and oven, fridge freezer, washing machine and dining area. pace for a dining table and 4 chairs, the living area has a built in wardrobe and pull down double bed, at the rear of the flat there are double glazed patio doors leading into the private rear patio garden which is gated and fenced. Just off the main entrance is a modern fully tiled shower room with basin and WC. The property is finished to a good standard and is neutrally decorated throughout and has laminate flooring.
Oyster Street, Portsmouth
£585,000
AVAILABLE
Situated in the very heart of Old Portsmouth, opposite Portsmouth Cathedral, Oyster Street is the perfect, quiet, yet ideally central location, just a stone’s throw from the harbour entrance and the Round Tower and with exceptional views to the Isle of Wight and the Solent.
