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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.
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
How To Watch
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.
Day 2: Festival Wednesday (Ladies Day)
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.
Starting on the ground floor, a large side and rear extension has been added in recent years to the existing building creating a reception room to the front of the property along with a double bedroom and en-suite shower room separated by the wide hallway. Past the downstairs WC and through the double hallway doors, you are greeted with a vast entertaining space naturally lit by numerous windows, a skylight and bi-folding doors. To the side, there is a magnificent, contemporary kitchen with every high-end appliance you would need. The large island has plenty of storage and leads you to the large living and dining area. There are multiple Velux windows throughout the property all of which are operated automatically at a touch of a button. Additionally there is a utility room which includes the heating system, water softener and side access.
Sherbrooke Way, Worcester Park £750,000 4
This immaculately presented end of terrace town house is part of the prestigious and sought-after Hamptons development. With living accommodation spread over three floors, this delightful family home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. On the ground floor there is a spacious bright kitchen/family/dining room and cloakroom. The first floor has a large double bedroom with fitted wardrobes with an en-suite shower room and a spacious sitting room with a south facing terrace. On the top floor there is a further three bedrooms and family bathroom. Externally there is parking for two cars and a garage. The rear garden is mainly laid to lawn with a large patio area. The Hamptons is an award-winning development by St James Homes which is set within approximately 30 acres of parkland, there is a residents only gymnasium, tennis courts, children’s play areas and jogging trails.
As you walk in the property you are greeted with a welcoming entrance hall with down stairs WC and then to the rear you will find the newly fitted kitchen and dining room, with a living area to the front of the property. As you make your way up the stairs you are presented with the main living room which gets flooded with light from the large windows. Also on this floor you will find one of the four bedrooms which includes an en-suite. We then make our way to the second floor which benefits from having a three further bedrooms and family bathroom. In addition to this the property also welcomes off street parking for two cars, store / utility room to the side of the property and a landscaped garden which is great for entertaining friends family or just letting the children have a run around in the sun.
In regards to the house, the ground floor offers an entrance hall, two well-proportioned reception rooms, a fitted kitchen and downstairs study/fourth bedroom with WC. Upstairs, you will find three bedrooms, a family bathroom and separate WC. Outside, there is a mature rear garden that extends to approximately 70 feet and is mainly laid to lawn with surrounding trees and shrubs and patio area, whilst to the front of the property there is driveway providing ample off street parking. The property also benefits from having gas central heating and double glazing.
Kaybridge Residential are delighted to bring to market this well presented four/five bedroom semi-detached family home set on the popular road of Thorndon Gardens. The property has benefitted from the addition of a double storey side extension. This means the ground floor offers a spacious kitchen / dining room with double doors to the garden, and a double aspect lounge / dining room with a bay window to the front and a further set of double doors to the rear garden. There is also an addition of a downstairs WC.
As you make your way in to the property you are greeted with the large entrance hall which houses the downstairs WC. To the front you have the reception room which benefits from having a bay window to the front. As we move towards the rear of the property you enter the dining room which has the addition of a rear extension. This then leads us towards the kitchen which has also been extended and has plenty of cupboard and work top space.
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VALUATION
The Broadway, Stoneleigh, Stoneleigh, Epsom KT17 2JE
Kaybridge Residential are delighted to bring to market the opportunity to acquire this original three bedroom semi-detached chalet style property located in Stoneleigh and with easy reach of Nonsuch Park.
The property consists of a spacious entrance hallway leading to the front reception room and study / bedroom three, to the rear is the second reception room and kitchen, as well at the family bathroom.
Cheam Common Road, Worcester Park
3 info@kbridge.co.uk
This extended three bedroom semi detached home offers an abundance of natural light and flexible accommodation. The downstairs accommodation comprises a sizable entrance hallway leading to the front reception room, to the rear of the property is a spacious bright lounge/diner with double doors opening into a patio overlooking the secluded private rear garden. Furthermore, the kitchen/breakfast room is fitted with a range of mounted cabinetry and access to the rear garden.
