Cheltenham Festival News
	Tuesday 22nd September 2015

Your Complete Guide to the Cheltenham Festival

The momentous occasion that is the Cheltenham festival, its four days of dramatic racing from the pinnacle of the jump racing season. This guide is just an idea to help you get the most of this legendary event.

Location

Cheltenham racecourse is found in a natural amphitheatre in the stunning Gloucestershire countryside, yet close by to Cheltenham town centre, the M5 and local railway station. It’s an ideal location for both access and picturesque views.

History

Although races date back to 1815 in Cheltenham it wasn’t till 1818 that an event was held at the current site. This was obviously a success from day one and a grandstand was built the following year. The racecourse has grown in stature and size until the first Cheltenham festival was held in 1911 since then to modern times it has stamped itself as one of the established UK’s premier sporting events.

The New Grandstand

The Cheltenham racecourse is currently undergoing a 45 million pound transformation; with a new grandstand due to be unveiled for 2016. This will offer an increase of 5000 capacity over the current stand as well as featuring the new royal box, one of the most exciting additions to the racecourse and racing for years!

Races & Days

The Cheltenham festival is set over four days, with exciting and dramatic racing running over each of the days.

Day One, Champions Day

Hear the legendary roar for the start of the opening race. With the highlight of the days racing the Champions Hurdle, one of the most important and prestigious races of the British racing season. The Ankle Trophy is also a noteworthy race alongside the Supreme Novice Hurdle.

Day Two, Ladies Day

As synonymous with fashion as with racing, Ladies day is a festival of colour and has become many highlight to their social calendar. The feature race on the Wednesday is the Queen Mother Champion race always a hotly fought out contest. The Neptune Novice Hurdle, RSA chase and Champion Bumper are all exciting to watch with the latter becoming many a race goer’s favourite of the festival.

Day Three, St Patricks Day

Coinciding with St Patricks Day means Thursday sees a true social event with live music, tremendous atmosphere and of course a Guinness or two. It also sees some fantastic racing with the Ladbrokes World Hurdle leading the way a race where traditionally the favourite has a good chance alongside the exhilarating Ryanair Chase.

Day Four, Gold Cup Day

The final day of the Cheltenham festival truly builds to a spectacular climax, with the highlight of the day and probably event the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Other notable hurdle races make up the days racing, like the Triumph Hurdle which starts the day’s action. Although everyone in the racing world will be glued to the action in this legendary finale to the event.

Betting

Don’t be afraid to bet, but in the same light don’t feel pressured to bet it’s not a mandatory part of the day. A one pound bet can be just as exhilarating as placing a hundred pound bet. Be sensible set a limit at the start of the day and stick to it, no matter how well or badly you are doing. Spread your bets over the day you want some money left to bet in the later races.

What to wear

The outfit to wear to Cheltenham is one you feel most comfortable in. you could go dressed to the nines in tweed but if it’s not what you usually wear you could fall in the trap of looking silly. But it is an event to remember so you might want to choose something a bit smarter than jeans and a t-shirt. Ladies, it’s always a good excuse to dress up for the occasion and Lady’s day is the pinnacle of showing off that style and special dress you have been saving or yet to buy. Remember heels might look good at the start of the day but may soon wear thin especially on the grass, so a set of comfy handy to carry shoes in the handbag could be a saviour.

I hope this guide gives some idea of what to expect at this fantastic event, and leaves you wanting a taste of the day. For businesses looking for that memorable day, Team Tactics provide the complete Cheltenham Festival Hospitality package for 2016.