Racing News
	Friday 13th March 2020

Cheltenham Festival 2020 – Everything You Need to Know

Be prepared for the biggest dates in the racing calendar as Cheltenham 2020 gets underway! This year’s festival starts on the 10th of March. Here’s everything you need to know about the big races as the four-day racing extravaganza kicks off!

Day One – Tuesday (10 March)
The Unibet Champion Hurdle is the biggest racing event of the day with a prize of £450,000 (Winner: £256,275). The 2020 running will be the 90th running of the Champion Hurdle. This cup has been won by many great racers over the years. Five horses have secured the Unibet Champion Hurdle three times – Istabraq (1998, 1999, 2000), See You Then (1985, 1986, 1987), Persian War (1968, 1969, 1970), Sir Ken (1952, 1953, 1954) and Hatton’s Grace (1949, 1950, 1951).

Day Two – Wednesday (11 March)

The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase looked set to be the race of the Festival. It has a prize of £400,000. The foundations of the past of this race stem from the Coventry Cup, established by Cheltenham in 1928. Only one horse, Badsworth Boy, has won three times. However, there have been 12 dual winners. The first is Fortria (1960-61) and the most recent is Altior (2018 & 2019). Last year, Altior was simply majestic.

Day Three – Thursday (12 March)

The Ryanair Chase is the main attraction on Thursday with a prize-money of £350,000. Did you know that the first three runnings of the race, originally known as the Festival Trophy, were performed at Grade Two level before an improvement in 2008? In 2006, Ryanair came on board as sponsors. Albertas Run, trained by Jonjo O’Neill, is the only two-time winner of the race. In both 2010 and 2011, he was successful and also finished runner-up in 2012.

Day Four – Friday (13 March)

Watch out for Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday! It’s going to be the biggest race of the last day of the festival with a prize-money of £625,000. It’s by far the richest non-handicap chase run in the UK. Only seven horses have won the cup more than once. The two exceptional horses of the early Gold Cup era were dual winner Golden Miller and Easter Hero. During those days, the race was something of a trial for the Grand National.

Cheltenham 2020 is held in the wonderful surroundings of Prestbury Park in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (UK). 260,000 people are expected through the entrances this week. Are you making it to the festival?

Whichever the case, you can easily live out your interest online, through a range of entertaining horse racing games. Gallop Racer, Raceclubs and Past The Post Slot are all great games to try. Past The Post Slot is available at Lucky VIP Casino and does not require download.

If you’re attending the festival, it’s important to know the dress code. Luckily for some, it is more relaxed than at Royal Ascot. Gentlemen usually wear a suit. Fancy dress is not allowed during the festival. However, it is permitted in Tattersalls as long as the outfit is not offensive.