Cheltenham Festival 2016

Right now in the UK is one of the most exciting times of the year for horse owners, trainers, and jockeys, as well as those who love to bet on racing!  The Cheltenham Festival 2016 is upon us and will feature the best British and Irish horses and jockeys.  The event runs four days till the 18^th of March with 7 races per day.  Gates open at 10.30am, with the first race beginning at 1.30pm and the last race running at 5.15pm. 

• Tuesday:  Champion Day:  The big event on Champion Day is the Stan James Champion Hurdle, the most critical hurdle race of the season. 

• Wednesday:  Ladies Day:  This is a fashionable day for the ladies to show up in their finest.  The big event?  The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase. 

• Thursday:  St. Patrick’s Day:  Lovers of all things Irish rejoice!  At Cheltenham, you get a chance to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a few days early!  Enjoy the races alongside the best Irish-style entertainment you can imagine.  This is also a day to celebrate the spirit of giving; the St. Patrick’s Derby on Thursday will raise money for the Injured Jockeys Fund.  The high-profile race on Thursday will be the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. 

• Friday:  Gold Cup Day:  This day features another six thrilling races.  The big event is of course the race for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, the crowning race that caps off the whole festival.  Who will win this high honour?  You will just have to watch and see.

“Can I still get in?”

If you hurry, yes!  There are still tickets available for all four days, both at the top and bottom of the price range.  Tickets are selling out fast though.  So if you are planning on showing up at Cheltenham for the races, don’t delay.  There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being right there in the middle of all of the excitement and casting your bets as you watch the races live. 

“What if I can’t make it?”

Can’t make it to the racecourse, but still want to watch the races or bet on them?  You’re in luck, because the entirety of the festival will broadcast live on Channel 4.  BBC Radio 5 Live will also likely provide coverage of the events, just as they have in previous years.  You can also view the horse races streamed live from bookmakers which include up-to-date coverage of the event and the odds at any time.  Cheltenham Festival guides like these are very helpful for doing your research before the races begin.  You want to go in armed with plenty of knowledge so you can make smart bets during the festival.

The Cheltenham Festival is a very exciting event every year, and this year is shaping up to be more thrilling than ever!  So order those tickets or plan to watch Channel 4 on March 15^th-18^th so that you can get a piece of the action! Read more about the history of the Cheltenham Festival or visit the the racecourse's official website.