The Cheltenham Festival lasts for four magical days and each instalment of action plays its part in the most sensational meeting on the British racing calendar.
The extravaganza is the pinnacle of jump racing all over the world and with the Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and World Hurdle all taking centre stage throughout the week, it is no surprise that racing fanatics flock to the Cotswolds to see the action live.
Each day revolves around a feature race and the action kicks off with the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the week. The two-mile showpiece is as electric as the ‘Cheltenham roar’ which accompanies the first contest of the day and all being well Hurricane Fly will return to Prestbury Park to defend his crown in the race. A sensational display of slick jumping saw him fight off the likes of Peddlers Cross and Menorah in 2011, but there will be a whole host of horses bidding to snatch his crown on Tuesday 13th March. Nicky Henderson’s Sprit Son, Paul Nicholls’ Zarkandar and 2010 winner Binocular will all have the race in their sights, although they will have to be in formidable form to lower the colours of Hurricane Fly.
Wednesday’s racing is all about the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Ladies’ Day is all about passion on the course and fashion in the stands. The sight of the best two mile chasers going head-to-head in the Champion Chase is the highlight of The Festival for many racegoers and this year’s race shouldn’t disappoint. With reigning champion Sizing Europe being aimed at the meeting and with the likes of Big Zeb and Finian’s Rainbow both being aimed at a trip to Cheltenham, it should be a race to savour.
But while speed, accurate jumping and a touch of class are essential to win Wednesday’s feature, it’s all about grit, guts and determination on the Thursday when the best staying hurdlers in training battle it out in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Festival fanatics will need no reminding that Big Buck’s will be in search of an unbelievable fourth consecutive success in the race and the thought of tackling Paul Nicholls’ superstar is a frightening proposition.
However, it is very much a case of saving best until last at Prestbury Park and there is no greatest race than the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the ‘Blue Riband’ of British jump racing. Some of the world’s most famous horses have become a part of Cheltenham’s prestigious history in the Gold Cup and from the likes of Best Mate to Kauto Star and from Desert Orchid to Denman; the list of greats to win the races continues to grow with every incredible Festival that takes place. Long Run will be there to defend his crown after his nail-biting success in 2010, but he will be faced with the likes of Captain Chris, Time For Rupert and maybe even Master Minded as some of the sport’s leading trainers look to lower the colours of the best chaser in the country.