Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham festival racing information website will focus on providing

2011-09-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham festival racing information website will focus on providing information, free tips on the latest horse racing odds and as all relevant information on the festival and is available in a central location.

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New Web site, select the best horses and trained as a jockey on the cover feature of health and career information such as wins and losses and other career statistics.

The Cheltenham Festival 2012 video camera crew and three reporters who upload videos to the Web site will be available as soon as the festival will be on staff.

The staff will report on the following days:

Tuesday 13th March - Champion Day
Wednesday 14th March - Ladies Day
Thursday 15th March - St Patrick's Thursday
Friday 16th March - Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Day

Simon Pegg has been announced Cheltenham Festival

2011-08-16T06:45:00.000-07:00

Simon Pegg has been announced Cheltenham Film Festival is held as trustee.

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He is a actor, comedian, writer and director, who was born in nearby Gloucester, said it was "really important" for him to support the event.

"I'd love to see the film festival take its place alongside its more established counterparts," he said.

Parabola Arts Center Festival in November will take place on weekends.

"It's really important for me to support the festival. It's what I love and it's where I'm from.

'Extremely proud'

"Cinema is as important in smaller towns and cities as it is in the bigger ones.

"I grew up going to the cinema in Cheltenham and Gloucester, so it feels fitting to be associated with the festival.

"I'm extremely proud not only to be a patron but also to see such an event is taking place in my home county," he added.

It is unlikely he will be able to attend the festival in person because of diary commitments.

Festival director Martin Pilkington said: "We are so excited to have Simon Pegg's support as patron of the Cheltenham Film Festival. It's a huge honour."

Cheltenham Festival race in place in New Zealand for New grabs for the winner

2011-05-30T03:21:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham Festival race in place in New Zealand than New for grabs for the winner.

Cheltenham Racecourse chiefs and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) exciting opportunity for a horse show in March at Prestbury Park for the meeting has received offers to travel.

Cheltenham Dream 24-race series based on a points competition in which each generation in terms of grade point edge runs from May to October.

This New Zealand's most spectacular and permanent jump horse racing is designed to identify and hurdlers and chasers for both is open.

Horse that won the series in the UK transport costs and a Festival championship race to a place in a major pay awards will be offered connection.

Karlos and Mali Juraj early leaderband is headed who have won Grade Two races at Waikato.

Andre Klein, National Jump Racing Manager for NZTR, said: "We are delighted to be in a position to promote this series and sincerely hope that the winner takes up this generous offer from the team at Cheltenham Racecourse and heads to the Festival next March.

"New Zealand is a country that harbours a strong passion for jump racing.

"It produces excellent horsemen and outstanding horses and there can be no better place on earth to showcase that, than in front of the vast crowds at the Festival.

"I can imagine the whole of New Zealand tuning into watch if a New Zealand runner makes it to the starting line and the dream becomes reality.

"I have no doubt the best in New Zealand can be competitive against the best in Europe."

Cheltenham's director of racing Simon Claisse said: "We are excited about the prospect of a horse travelling from New Zealand to compete in one of the top races at the Festival, which will add to the huge interest in the meeting around the world.

"We'll be following the progress of the series with great interest."

Cheltenham Festival 2011 - Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase

2011-03-22T13:37:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham Festival scare at Naas

2011-03-09T11:52:00.000-08:00

Cheltenham Festival just started day when a top jockey men a bad cut on his face constantly before falling Ruby Walsh had a scare at Naas.

The latest scare comes near Cheltenham where Irish trainer Willie Mullins primarily Walsh and Paul Nicholls for Ditcheat handler ride is a powerful book.

In comparison trainer Michael Mulvany and Tim Carroll 7lb claimer for first impressions went to 33-1 shot.

Mulvany said, "First Impressions appreciated the step up in trip but these maiden hurdles are very hard to win and I didn't think he'd win one. He likes nice ground and will have no problem staying three miles".

"He is a nicely related horse and his dam is closely related to Florida Pearl and he should make a very nice chasing prospect next season."

Co Antrim-based trainer Harry Smyth won his first for almost seven years when the cast of men under Cantrell 7lb conditional Mattie Bowes chicken and deer barrier disruption parties descended on.

Smyth said, 'I have four horses in training and I only work with cast-offs from other yards! I was given Cantrell by his previous owners and the good thing about training cast-offs is at least nobody expects anything of you'.

Doyle said, "He has small feet and is a light horse but had been working very well".

"We would have been happy with a first four or five finish today though and he'll have one more run before going to Punchestown."

James Ewart runners at the Cheltenham Festival

2011-02-28T10:46:00.000-08:00

James Ewart have also runners at the Cheltenham Festival when he saddles Aikman and Captain Americo in next month.

The Dumfriesshire trainer license held for seven years before this season and think they have enough horses on them.

Aikman has choice of five entries with a wonderful book their place at Huntingdon previous week Minella Sydney Memorial banks'Novices hurdle win in the class.

Captain Americo four-mile National Hunt Chase at Newcastle in January for Prince on Wayward Wetherby behind victory and a third position recently on the following courses.

He said, "Aikman has come out of the race very well and I think he now will have the opportunity to go to Cheltenham".

He has five entries and the only one he definitely won't run in is the Supreme. I would prefer not run in the two handicaps he's in even though he's now as short as 16-1 for the Coral.

He's in the Martin Pipe Handicap as well, but probably his choices will be the Neptune or the Albert Bartlett.

Captain Americo goes for the National Hunt Chase and is in tip-top form. He was ridden out this morning and is as good as ever.

Cheltenham is a very special place and you only go there when you believe you have something you have a chance with. I've been training for seven years and we've never had a runner at the Festival.

This year we will have two. We are only going there with Aikman and Captain Americo because they truly represent the best chances we've ever have had of a runner with potential to be placed or even possibly win a race."

Pipe heads off classy Crus

2011-02-21T14:45:00.000-08:00

To the Ladbrokes World Hurdle some spice has been added by Grands Crus at the Cheltenham Festival expressed by David Pipe.

The six-year-old grey has thrown down the gauntlet to the hat-trick-seeking Big Buck's after claiming three wins on the bounce.

We knew Grands Crus was going to win at Cheltenham in November and go on to win at Haydock a week later," the Pond House handler told the Daily Mail.

"Horses like Grands Crus don't come around very often. It's like he gets tunnel vision on the track.

"We may tow Big Buck's to the last hurdle, or all the way to the line.
"It's certainly added some spice to the race.

"He is potentially the most exciting horse I've taken to Cheltenham."

Cheltenham ruled out for Pady

2011-02-17T05:31:00.000-08:00

Tom Cooper has discard the Cheltenham Festival from Forpadydeplasterer's agenda - but his stable star still has a opportunity of making the Punchestown Festival.

Ryanair, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Gold Cup entries was banned for Forpadydeplasterer on Wednesday after his journey to Kempton for the rescheduled King George VI Chase left a mark.

"He came back from Kempton a very sick horse and I think making the two trips to Kempton, first in December and then when the race was rearranged, put paid to him," said Cooper.

"I thought last week we were looking good for Cheltenham but I'd rather not take him over again so soon.

"I'll keep him over here for the rest of this season and hopefully he'll be ready to run at Punchestown."

Walsh 11-10 to be top Cheltenham rider again

2011-02-10T13:22:00.000-08:00

To ride the most winners at next month's Cheltenham Festival,LADBROKES have made Ruby Walsh their 11-10 favourite.

To overtake Pat Taaffe's record of 25 festival winners,Walsh had won three successes last year.He has been absent with a broken leg since November, but aims to return to race-riding by the end of this month.

For the previous two years he has been leading rider at the meeting and can look forward to the pick of champion trainers Paul Nicholls' and Willie Mullins' runners.

Next best in the betting for the award, which is sponsored by tailors Thomas Pink, is Barry Geraghty at 3-1.

He claimed the title in 2003 with five triumphs, while Tony McCoy, four winners shy of Walsh's overall record of 27,is a 6-1 shot.

Champion Chase on Somersby agenda

2011-02-04T08:49:00.001-08:00

The Queen Mother Champion Chase has been confirmed by Henrietta Knight is the most likely Cheltenham Festival target for her stable star Somersby.

Dual Champion Chase hero Master Minded in last month's Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot was beaten the seven-year-old and a rematch now looks to be on the cards.

Speaking on her website, www.henandterry.com, the trainer said: "Somersby is extremely well and fresh. We have decided that his most likely race at Cheltenham will be the Champion Chase on the Wednesday. That is our aim."

An upbeat report has been issued by Knight on Grand National hope Calgary Bay, who was second at Cheltenham on Saturday.

"With Doncaster abandoned last Saturday, Calgary Bay, who was three-quarters of the way there, was re-routed to Cheltenham - his second preference," Knight added.

"After five hours in the horsebox, he ran a super race to finish second to Wishfull Thinking in the Murphy Group Chase. He will now have a rest and be prepared for the Grand National in April."

Flat Out to miss Cheltenham with leg injury

2011-01-26T06:13:00.000-08:00

Willie Mullins has confirmed that due to leg injury Flat Out will miss out on the sidelines for the remainder of the season.

Despite falling in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown on Sunday, the six-year-old was still considered to be one of the leading contenders for the Irish Independent Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Mullins told the Irish Times: "He has a little chip fracture on a hind leg and is out for the season."

A routine veterinary inspection after his fall down confirms that he had sustained a hind leg injury when unseating Emmett Mullins at the second last fence.

Gollings Seeking for a Hero

2011-01-18T02:45:00.000-08:00

In order to weigh up his Festival options,Steve Gollings is thinking to raise up local Hero into Grade Two company at Cheltenham later this month.

"The plan is to give him an entry in the Finesse Hurdle at Cheltenham a week on Saturday. How he runs there will hopefully help us decide between the Fred Winter and the Triumph Hurdle," the trainer said.

"He came out of Doncaster absolutely A1, he just hasn't really had a proper test yet. We know he's got a serious engine, we just need to know how serious.

"We were hoping there might be something that would want to go off in front and set a good pace, but that didn't happen so we didn't really learn much except that he's still progressing and is still a bit green really.

"There's not really a lot of time between now and the Festival in real terms and you need to know what kind of horse you've got."

Nable Prince could be collapsed for Cheltanham Festival

2011-01-12T07:40:00.000-08:00

Nable Prince could be collapsed their location for his Cheltanham Festival prep run after his fine effort in the Bord na Mona With Nature Novice Chase.

Eventually finished the Paul Nolan trained which began before seven year with a flourish to take next place, five lengths behind the winner Realt Dubh.

At Punchestown successful on his chasing debut in October, Noble Prince has two Grade One options return at Leopardstown - the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase and the Dr P.J. Moriarty Novice Chase - before Cheltenham, although Nolan may aim lower at now.

Nolan said, "We did always think he wants more of a trip, but with the ground being heavy we were thrilled with him over the two miles. He definitely got tapped for toe down the back and he stayed on really well to pass three or four horses in the straight.

He was galloping all the way to the line - it looks as though stepping him up in trip is the way to go. He's in the Arkle at Leopardstown later in the month, but we'll have the Moriarty more in mind on Hennessy day there.

But with the ground being as heavy as it is we might give him a lesser option instead of that with a view to going to Cheltenham and the better ground. He'd appreciate the ground not being as heavy as it is. We might go for a little contest as a prep to Cheltenham instead of taking on the better horses in the Grade Ones.

Barry (Geraghty) said the last day the further he went the better he was going. He was tapped for toe so hopefully a step up in trip will suit. I suppose the new two-and-a-half-miler (the Jewson Novices' Chase) looks to be the ideal race for him."

Cheltenham Festival is Moving Ahead!

2011-01-08T13:42:00.000-08:00

Both Exeter and Wincanton Racecourses’ forthcoming Cheltenham Festival Preview evenings will be sponsored by PADDY Power.

On Thursday, February 24,The Exeter event will take place and on Thursday, March 3,it will held again at Wincanton.

On the panel at Exeter,Paddy Power will joined by David Pipe, Paul Nicholls, Nick Williams, Andrew King and Philip Hobbs with Zoe Bird hosting the evening.

At Wincanton, Paul Nicholls, Joe Tizzard, Tom Scudamore and Channel 4 Racing's 'The Female' Tanya Stevenson will join the debate with Alice Plunkett hosting.

Group director of operations, John Baker, said: “We are delighted to welcome Paddy Power to Exeter and Wincanton’s preview evenings.

“The evenings are a popular highlight on our racing calendars and having secured racing’s finest to preview the Cheltenham Festival we are sure everyone who comes will gain a valuable insight into the main contenders.”

Cheltenham Festival with Keys

2011-01-03T08:08:00.000-08:00

In Cheltenham festival Keys could be the first runner for Derby winning instructor Welsh Roger Charlton after maintaining his unbeaten record on Saturday.

The four year old is a leading fancy for the Champion Bumper after a hat-trick with a short-head win over Cinders And Ashes at Cheltenham. Charlton said, “It doesn’t get much more exciting than a short head after an inquiry and with my first runner at the home of jumps racing”.

Cheltenham fears for luckless Fehily

2010-12-29T14:57:00.000-08:00

Jockey Noel Fehily will have an operation on his injured wrist tomorrow morning.

The luckless pilot was due to ride Kauto Star in his bid for history in the King George VI Chase at Kempton.

"With accompanied under-18s being admitted free too, our rescheduled 'King George day' is going to be one of the best value racing days of 2011."

"As well as the Christmas Hurdle and the Lanzarote Hurdle, both sponsored by William Hill, there is the scintillating prospect of Kauto Star's record-breaking attempt to win the William Hill King George VI Chase for a fifth successive year.

Ebor winner Dirar is being trained for an ambitious tilt at the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

After winning at York, Dirar ran a sound race in the Group Two Doncaster Cup in fifth and had earlier chased home Overturn in the Galway Hurdle

"Hopefully one of the tracks might put a race on for him but I haven't looked in the programme book yet. That's what I have in my mind though.

"I think the County Hurdle should suit him well," he told At The Races.

Willie Mullins confront in Cheltenhan Festival

2010-12-22T11:15:00.000-08:00

At concert for the Cheltenham Festival, Willie Mullins confront a race against time to have Fiveforthree.

Willie Mullins said at the races, "He did his first bit of work the other day and has done two or three pieces of fast work now and I don't know if he's going to go chasing or not yet. We can't even school on this ground the way it is at home. He's a good jumper but we might have to review the situation over Christmas and give him another season over hurdles. We had intended at the start of the season to go chasing. However, here we are at Christmas and you have to make the most of your novice year. If you want to go to Cheltenham, time is running out, but there are lots of chases to be won over there and maybe with that's what we want to do. Maybe we'll start off in a beginners chase, hopefully he'll stay sound and then we can try to get a few more and skip Cheltenham. If you are going to Cheltenham you have to prepare for it and that time is running out."

Cheltenham Festival 2011: William Hill Betting

2010-12-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

In Cheltenham Festival, British longest bookmakers William Hill will be betting on each of the 27 race.

Across all four days of the festival the Champion Bumper to the Champion Chase, and the Fred Winter to the Foxhunters’ punters can now place bets on each race.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said, ‘’This is raising our heads above the parapet in true style! We’re aware it’s a touch early, but punters have been clamouring for more Cheltenham Festival betting than ever before and so each of the 27 races is now available to bet through all channels.’’

Private Train Carriages to The Cheltenham Festival 2011

2010-12-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

The Cheltenham Festival 2011 which will be taking place from 15 – 18 June 2011, for traveling Train Chartering is offering private First Class carriages for Cheltenham Festival 2011 from London.

The First Class carriages in the charter trains include Pullman dining; a Great British breakfast after a welcoming glass of champagne or Buck's Fizz on the way to the races, and a four-course dinner on the return to London.
Provided complimentary with each private carriage on the charter trains are:

* racecards
* newspapers
* souvenir badges
* (worth up to £80 each) Club Enclosure badges
* access to on-course private marquee with full betting facilities and pay bar
* guest speakers who will ‘mark your card'.

Since 1998 Train Chartering is providing facility services to corporate and individual clients as well as group travel organisers.You can find a wide range of train types.Train Chartering is in a unique position to tailor an appropriate rail travel experience.

Menorah cut for Champion Hurdle - Cheltenham Festival 2011

2010-11-18T04:03:00.000-08:00

Following his victory in this afternoon's Greatwood Hurdle,Coral has cut Menorah to 7-1 (from 14-1) for the Champion Hurdle.Solwhit underlined his own Champion Hurdle claims with a Grade One win at Punchestown, and is 10-1 (from 12-1).

From the sources it has also been confirmed that Ghizao went to the head of Coral's Arkle betting at 8-1, Novices' Chase at Cheltenham with his win in the Grade Two,while Gauvain was introduced into Coral's Champion Chase betting at 14-1, following a surprise success over Forpadydeplasterer, who remains 10-1 for the King George, in the Sinbad Testimonial Chase.

"Ghizao and Menorah confirmed their liking for Prestbury Park with their respective victories, and both are likely to remain prominent in the ante post lists as the season unfol.

Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup 2011 - Kauto Star 4/1 favourite

2010-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

Long Run leads the odds for this weekends Paddy Power Gold Cup. This weekends big race looks to be a 2 horse battle with Great Endeavour v Long Run the short odd favourites.

This weeks biggest horse racing news tho is champion jockey Ruby Walsh bracking his leg in a fall on Corrick Bridge last weekend. Early that day he rode Kauto Star with a four-length success in Down Royal's JNWine Champion Chase. Ruby Walsh steered the 4-7 favourite home but will not ride him on boxing days King George VI Chase. AP McCoy is the likely replacement jockey.

Long Run is also tipped to run in the Cheltenham Festival gold cup against Kauto Star, who is the 4/1 favourite. Denman is likely to face his rival again and is a 10/1 outsider to win the 2011 race.

Matalan Introductory Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

2010-10-26T00:28:00.000-07:00

Conditional jockey Shane Byrne had the grey jumping well throughout the two-mile test and always looked in command as the six-year-old galloped on relentlessly to score by 22 lengths from top-weight Awesome George.

"I don't think the handicapper can be too hard on her and maybe she can go for the mares final at Newbury (in March) - that had been the plan last season, but she went lame beforehand."

McLintock has 14 horses in her stable at present, the most since she took out a licence, and her assistant Don Eddy said: "The win is not a surprise, he has been schooling very well at home. Brian and Graham Lee have been up to ride him."

The Karen McLintock-trained three-year-old was making his jumping debut but certainly knew his job and edged ahead of Pena Dorada between the last two flights before maintaining his advantage under Brian Harding to score by half a length.

Only four runners went to post for the Matalan And NSPCC Novices' Chase and two of those had departed by the fifth fence as Cool Friend went on to gain a well-deserved success under Tom O'Brien.

Sue Smith's Stagecoach Pearl (100-30) put up a splendid front-running performance in the Weatherbys Bank Handicap Chase.

Mason Hindmarsh dealt punters a blow when running out the 50-1 winner of the Halloween At Matalan Introductory Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree.

Cheltenham Festival betting - 2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase

2010-08-15T06:12:00.000-07:00

Yet the 2010 flat season hasn't even finished, but Sporting Bet odds compilers are already getting excited about the 2011 Cheltenham Festival.

On the 2011 Cheltenham Festival Sign up with Sporting Bet through Cheltenhampro and get a free £25 bet.

Are the 5/1 co-favourites Big Zeb and Master Minded for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and there will be a few people keen to back Master Minded at a price that would look enormous judged on some of his best efforts at Cheltenham.

Each way Terms: 1/4 Odds Places 1-3 Odds

Big Zeb 5/1
Master Minded 5/1
Sizing Europe 7/1
Tataniano 8/1
Forpadydeplasterer 10/1
Captain Cee Bee 12/1
Golden Silver 12/1
Somersby 14/1
Kalahari King 16/1
French Opera 25/1
Mad Max 25/1
Osana 25/1
Riverside Theatre 25/1
Twist Magic 40/1

On Request others. A pply Ante Post Rules. All in Run or Not. Please note that if the Race is re-scheduled to another day or venue all bets will be void.

Cheltenham Festival : Binocular the star of Day

2010-04-19T02:05:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Cheltenham Festival has started with a bang with a day of surprises leaving the bookmakers well ahead after an eventful day at Prestbury Park.
The star of the day was no doubt Binocular who claimed the Champion Hurdle in stunning style to compete a remarkable couple of weeks for the horse.
It was just a couple of weeks ago that Binocular was all but ruled out of the Festival with an injury but having recovered quickly claimed the win, with AP McCoy on board looked every inch the class horse of an open field.
Those injury doubts had caused Binocular to drift in the Champion Hurdle betting with the Nicky Henderson horse going off at a good looking 9/1 as they went to post.
All the talk before the Champion Hurdle was surrounding Go Native who went off as the favourite but he never got in the race, only Khyber Kim managed to challenge Binocular with Zaynar back in third.
The first race of the Festival was of course the Supreme Novices' Hurdle when Dunguib took his place as an odds-on favourite following a huge gamble from punters on both sides of the Irish Sea.
He never looked in great shape as he was outclassed by 12/1 shot Menorah who took a surprise win to leave the bookmakers delighted. A Dunguib win would have been a disaster for the bookies and they duly got their wish with Dunguib stuttering to third place.
The Arkle Challenge Trophy was collected by Sizing Europe for Henry De Bromhead who stayed on well despite being closed down by the good looking Somersby. It was an exciting race as usual with yet another favourite in Captain Cee Bee never in the frame as punters continued to have a bad day at the office on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham may put a brake on moving Festival's final day to Saturday

2010-03-25T02:48:00.001-07:00

It is a rare thing in racing when Saturday comes as something of a rest day for most of those in the industry. For the horses, jockeys and trainers, not to mention the record crowd at Uttoxeter's Midlands Grand National fixture, there was little time for reflection upon the highs and lows of the Cheltenham Festival that finished less than 24 hours earlier.
But it was not just bookmakers who spent the day counting cash – Cheltenham's managing director, Edward Gillespie, had considerable grounds for satisfaction on that score. Indeed, politicians trying to convince the public that Britain is out of recession need look no further than the track's cash tills.
An astonishing and unexpected growth in on-course Tote betting turnover, up 22 per cent year-on-year on Gold Cup day, took the four-day total past £10m for the first time, a cause for celebration for racing itself, as both the Tote and Cheltenham's owners, Jockey Club Racecourses, are committed to re-investing their profits into the sport rather than filling the pockets of shareholders.
Cheltenham have already submitted a planning document which proposes the construction of new buildings to replace the portable structures in the Guinness Village area, currently used by 8,000 Tattersalls racegoers and as many more hospitality guests.
While corporate sales have been hit hard, the changing face of the Cheltenham racegoer has produced unexpected rewards in other areas.
"The catering spend was up 14 per cent, which is remarkable against a five per cent crowd increase, and increased profits means that we can invest in better facilities and in the prize money, to make sure that we maintain the quality of the racing," said Gillespie.

Cheltenham Festival Betting: The Irish challenge in 2010

2010-02-02T07:17:00.000-08:00

Following the January trials, Wayne Bailey takes a look at how well or otherwise horses from the Emerald Isle are likely to perform in March...

“It's not very original, but it will take a good horse to beat Dunguib in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and already, he’s become the Irish banker of the festival.”

In just over a month, waves of bodies both equine and human will cross the Irish Sea for the annual assault on the Cheltenham Hill and of course, the Guinness Tent. I'd guess that the numbers making the trip will be slightly down this year - and some festival regulars I've spoken to are now out of work because of the economic downturn, especially those who were employed in the building trade.

But whether the action is watched live from Prestbury Park or down the local pub, certain Irish horses are going to be backed heavily and hopefully cheered home. Following the January trials in both Ireland and the UK, here's a revised look at the Irish challenge for 2010.
Pre Book your Cheltenham Tickets online from GigSport.

Greatwood Hurdle Potential high-class field

2009-10-28T10:55:00.000-07:00

CAPE TRIBULATION, fifth in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle last season at the Cheltenham Festival, could make his hurdling reappearance in the Grade 3 Greatwood Hurdle next month. The five year old Malcom Jefferson trained was among 56 entrants for the extended 2m race, won last season by Numide, and Jefferson could be doulby represented, with Issaquah also entered. Jefferson said: "Is being aimed Issaquah at the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle because two miles is her trip, she ran a wonder race around there in the David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle at The Festival but did not get home (finished ninth), so I know she acts around there. "She's in good nick, so if everything went right and the ground was on the soft side, she would go there with a opportunity."I put Cape Tribulation in but he ran a bit of stinker on Saturday. We scoped him and he is on antibiotics but if it came up soft I wouldn't mind running him, as long as he is right. In a race like the Greatwood, I would not mind running them both because the prize money is so good and we are limited as to when we can run these horses."Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle runner up Celestial Halo, and Starluck, an impressive winner on his first start of the season at Cheltenham earlier in the month, are also entered, along with the highly rated Ashkazar and Blue Bajan from the Andrew Turnell stable. There is no shortage of potential Irish entrants, with Clopf, Donna's Palm, and Raise Your Heart, who scored on the Flat at Leopardstown earlier this week, among 16 possibles.

Venalmar to go novice chasing on return

2009-08-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

VENALMAR, runner up in the Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival, is back in training having missed all of final season and is to go novice chasing.The seven year old's trainer Mouse Morris said on Monday: "Venalmar had to have a chipremoved from a leg, but he's all rigth now and the plan is to start him off over hedge in October or November."Winner of the Grade 2 Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle over 2m4f at Naas in January 2008, Venalmar lost out by a neck to Fiveforthree at Cheltenham two months later.He has not run since finishing down the field at the Punchestown festival in April 2008.

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CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PROFITS PLUNGE AS PUNTERS BEAT THE BOOKIES

2009-08-07T01:40:00.000-07:00

The betting shops or sobbing on the racetrack this news will not have punters weeping: the UK's largest bookmaker is William Hill. The bookmarker, said today it had tired "a run of abominable results" that had sent profits from its sports betting division tumbling.
A string of favourites romping home at Cheltenham, including the heavily backed Kauto Star in the Gold Cup, the dominance of the big four in the Premier League and a run of other predictable results had, it claimed, resulted in a reversal of the old adage about the bookmaker always winning.
Warning that profits for the full year were likely to be lower than expected – despite increased income from in-store betting terminals helping to make up for the decline in revenues from its traditional sports betting business it revealed that it had ended up out of pocket on football bets for the first time ever in May.
William Hill also admitted it was vulnerable to the effects of the economic slump and rising unemployment, contradicting rash statements from some in the industry earlier in the year that it might prove to be largely recession-proof.Ralph Topping, the chief executive, said the company had delivered "a solid trading performance in the first half, in spite of the tough economic environment and a mixed set of sporting results". He said that even a victory for a 100-1 outsider in the Grand National was not enough to raise a lasting smile.

Kauto Star's reclaimes Cheltenham Gold Cup crown

2009-07-17T15:35:00.000-07:00

but the highlight of the week was undoubtedly Kauto Star's demolition of the opposition to make history and reclaim his totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup crown.Master Minded defended his title in the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, Big Buck's was a gritty winner of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival - Memorable Moments

2009-04-18T04:41:00.000-07:00

Move Forward To Cheltenham 2009

2008-08-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

The Festival is over for 2009, but what a magnificent four (three!) days we had in this year.Everyone will have their own individual highlights, but for us there was a period of just over an hour on Thursday afternoon when we were reminded of exactly why we make the pilgrimage to Cheltenham every year.First up was the tremendous performance of Master Minded in the Queen Mother. His was a quite outstanding display of speed and fluent jumping and, as there is no reason to think that Voy Por Ustedes was below his best, it was as good a Festival performance as there has been for many, many years. It was simply breathtaking.We hope you enjoyed the action as much as us and thank you for reading our Blog over the past few weeks. We will continue to post our thoughts on the Festival here over the next couple of weeks We’ll then be back again at the end of the year to start developing 2009 Festival. It can’t come around quick enough!

Cheltenham Courses

2008-08-05T02:30:00.000-07:00

Prestbury Park is a beautifully crafted sporting arena, carved within the Cotswold Hills in Gloucestershire and the courses are unlike those at any other racecouse. Undulating and stamina sapping, the sting in the tail regularly comes at the end of each contest in the form of the supremely challenging "Cheltenham Hill" - an ever-upward climbing passage runners must scale from the last obstacle to the winning line. Every weapon in a competitor's arsenal is needed for victory at Cheltenham.
New Course
The New Course has two fences in a longer home straight, but only one fence on the downhill run. This obviously can still be tricky, for similar reasons to the two downhill fences on the Old Course, but a key obstacle here has always been four out. Taken at the top of the hill as the horses start to turn left, it often caught out even the most seasoned chasers given that the course fell away to the left immediately after the fence. However, the fence has now been moved back 15 metres meaning it is jumped on a slightly flatter part of the track.

Old Course
The Old Course has just one fence in the home straight. The critical two fences are three and two out as they are both taken on the run downhill before the turn into the home straight.
Races on this course really start in earnest at the top of the hill (after the final ditch, four out) and the third last, in particular, can catch out horses who find themselves gathering momentum and traveling slightly quicker than they feel comfortable with.
The second last is a real “jockeys” fence and has put paid to the chances of many horses over the years. Punters whose dreams are still alive at this point can certainly breath a partial sigh of relief once their selection has cleared this tricky obstacle.

Cross Country Course
The cross country course takes racing at Cheltenham back to its roots with a selection of natural and man made obstacles incorporating banks, ditches, hedges, water and timber rails.
Designed by Mike Etherington-Smith, who was responsible for the 3-Day Event cross country course at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the configuration of the course deliberately weaves around the centre of Prestbury Park, with turns to the left and right leading competitors on a variety of routes and directions.
One of the main differences between the Cross Country Course and the steeplechase courses at Cheltenham is the materials used to build the fences. Chase fences are constructed from 'dead' materials whereas the fences on the Cross Country Course are living, growing trees, shrubs and bushes, which are regularly

Betting Tips for Cheltenham Festival

2008-08-05T02:23:00.000-07:00

The Cheltenham Festival initial tape is about to be released and we have some appealing Cheltenham Festival tips from some of the big names in the game to pass on to you. We have all waited a full year, gone through all the pre Cheltenham Festival hype and we are about to get the 2009 Cheltenham Festival underway. So Tony McCoy will make it, Kicking King will not, the Champion Hurdle sees a whole new crop taking on last years winner Sublimity and the highlight of this year's festival the showdown between Kauto Star and Denman.

Check out the best Cheltenham Festival Free Bets here at Betting Directory

Many of you will have been studying the form and trying to get as many Cheltenham Festival tips over the weekend so you can start planning your strategy over the next few days. We have picked up the Racing Post supplement and for those of you who have missed this we have some interesting tips to pass on. Tom Segal of Pricewise fame goes for Aitmatov in the Ladbrokes World hurdle and this may prove a good tip if Inglis is a little undercooked. John Francome goes for Inglis Drever in the same race

Good Tips for Cheltenham Festival 2009

2008-08-05T01:15:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup is the biggest and definitely the most expected race in living memory. All along it was shaping up to be a titanic battle between the two heirs apparent to the great Arkle's crown. All season the talk was all about just who would win the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup 2008.
The choice between the rising champion and Gold Cup 2007 hero, Kauto Star, and the rising challenger, Denman, divided the punting public in two and surely everyone every punter worth his salt put his money where his mouth is and sided with one of the two super-chasers.
What's more it was nearly unparalleled that one trainer, Paul Nicholls, was able to send out two horses of such high quality in a race of this magnitude. His string was all the more worthy since Kauto was bidding to win a second Betfair £1million bonus, achieved for winning the Betfair Lancashire Chase, the King George VI Chase and the Gold Cup in the same season. Realistically Denman looked the only contender capable of upsetting the odds so to risk £1million to make this super-race happen made the entire racing fraternity and Denman's connections very happy.
Both horses will surely be back for the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup 2009 next year and Denman is widelt available at Evens Favourite, with Kauto at 3-1 to reverse this year's placings. Questions remain to be answered as Kauto Star didn't look at his best, but others will say that was just down to the sheer power of Denman and the result will be the same next year. Whatever, another great spectacle awaits us on Gold Cup Day in 2009.
Paul Nicholls managed an impressive 1-2-3 as Neptune Collonges followed his stable-mates home and was only narrowly beaten into third by Kauto Star. He's now available at 20-1 to improve on that and win the Gold Cup in 2009.
But what of the other contenders? On form none of them really had a chance, Exotic Dancer, was the highest rated third favourite at odds of 17-2, had already been beaten five times in career by Kauto Star and odds were heavily stacked against him turning it around this time. And so it proved with Exotic Dancer finishing in fifth place. After being beaten by Kauto Star last year will he back for a third shot at the title in the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2009?
Of the outsiders Afistfullofdollars was well fancied amongst the each-way backers on the course and went off at 20-1. However despite a plucky run he didn't quite have enough coming up hill and finished in 7th under Paul Carberry.
But let's not forget the other candidates for next year who have appeared over this glorious week of racing at Prestbury Park. Tidal Bay put in a supreme run to beat the field by 13 lengths in the Arkle Chase on Tuesday and is widely available at odds of 20-1 for the Gold Cup 2009. The only question there seems to be whether trainer Howard Johnson will prefer to aim the chaser at the Queen Mother Champion Chase 2009 instead. Whichever he race he opts for it seems clear that Tidal Bay will be a strong contender to win again at the Cheltenham Festival 2009.
Master Minded put in a thrilling performance to win Champion Chase yesterday and gives Paul Nicholls an embarrassment of riches with which to take on the chasing titles next year. An intriguing rematch between Kauto & Denman could be made a three-way head-to-head in the Gold Cup 2009. This has surely got to be the race that the punters want to see, Master Minded is available at odds of 14-1 to steal Denman's crown at next year's Cheltenham Festival 2009.

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham Festival Event Dates

2008-08-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

Please note, tickets for the 2008 - 2009 season will go on sale from 1st September 2008. Ticket price details, races and opening times will be added below as they become available. Cheltenham festival is goint to take place between 10th of March to 13 of March. The event dates are given as under:-

Tue, 10 Mar 09	Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Wed, 11 Mar 09	Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Thu, 12 Mar 09	Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Fri, 13 Mar 09	Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom

Cheltenham may alter race times in 2009

2008-08-04T04:56:00.000-07:00

From BBC :

The Cheltenham Festival in March may see earlier starts and the running of feature races later in each day

Racecourse officials are reviewing this year's meeting, which saw Wednesday's card abandoned because of high winds.
Three days' worth of racing was run on Thursday and Friday, and officials at the course are analysing the effects.
"Some positives came out of it and some things we think we'll carry forward to 2009," clerk of the course Simon Claisse told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.
"We're considering whether or not we should be running our feature race on each day as race three, it could be race four, or even race five."
Claisse's comments follow the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is normally the third race on the card at 1515, being run at 1530 as the sixth race in a re-arranged Friday programme which started at 1230

How to Get Cheltenham Festival

2008-08-04T04:51:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham racecourse is just a few minutes north of the centre of Cheltenham, and a short distance from the M5.
By Air
Ryanair is the official airline partner of Cheltenham racecourse and offers flights to and from three local airports for the Festival.
By Train
The nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa - for information call 08457 484950. A bus link is provided from Cheltenham Spa Station from 2 hours before racing, returning after racing.
By Car
If travelling by road, the maps below indicate the location of course and the best routes to take. Race goers are advised to follow the recommended routes signed by the AA. Nearer the racecourse, you'll find AA signage directing you to the nearest available car park. For GPS users the postcode is GL50 4SH.
Ample car parking is available. Parking for the Festival is £10 (£8 in advance).
By Bus
Stagecoach bus service D runs every 10 minutes during the day and between 10 minutes and every hour in the evenings from Monday to Saturday. Service 527 also provides a regular service from Cheltenham centre to Bishops Cleeve and Gotherington via the racecourse roundabout. For local Stagecoach information please contact 0870 6082608.

Cheltenham Festival Course Records

2008-08-04T04:34:00.000-07:00

Distance	Record Holder	Course Record	Date
2m (C) (12)	Edredon Bleu	3m 44.70s	15/03/00
2m110y (C) (13)	Clever Folly	3m 56.00s	03/10/91
2m110y (C) (14)	Samakaan (IRE)	3m 52.40s	16/03/00
2m110y (H) (8)	Istabraq (IRE)	3m 48.10s	14/03/00
2m1f (H) (8)	Moody Man	3m 51.20s	15/03/90
2m4f110y (C) (15)	Dark Stranger (FR)	4m 49.60s	15/03/00
2m4f110y (H) (12)	Gospel	4m 45.00s	20/04/94
2m4f110y (H) (12)	Sir Dante (IRE)	4m 45.00s	15/04/97
2m5f (C) (17)	Barnbrook Again	5m 01.60s	18/04/90
2m5f (C) (16)	Tri Folene	5m 05.90s	29/09/93

Cheltenham Festival Hospitality Packages

2008-08-04T04:20:00.000-07:00

The Cheltenham Festival is the premier National Hunt Horse Racing event. The Cheltenham Festival features four days of the best steeplechase and hurdle racing on the planet, bringing the National Hunt racing season to a climax as 450 horses compete for £2.7m in prize money.

There are lot of companies who provides a great hospitality packages for the viewers of Cheltenham Festival.

Racecourse Hospitality

Seller Hospitality

Direct Sports Event Hospitality

Corporate Entertainment Hospitality

TailorMade

Cheltenham Festival - Winners

2008-08-04T04:04:00.000-07:00

2008 Ruby Walsh (3)
2007 Robert Thornton (4)
2006 Ruby Walsh (3)
2005 Graham Lee (3)
2004 Ruby Walsh (3)
2003 Barry Geraghty (5)
2002 Richard Johnson (2)
2001 Cancelled - foot & mouth
2000 Mick Fitzgerald (4)
1999 Mick Fitzgerald (4)
1998 Tony McCoy (5)
1997 Tony McCoy (3)
1996 Richard Dunwoody (2)
1995 Norman Williamson (4)
1994 Charlie Swan (3)
1993 Charlie Swan (4)
1992 Jamie Osborne (5)
2008 Ruby Walsh (3)
2007 Robert Thornton (4)
2006 Ruby Walsh (3)
2005 Graham Lee (3)
2004 Ruby Walsh (3)
2003 Barry Geraghty (5)
2002 Richard Johnson (2)
2001 Cancelled - foot & mouth
2000 Mick Fitzgerald (4)
1999 Mick Fitzgerald (4)
1998 Tony McCoy (5)
1997 Tony McCoy (3)
1996 Richard Dunwoody (2)
1995 Norman Williamson (4)
1994 Charlie Swan (3)
1993 Charlie Swan (4)
1992 Jamie Osborne (5)

Cheltenham Festival Criticisms

2008-08-04T04:02:00.000-07:00

From many years there have been concerns about the high number of injuries and fatalities to horses. This was brought to a head in 2006 when 11 horses were killed. In response the racecourse decreased the number of runners in certain races and resisted one of the more difficult fences. However, still there are some animal rights groups do not accept that this is sufficient in order to safety of the horses.

Cheltenham Festival Seating Plan

2008-08-04T03:55:00.000-07:00

The Best Mate Enclosure - The Best Mate Enclosure gives race goers a great view of the racing, a variety of food outlets, betting shop and bars. The enclosure is directly opposite the main stands and, at the Festival, entertainment includes leading ‘cover’ bands.
Tattersalls and Club - The Tattersalls grandstand provides extensive viewing steps, a betting hall, bars and buffets. Race goers in Tattersalls have access to The Centaur, Paddock, unsaddling enclosure, the Hall of Fame, the Gold Cup and Festival Restaurants and the trade stands in the tented village.
At the Festival, the Guinness Village, opposite the last fence, extends the Tattersalls enclosure with extra viewing steps, bars, bands and other entertainment.
Club, as its name suggests, is the most exclusive enclosure with the best viewing, bars, buffets and betting areas. The purchase of a Club day badge for the Festival also entitles race goers to use all the facilities within Tattersalls. At the Festival, the chalets and boxes in the tented village are in the Club enclosure.
The Centaur - With access from the Hall of Fame, the Centaur provides over 1000 additional seats, a big screen to watch all the racing, totepool and other betting outlets, food and bars. It also hosts live music after racing at the Festival. This facility is available to race goers in Club and Tattersalls.
Seats - Tattersalls seats for the Festival are already fully booked. Seats can be booked in the Guinness grandstand and the Head-On Stand for all four days of the Festival meeting (subject to availability).
Disabled - Disabled facilities are available in each enclosure for race viewing and also in an area overlooking the parade ring. Normal rates of admission are charged for those in wheelchairs and their friends. There is an area reserved for car parking for members who have applied for a disabled label. The car park staff are briefed to allow cars displaying the blue disabled driver label to park as close as possible to the entrances. For those with hearing difficulties, an induction loop enhances the commentary for race goers on part of the Tattersalls steps

Cheltenham Festival - Betting

2008-08-04T03:47:00.000-07:00

People from the different parts of the world to go for betting and spend a lot of money in the Cheltenham Festival. For that reason, millions of pounds are gambled during the Cheltenham festival. It is the one place that perceives bets laid by the Bookmakers in the ring of well over £100,000 on a single bet. The Irish come every year and have major gambles on the Irish Horses. The Cheltenham Ante Post Betting market is always very vibrant, with punters putting down there cash well in advance to try and get the best price about there particular fancy. It is significant to be careful about backing your horse well in advance of the big race as if your horse is a non runner you will lose your money. However, it can be money-spinning to take a price a couple of months before the festival as usually if your horse is going to have any sort of chance in the race itself the odds will usually contract in the weeks coming up to the race.

Cheltenham festival tickets

2008-08-04T03:31:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham Festival is one of the renowned events in horse racing sports event. People come to see not only from United Kingdom but also from all over the world. For that reason, Cheltenham Festival Crowd levels on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of The Festival are kept to around 55,000, compared with a capacity of 65,000 on Friday for the Gold Cup. Of the Festival’s daily audience, a quarter come from Gloucestershire and nearby, another quarter from London and the Home Counties. Of the rest, 10,000 come from Ireland, and proceed to take over much of the Cotswolds countryside and its hostelries.
Tickets for the 2009 Festival will go on sale from 1st September 2008. Ticket price details, races and opening times will be added below as they become available. Please note that all four days of the 2009 Festival are "all ticket" and advance booking is essential for all enclosures. Tickets are available on lot of tickets sellers websites. Most of the famous Web tickets agent name are as under:-

Cheltenham Festival

2008-08-04T03:29:00.000-07:00

The Cheltenham Festival is the most famous place in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom and has race prize money second only to the Grand National. It is an event where many of the best British and Irish trained horses race against each other, the extent of which is relatively rare during the rest of the season.
It takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Because of the nation's horses and the fact it usually coincides with Saint Patrick's Day, the meeting is often very popular with Irish visitors.
Huge amounts of money are bet, with hundreds of millions of pounds being gambled over the four days and so the Festival is often noted for its atmosphere, most notably the "Cheltenham roar", which refers to the enormous amount of noise that the crowd generates as the horses enter the home straight and long run in.

Cheltenham Festival Gallery

2008-08-04T03:09:00.000-07:00

Cheltenham Festival 1980 to 2004

2008-08-04T02:45:00.000-07:00

2004
The multi-million-pound Centaur centre is ready in time for the 2004 National Hunt Festival. It includes a 2,200-seat arena and another 4,000 to the capacity of the 50,000 course on race days. The centre also provides Cheltenham with an arena big enough for pop concerts for 6,000 people.
2003
The new National Hunt season opens with more than 25,000 tickets already sold for the 2004 Festival.
2003
Best Mate completes an historic double by winning the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second year running.
2002
It is announced that prize money for the new season at Cheltenham will break the £4 million barrier for the first time, with more than half the money is attached to the Festival meeting in March. There are also plans to extend the meeting from three to four days from 2005.
2002
Work starts on a multi-million redevelopment at the course.
2002
Tickets for 2002 Gold Cup Day sell out in record time.
2002
Ambitious plans are announced for a £15 million redevelopment scheme at the racecourse including a new purpose-built arena and widening of the course to increase crowd capacity from 50,000 to 54,000.
2001
After being postponed from March until after Easter as a result of foot and mouth restrictions, the Festival is cancelled for the first time in 50 years.
1997
The £10 million Tattersalls grandstand and Panoramic Restaurant opens.
1996
The luck of the Irish strikes gold with seven Festival winners from the Emerald Isle, the best Irish tally since 1977.
1993
Cheltenham Hall of Fame exhibition opens, a display of the history of racing at Prestbury Park featuring a gallery of truly great Gold Cup winners including multiple winners Easter Hero, Golden Miller, Arkle and L’Escargot.
1992
New parade ring opens with 25 open boxes and facilities to accommodate up to 1,000 spectators.
1989
A £5 million grandstand extension opens, with standing room under cover for 2,000 people and seating for an extra 300. There are also restaurants, boxes and entertainment rooms. Later the same year a £1 million stable block for 160 horses is completed at the racecourse entrance.
1981
Work begins on a new landscaped paddock, weighing room and permanent facilities for the tented village

Cheltenham Festival History

2008-08-04T02:35:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Cheltenham Festival once again will be dramatic over 4 days after it proved a great success the previous year. It is the perfect race meeting of the National Hunt Season. Cheltenham Festival Betting is now on 24 races runs and is followed almost fanatically by a massive quantity of racing enthusiasts. Each year the attendances keep on to grow and over the duration of the racing meeting crowds will easily exceed 180,000, combined with the watching television, radio and live online audio audience it is without doubt one of the world's most anticipated racing spectacles.
The first Cheltenham Festival meeting took place in 1902 and since then has continued to gain prominence within the racing calendar. The National Hunt season is now hard to imagine without the build up to Cheltenham, the expectation creates and the excitement begins many months before the first Cheltenham race goes under starting orders. The volumes of beting that takes place during the Cheltenham Festival Races is nothing short of staggering with millions of pounds changing hands between bookmakers and punters in every race. Cheltenham Festival racing is of paramount importance to the UK racing industry and without the three day meeting National Hunt Racing would never be the same again.
The quality of the entrants for the jump racing action is fantastic in each and every race, but of course the feature races attract the most attention. The Champion Hurdle ran on the Tuesday is the first showpiece event and is followed on the Wednesday with the Queen Mother Champion Chase and on Friday with the Cheltenham Gold Cup. With the supporting Steeplechases, Hurdling and Handicap races Cheltenham deservedly remains as the most important National Hunt meetings of the year!