The Renowned Cheltenham Festival Starts Today!
In Great Britain, steeplechase racing or jump racing, as it is also known, is a popular horse racing sport. There are many steeplechase racing events held throughout the year, but one of the most popular and richest of these is the Cheltenham Festival. Each year, approximately two hundred thousand spectators make their way to the festival to enjoy four days of racing. Millions more switch on their televisions to view the action. Betting institutions are overrun by wagers that total more than $1 billion, and the excitement and anticipation of the Cheltenham Festival fills the air for weeks leading up to this major racing event.
The 2008 Cheltenham Festival will kicks off today, the 11th of March, and ends on the 14th of March. During these four days, spectators will see five hundred horses compete in twenty five races, distributing the races so that approximately six races are run per day. One of the most anticipated races will take place on the last day of the racing festival, seeing last year’s winner Kauto Star going head to head with one of the favorites for the event, Denman.
The races set to be run on Tuesday, the 11th of March, are the Anglo Irish Band Supreme Novices Hurdle, the Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase, Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase, BGC Cross Country Chase and the Fred Winter Junior Novices Handicap Hurdle. On Wednesday the 12th, spectators can look forward to the Ballymore Properties Novices Hurdle, Royal and SunAlliance Chase, Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Coral Cup, Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup and the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper. The Jewson Novices Handicap Chase, Ryanair Chase, Ladbrokes World Hurdle, Racing Post Plate Handicap Chase, Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase and the Pertemps Final will take place on Thursday, the 13th of March. On the last day of racing, the JCB Triumph Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, Christies Foxhunter Chase and Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase will complete proceedings. Other races during the festival to watch out for include the David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle and the Vincent O’Brian County Handicap Hurdle.
Over and above magnificent steeplechase racing, spectators will be entertained and kept busy by the exhibitors and events that have been scheduled for the Cheltenham Festival. Stores and exhibitors will have a large variety of interesting items on sale. From horse racing to activities and entertainment, the Cheltenham Festival ensures that spectators have a thrilling and exciting time at the races.
