The Festival
Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March 2010
Witness the crowning of champions
The Festival produces an atmosphere that is unique. The combination of the huge crowds, the amazing setting and the sense that you are watching history being made produces a sporting cocktail like no other. During the week, over 200,000 people will experience The Festival in person, many of them travelling significant distances to be here - and across the nation, more than £500 million will be bet on the outcome of the 26 races. Don't miss out. Make sure you're part of this legendary event.
Tuesday 16th March
The roar of the crowd as the tapes rise for the first race signals the moment when the 12 month wait is ove and Jump racing's favourite fixture is back. The big race is the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, which this year sees two horses aiming to win big money bonuses for their connections. Kyber Kim will win an additional £200,000 if he adds this race to the Boylesports.com International he picked up in December, and the Irish-trained Go Native will secure an additional £1million if he can triumph, following victories in two other big races earlier this season. There is also a fantastic parade of previous Cheltenham Champions before racing, including the likes of Moscow Flyer and Kicking King. Click here for more info on the parade.
Wednesday 17th March
There is an extra special atmosphere when St. Patrick's Day coincides with The Festival. Share the luck of the Irish and join in the craic, with Irish bands, a wonderful buzz in the Guinness Village and even official Cheltenham shamrock on sale! The feature race of the day is The Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase, which sees Master Minded going for a hattrick - a feat no horse has ever achieved before.
Thursday 18th March
Thursday is Ladies day - the perfect excuse to dress up and have a great day out. The fashion awards will see one lucky Lady drive away in a brand new Alfa Romeo Mito, we'll also celebrate the huge role that women play in Jump racing, there is a fabulous new Charity race for Lady riders which will see in excess of £60,000 being raised for Cancer Reserach UK and there are also six top class Jump races. The Ladbrokes World Hurdle takes centre stage, with Big Buck's a hot favourite to defend the crown he won so well in 2009.
Friday 19th March
The biggest day in the racing calendar and one of the best moments of the sporting year. All eyes are on stablemates Denman and Kauto Star as they square up for their third totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup clash, with the score standing at 1-1. Can Kauto Star join the Cheltenham legends Golden Miller, Arkle and Best Mate and become a three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner or will Denman add victory in 2010 to his 2008 triumph? Don't be disappointed - book your tickets today. Best Mate and Tattersalls enclosure tickets have already sold out for this day.
Racing Post, media partner to the Festival, has launched the official iphone app for the most eagerly awaited four days of the Jumps calendar. With live information as it happens, the views of all the top Post pundits, and information on how to get here and what to do when you're here, it's a must for the discerning technophile racegoer. To download the app to your phone, visit http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/cheltenham/id358139551?mt=8