Cheltnam Festival 2012
Set in glorious Cotswold countryside, with Cleeve Hill looming at the far end of the course to form a natural backdrop, Cheltnam is the spiritual home of National Hunt racing.
Every year in March, Prestbury Park plays host to the four biggest days in the racing calendar - the Cheltenham Festival.
The festival features 26 races in total, 12 of which are Grade 1s.
Cheltnam Festival Races 2012
Tuesday 13th March
Champion Day: The opening day of the Festival always provides an electric atmosphere. Feature of the card is, of course, the Champion Hurdle.
- 13:30, William Hill Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 14:05, Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1)
- 14:40, Festival Handicap Chase (Grade 3)
- 15:20, Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)
- 16:00, Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase
- 16:40, David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle (Grade 2)
- 17:15, Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)
Wednesday 14th March
Ladies Day: For many jump racing connoisseurs the Wednesday of the Festival is the best day as it boasts no fewer than four Grade 1 races.
- 13:30, Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase)
- 14:05, Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 1)
- 14:40, Rsa Chase (Grade 1)
- 15:20, sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
- 16:00, Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3)
- 16:40, Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
- 17:15, Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1)
Thursday 15th March
St Patrick's Thursday: St Patrick's Day is brought forward a couple of days to provide a real Irish flavour to the third day of the Festival! Feature race of the day will be the World Hurdle.
- 13:30, Jewson Novices' Chase (Registered As The Golden Miller Novices' Chase) (Grade 2)
- 14:05, Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) (Listed)
- 14:40, Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy Chase) (Grade 1)
- 15:20, Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 16:00, Byrne Group Plate (Handicap Chase) (Grade 3)
- 16:40, Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Amateur Riders)
Friday 16th March
Cheltenham Gold Cup Day: The raceday title says it all; it's the highlight of the jump racing year as the best staying chasers in the world compete for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
- 13:30, JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 14:05, Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
- 14:40, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Spa Novices' Hurdle) (Grade 1)
- 15:20, Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)
- 16:00, Christie's Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup
- 16:40, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
- 17:15, Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
Cheltnam Festival Pointers
Cheltnam is a track which has its fair share of course specialists, be it over hurdles or fences, so always pay attention in the form book as to which Course (Old or New) a horse has previously performed best at because some struggle on one and excel on the other.
Cheltnam Festival Directions
- By road
- Cheltnam Racecourse lies two miles to the north of the town centre. The roads can get particularly busy on racedays, so it is best to follow the AA signposts which are located on all major routes.
- By rail
- Cheltnam Spa station is served by direct trains from London Paddington and Birmingham New Street. A bus link to the racecourse is provided on racedays.
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