Jumps racing over two courses, the Old and the New. Both are undulating, left-handed ovals of a mile and a half. The course is very stiff, with the accent very much on stamina and the uphill finish of 240 yards is one of the most demanding tests in the country. The fences are not quite as tough as they used to be after recent alterations but a sound jumper with plenty of courage is needed to win here.
Home of jumps racing in England, and the venue for one of the greatest racing festivals in the world, with it's three day meeting in March including the Champion Hurdle, The Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. But it's more than just the racing that makes the Irish travel over in their thousands. The Guinness Village is well worth a visit! Racing tends to very competitive and the top jockeys and trainers always save their best for this course. Venetia Williams has a good strike-rate. At the Festival, the Irish trainers usually do quite well in the handicap hurdles, with the owner/gambler J.P. McManus often having one 'laid-out' for this meeting. All but two of the Festival bumper winners have been trained in Ireland, with Willie Mullins saddling three in a row in the 1990s.
Directions:
By road
One and a half miles North of the town on the A435. Turn off at junctions 10 or 11 from the M5.
By Rail
Cheltenham Station is approximately three miles from the course, with special buses and taxis available outside the station.
Address:
Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH
