CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE

Horse racing is a much-awaited event for many and the Cheltenham racecourse is a virtual paradise for all horse racing enthusiasts. Known as the ‘Home of the National Hunt Racing’, the Cheltenham Racecourse is nestled in scenic locales and the races held here attract a large number of people who are passionate about the ‘sport of kings’. With an interesting history to back its credentials and some of the most popular races held here, the Cheltenham racecourse promises a lot of action on the race track and an awe-inspiring racing experience.

LOCATION OF THE RACECOURSE: The Cheltenham racecourse is one of the primary racecourses in the United Kingdom, buzzing with activity almost throughout the year. It is situated in the Prestbury Park, in the village Prestbury located in the suburbs of the town Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.  It is located amidst picturesque locales in a natural amphitheatre right beneath Cotswold Hills, making it a treat for the spectators of the sport.

HISTORY: The history of this racecourse dates back to the year 1883, when it was set up at Prestbury Park as a result of the racetrack at Cleeve Hill being burned down after a violent confrontation between a parish priest from Cheltenham and some other parishioners. The Cheltenham Racecourse originally served the purpose of flat racing, and the first of the steeplechases was held here in 1898. In 1902, the first of the Cheltenham festivals was held on this racecourse. After the Jockey Club took over as owners of this racecourse in the 1960s, the facilities of the National Hunt racing were upgraded and a new grandstand was built around the same time to accommodate the growing number of spectators of the races. With large bucks flowing in, the course of development of the racetrack began and continued in later years as well. In the 1990s, a brand new cross country racecourse was charted out on the racecourse. Since then, the Cheltenham racecourse has been a major contributor to Cheltenham’s local economy.

NATURE: The Cheltenham racecourse is a national hunt racecourse, with a seating capacity for almost 67,500 people.

RACE COURSES: The Cheltenham racecourse has a main course that is further divided into two courses placed alongside each other. These are the Old Course and New Course respectively.

The Old Course is used for the first 2 days of the races of the Cheltenham festival. It is a one mile course that consists of a 350-yard run-in with a 4-furlong oval and is a left-handed course. It has 6 hurdles and 9 fences. The Old Course features races ranging from sharp to a galloping pace.

The New Course is the venue for the races held on last two days of the festival. It is a one-mile track, featuring a 220 yard run-in in a 5-furlong oval left-handed course. The course is notorious for its 10 stiff fences and has 6 hurdles. It has a water jump at the Second fence and open ditches at the Third and Fifth fences. The New Course has a complicated downhill fence and the steeplechases are run over a longer run-in.

The Cross Country course is a newer addition to the Cheltenham racecourse. This is used mainly for running cross-country steeplechases.

MAJOR RACES: The Cheltenham racecourse is home to many important and popular races. It hosts the famous Cheltenham Festival, and has, thus, been accorded the status of being a home to the ‘national hunt racing’ in the UK. The most notable races held at this racecourse are the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, World Hurdle, etc.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the most desirable titles for any racer at Cheltenham festival and is the prestigious steeplechase (Grade 1) in the National Hunt racing held at Cheltenham racecourse. Touted as the ‘blue riband’ of the jump racing, the race is run on a new course where a 3-mile and 2.5 furlongs long distance is to be covered and the punters have to jump over 22 fences. It is one of the most-awaited races in the UK, by both punters and spectators.

BETTING OPTIONS: The top bookmakers of UK keep the betting market abuzz for the various races held at Cheltenham racecourse during the Cheltenham Festival. The betting options available here are: betting on the winner, betting on the placed finish, Tricast and Forecast betting, betting each way, Jollies and Rags, match betting, etc.

FEATURES OF THE RACECOURSE: Cheltenham racecourse is home to the biggest auditorium in the whole of south-west England- the Centaur. It is used for both conferences and concerts. The Steeplechasing Hall of Fame is held here. The annually celebrated Greenbelt festival as well as the much-awaited Wychwood Music Festival are the highlights of this venue apart from the world famous races held here.