THE 2023 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL I

f you’re a keen follower of the UK’s equestrian scene, you’ll already be well aware of the excitement that’s just around the corner. March welcomes the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most noteworthy gatherings in the Great Hunt racing calendar. It’s known for having an unbeatable atmosphere, with the crowd’s Cheltenham Roar becoming a thing of legend. There’s an argument to be made for Cheltenham being the second biggest horse racing event we have—in terms of prize money, only the Grand National is more significant!

Last year’s Cheltenham Festival was ground breaking in many ways. First of all, the total attendance across all four days was the highest in the festival’s history, with 280,627 horse racing fans gathering to witness the action. What’s more, we also saw the monumental achievement of Rachael Blackmore, who became the first female jockey to win the prestigious Gold Cup. (This came after making history with her Grand National win in 2021.) We’re looking forward to this year’s festival, and hoping that we see similarly huge turnouts and great moments. Here’s a little more about the history of the Cheltenham Festival, and some guidance for this year’s festivities, so that both seasoned viewers and budding racing enthusiasts can get stuck in!

A Brief History

The Cheltenham Festival was started in 1860, but it has not always been the event we know and love today. Originally, the event was called the Grand National Hunt Meeting, and the first iteration was run in Market Harborough. Since then, its location frequently changed, with most Meetings being held at Warwick Racecourse. However, thanks to significant investment in the infrastructure of the racecourses at Prestbury Park, the Meeting was moved permanently to Cheltenham starting in 1911. It is unclear when the name of the event was officially changed.

As we mentioned previously, the Gold Cup is the most prestigious prize to be won at Cheltenham. It was created in 1924 with the purpose of being a supporting race for the County Hurdle, but over time it became more highly regarded, eventually becoming the most highly anticipated race of the event. The Stayers’ Hurdle, however, is the oldest existing race to have championship status, having first been run in 1912.

In 2005, the Cheltenham Festival began to span four days, doubling the original duration. It now features a total of 28 races—7 on each day— with at least one championship race per day.

Get ready for one of the most exciting weeks in the racing season!

How To Watch

Guide

Let’s now take a look at the order of events for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. In the interest of space we will only cover the championship races, but we highly recommend tuning in to watch the others too! Championship races are the pinnacle of prestige at Cheltenham, attracting the best competitors and highest prize pots. In official terms, they are ‘Grade 1’—the highest calibre of jumps race you can get. Each day’s main event will be highlighted.

Day 1: Champion Day

1:30pm Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race

2:10pm Arkle Challenge Trophy

3:30pm Champion Hurdle

4:10pm Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race

Day 2: Festival Wednesday (Ladies Day)

1:30pm Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle Race

2:10pm Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase 3:30pm Queen Mother Champion Chase 5:30pm Champion Bumper

If you’re not attending the Festival, don’t worry! You’ll be able to watch most of the important races on ITV, which continues to build its reputation as the home of racing in Britain. Not all races will be televised, however, so make sure you check for yourself to avoid disappointment.

Preview

Let’s look at some noteworthy names and favourites that will be competing at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

First up, Facile Vega is a very prominent horse that is booked to win the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, after already winning the Champion Bumper last year. Some say he is yet to reach his full potential, however, so there’s a chance it doesn’t play out as planned.

Next, the star of last year’s Festival is back. Constitution Hill will be running the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, and is set to continue his unbeaten streak with another statement victory.

Finally, we have the reigning champion defend his title in the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Wednesday. Energumene will have some tougher competition this time around, but experts are still convinced he is the horse that will lead the pack.

2:50pm Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 3:30pm Cheltenham Gold Cup

Ightham Close, LONGFIELD Offers Over £600,000

A spectacular five bedroom, detached family home, laid out over three floors, that provides a fantastic amount of living space for a growing family to include three bathrooms, a utility room, conservatory & a low maintenance garden with hot tub to name a few. The property can be found on the popular ‘The Chase’ development in Longfield, meaning you can enjoy snoozing your alarm in the mornings with Longfield Academy only 0.2 miles away, whilst grabbing groceries on your way home from work could never be simpler, with your local shops located within a couple of minutes walk from Longfield station, which in itself is only 0.4 miles away from the property.

Leydon Close, LONDON Guide Price £850,000

**GUIDE PRICE £850,000 - £900,000** - Watch the full video tour for this wonderful home. Take a look at this stunning three bedroom family home situated in a quiet close but located ideally for Rotherhithe and Canada Water Stations. This home offers to the ground floor a bright and airy lounge which is open to the dining area and modern fitted kitchen with bifold doors leading onto the rear garden, there is also a downstairs W.C. To the first floor you have three great sized bedrooms and a family bathroom.

Grice Avenue, WESTERHAM

020 8935 5256

Guide Price £600,000

GUIDE PRICE £600,000 - £650,000. Offered CHAIN FREE and providing Parking for several cars plus a Detached Garage is this THREE DOUBLE BEDROOM, DETACHED family home, positioned in a SOUGHT AFTER LOCATION in Westerham, Kent. Providing spacious accommodation throughout, with a GROUND FLOOR WC, An OPEN PLAN LIVING AREA, Utility Room all to the ground floor plus Three Double Bedrooms, Bathroom & Separate WC to the first floor and an AMAZING REAR GARDENperfect for summer barbecues and family get togethers. Nearby are plenty of schools, outdoor walks, golf courses & shops located in Addington Vale & Biggin Hill. What more could you want?! Internal viewings are by appointment only and there is a video walkthrough available too.

Burcharbro Road, LONDON

Offers Over £600,000

This THREE BEDROOM, EXTENDED, DETACHED FAMILY HOME that provides a fantastic, OPEN PLAN KITCHEN / DINING SPACEa perfect entertaining space that leads to the SPACIOUS GARDEN. The living room is located to the front of the house and provides a characterful bay window and open fire place. Upstairs are the three bedrooms & family bathroom - the master bedroom provides a WALK IN WARDROBE area too. Nearby you’ll find Bedonwell Primary School in only 0.5 miles - meaning you’ll get an extra 10 minutes lay in in the mornings, whilst Abbey Wood Station for the ELIZABETH LINE, bus links, local shops & the beautiful and historical green space at Lessness Abbey Woods, are also all nearby.

Offers Over £550,000

Offered with no forward chain, is this extended, three bedroom, two bathroom, terraced, Victorian built, family home. Providing spacious rooms and a fantastic open plan Kitchen / Dining - Family Room plus a Through Lounge & Low Maintenance Garden. The property is modern throughout and is located nearby to Plumstead Station, High Street & Local bus links too - all in all making this a great family home in a superb location. Viewings come Highly Recommended.

Sidcup Road, LONDON

Guide Price £500,000

**GUIDE PRICE £500,000 - £525,000** Take a look at this three bedroom semi detached family home which comes with off street parking and garden to rear. This home is perfect if you are looking for a home to make your own, ready to put your own stamp on it. Offering to the ground floor you have a good size open plan lounge/dining room with access to the rear garden and you also have a good size kitchen, also with access to the rear garden. To the first floor you have three bedrooms with two being good size doubles and one being a single, there is also the family bathroom too.

Lyme Road, WELLING Guide Price £450,000

**GUIDE PRICE £450,000 - £475,000** Watch the video tour of this amazing family home! Set on a popular road, nearby to shops, schools & transport is this immaculate THREE BEDROOM, DOUBLE STOREY EXTENDED, semi detached family home with OFF ROAD PARKING. The OPEN KITCHEN / DINING SPACE is perfect for get togethers with family & friends, whilst the living room is a nice private space. Upstairs you have three great sized bedrooms, whilst there is also a bathroom and separate shower room too. The garden is a good size which has numerous areas perfect for all the family, to the front you also have a good size driveway. Be sure to book your viewing today... you won’t be disappointed!

Swanley Road, WELLING Guide Price £450,000

GUIDE PRICE £450,000 - £475,000. Watch the video tour of this incredible family home! Set on a popular road, nearby to shops, schools & transport is this THREE BEDROOM, DOUBLE STOREY EXTENDED, semi detached family home with OFF ROAD PARKING & GARAGE. The OPEN KITCHEN / DINING SPACE is perfect for get togethers with family & friends, whilst the living room is a lovely space. Upstairs are the three bedrooms, whilst the bathroom has recently been renovated. The garden is a great size and also has the added benefit of having access to the garage, which could easily be converted to create space for an office or even a gym. Be sure to book your viewing today... you won’t be disappointed!