Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup

Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup 2012 will include a feast of gripping horse racing, Guinness drinking and hat wearing, not to mention more than £600 million-worth of wagers at the annual highlight of the jump racing calendar.

With a history dating back almost two centuries, Cheltenham has become synonymous with world class National Hunt horse racing, and from Tuesday 13 March to Friday 16 March 2012 a staggering 220,000 people will descend on Gloucestershire’s spa town for the world-famous spectacle of The Festival 2012.

Encompassing the internationally-renowned Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012, the four-day event will see more than 25 races take place, with almost £600 million being bet on some of the world’s finest race horses as they speed around Cheltenham Racecourse’s Old Course, New Course and Cross Country Steeplechase Course.

Champion Day

Tuesday 13 March 2012

The crowds are sure to roar as the tapes rises for the first race of the week, signalling the moment when racing’s favourite fixture is officially back. Today features the most important hurdle race of the season, the Stan James Champion Hurdle, when Hurricane Fly should be back to defend his crown. Plus, there will be six other cracking races to boot.

Ladies Day

Wednesday 14 March 2012

While members of the fairer sex are sure to love the Ladies Day fashion awards, the real action will still be on the track with a seven race card including the anticipated sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase. Organisers say the sight of the best two mile chasers going head-to-head is, for many, a highlight of the entire week.

St Patrick’s Thursday

Thursday 15 March 2012

Expect a real taste of Ireland in Cheltenham today, as St Patrick’s Day is celebrated a couple of days early. In-between pints of the black stuff, catch Big Buck’s attempting to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for an unprecedented fourth year in a row. The Ryanair Chase is set to be another big race on the day, with plenty of fancy dress – including fully decked out leprechauns – adding to the festival spirit.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Day

Friday 16 March 2012

It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for, the climax of the entire jump racing season and one which never fails to disappoint as an annual highlight. In 2011 it was Long Run who crossed the finish line first, pipping legends including Denman, Kauto Star and Imperial Commander to the post. Find out whether jump racing’s new young superstar can do it again, while organisers promise ‘plenty of fresh challengers eager to dethrone the reigning king’. You can also expect six other gripping races on Cheltenham Gold Cup Day 2012.

With plenty of live music, entertainment, dining and trade stands to enjoy in addition to the races, whether you’re a seasoned racingl fan or not – The Festival and Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 is not to be missed.

This page is proudly sponsored by definitive daily horse racing newspaper the Racing Post. For the complete guide to Cheltenham Festival, visit cheltenham.racingpost.com.