March
The Cheltenham Festival
Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayersâ Hurdle, Gold Cup
Cheltenham Tips & Course Profile
Gloucestershire, England · Left-handed, undulating
Cheltenham Racecourse is one of the most important venues in British racing. Below: the things every punter should know before backing a runner here, plus our latest published selections at the track.
Course Type
National Hunt
Region
Gloucestershire, England
Direction
Left-handed, undulating
Cheltenham Course Profile
Draw Bias
Draw bias is largely irrelevant on the round course: horses race over substantial distances and the draw matters little once the field strings out.
Going & Ground
Ground varies wildly through the year. The track can ride good in spring and autumn but typically softens to soft or heavy in winter. Many of Cheltenhamâs biggest races have been decided by ground preference.
Trainer & Jockey Notes
Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Henry de Bromhead and Nicky Henderson dominate the highest-profile contests. Course experience matters enormously: some horses simply donât handle the undulations or the testing finish.
Course Quirks
The notorious uphill finish is one of the stiffest in racing and finds out any horse short on stamina. Holding-up tactics work less well than at flatter tracks; you need a horse with the engine to sustain a long run from the home turn.
Big Meetings at Cheltenham
November
November Meeting
Paddy Power Gold Cup, Greatwood Hurdle
January
Festival Trials Day
Cleeve Hurdle, Cotswold Chase
October
Showcase Meeting
Pertemps Network qualifier
Recent Cheltenham tips
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