Worcestershire Tourist Guide - Articles
Cheltenham Festival 2012
Cheltenham Spa is one of England's most complete Regency towns. Situated less than a hundred miles from London and an ideal base for touring into Worcestershire, the Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon and Bath.
Its Regency town houses are characterised by intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades which line the historic Promenade, squares and terraces. With its award-winning gardens, impressive range of stylish shops and restaurants, music and literature, the town hosts several festivals of culture and of course its famous festival of horse racing.
Cheltenham is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival.
Horse racing began in Cheltenham in 1815, and has become a major national attraction after the establishment of the Festival in 1902. The racecourse attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the festival each year.
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in the nearby village of Prestbury, the home of National Hunt, or jumps, racing in the UK.
Meetings are hosted from October to April. The highlight of the season being the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is normally held in the middle of March, during the Cheltenham Festival.
The Festival is one of those rare events that exude pleasure, passion and fun in equal measure. For anyone who appreciates top class sport and the opportunity to share a special experience with like-minded people, it truly is a life affirming four days.
The Festival produces an amazing atmosphere that is unique. The combination of the huge crowds, the wonderful setting and the sense that you are watching history being made produces a sporting cocktail like no other. During the week, over 220,000 people will experience The Festival in person, many of them travelling significant distances to be here, all of who are determined to have the time of their lives.
Visitors looking for Accommodation and Great Places to Eat with a celebratory drink or two can find all they are looking for in the beautiful nearby county of Worcestershire.
The 2012 Festival runs from Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th March.
TUESDAY 13th March - Champion Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
The famous roar as the tapes rise for the first race on Tuesday signals the moment when the 12 month wait is over and racing's favourite fixture is back. The first day of The Festival features the most important hurdle race of the season, The Stan James Champion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly, a scintillating winner for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh, should be back to defend the crown he won last season and it will certainly take a good one to beat him. Six other cracking races and the unique first day atmosphere make this one of the most eagerly awaited racedays of the year.
There is also plenty of activity away from the racing on all four days of The Festival. Champion Day features a parade of past champions, entertainment around the racecourse, pre-racing interviews with racing celebrities in the parade ring and, of course, the legendary Festival Shopping village. Don't miss the first day of another famous Festival week
WEDNESDAY 14th March - Ladies Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
Wednesday at The Festival is Ladies Day, giving you an opportunity to have some fun with Ladies Day fashion awards. The real action though is on the track, with a fantastic seven race card featuring the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase. The sight of the best two mile chasers going head-to-head around the famous Cheltenham course is, for many people, the highlight of The Festival. Last season, Ireland's Sizing Europe was a brilliant winner, beating the 2010 champion, Big Zeb. The best young long-distance chasers around are showcased in the RSA Chase. Bostons Angel was a very appropriate Ladies Day winner in 2011, trained by Jessica Harrington
THURSDAY 15th March - St Patrick's Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
A real Irish flavour to this day is guaranteed, as we celebrate St Patrick's Day a couple of days early! The racing is as competitive as ever, with Big Buck's attempting to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for an unprecedented fourth year in a row. In the Ryanair Chase, the other big race of the day, Alberta's Run, trained by local legend Jonjo O'Neill, is the defending champion, having won in both 2010 and 2011. In addition to the racing, there will be plenty of Irish-style entertainment, as we party in full-on Festival Fashion. Don't miss the craic!
We are continuing our successful relationship with Cancer Research UK on this day. Over the last two years, in excess of £400,000 has been raised at The Festival and a charity race will once again be taking place as the centrepiece of the fund raising on St Patrick's Thursday
FRIDAY 16th March - Cheltenham Gold Cup Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
The climax of the entire Jump racing season is the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, the highlight of the best day's racing of the year, with an atmosphere to match. In 2011 Long Run provided trainer Nicky Henderson with a first Gold Cup in a stunning renewal of the great race. Ridden by amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and owned by his father Robert, Long Run beat Denman, Kauto Star and Imperial Commander, who between them had won the previous four Gold Cups. Jump Racing's new young superstar will be aimed at the race again this season, but there will be plenty of fresh challengers eager to dethrone the reigning king. Six other magical races, including two more Grade 1 events and three fiercely competitive handicaps, make this a day to cherish and one not to miss
Don't miss out. Make sure you're part of this legendary event.
More information HERE on the Cheltenham Festival 2012
Its Regency town houses are characterised by intricate ironwork balconies and painted stucco facades which line the historic Promenade, squares and terraces. With its award-winning gardens, impressive range of stylish shops and restaurants, music and literature, the town hosts several festivals of culture and of course its famous festival of horse racing.
Cheltenham is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival.
Horse racing began in Cheltenham in 1815, and has become a major national attraction after the establishment of the Festival in 1902. The racecourse attracts tens of thousands of visitors to the festival each year.
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in the nearby village of Prestbury, the home of National Hunt, or jumps, racing in the UK.
Meetings are hosted from October to April. The highlight of the season being the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is normally held in the middle of March, during the Cheltenham Festival.
The Festival is one of those rare events that exude pleasure, passion and fun in equal measure. For anyone who appreciates top class sport and the opportunity to share a special experience with like-minded people, it truly is a life affirming four days.
The Festival produces an amazing atmosphere that is unique. The combination of the huge crowds, the wonderful setting and the sense that you are watching history being made produces a sporting cocktail like no other. During the week, over 220,000 people will experience The Festival in person, many of them travelling significant distances to be here, all of who are determined to have the time of their lives.
Visitors looking for Accommodation and Great Places to Eat with a celebratory drink or two can find all they are looking for in the beautiful nearby county of Worcestershire.
The 2012 Festival runs from Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th March.
TUESDAY 13th March - Champion Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
The famous roar as the tapes rise for the first race on Tuesday signals the moment when the 12 month wait is over and racing's favourite fixture is back. The first day of The Festival features the most important hurdle race of the season, The Stan James Champion Hurdle. Hurricane Fly, a scintillating winner for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh, should be back to defend the crown he won last season and it will certainly take a good one to beat him. Six other cracking races and the unique first day atmosphere make this one of the most eagerly awaited racedays of the year.
There is also plenty of activity away from the racing on all four days of The Festival. Champion Day features a parade of past champions, entertainment around the racecourse, pre-racing interviews with racing celebrities in the parade ring and, of course, the legendary Festival Shopping village. Don't miss the first day of another famous Festival week
WEDNESDAY 14th March - Ladies Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
Wednesday at The Festival is Ladies Day, giving you an opportunity to have some fun with Ladies Day fashion awards. The real action though is on the track, with a fantastic seven race card featuring the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase. The sight of the best two mile chasers going head-to-head around the famous Cheltenham course is, for many people, the highlight of The Festival. Last season, Ireland's Sizing Europe was a brilliant winner, beating the 2010 champion, Big Zeb. The best young long-distance chasers around are showcased in the RSA Chase. Bostons Angel was a very appropriate Ladies Day winner in 2011, trained by Jessica Harrington
THURSDAY 15th March - St Patrick's Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
A real Irish flavour to this day is guaranteed, as we celebrate St Patrick's Day a couple of days early! The racing is as competitive as ever, with Big Buck's attempting to win the Ladbrokes World Hurdle for an unprecedented fourth year in a row. In the Ryanair Chase, the other big race of the day, Alberta's Run, trained by local legend Jonjo O'Neill, is the defending champion, having won in both 2010 and 2011. In addition to the racing, there will be plenty of Irish-style entertainment, as we party in full-on Festival Fashion. Don't miss the craic!
We are continuing our successful relationship with Cancer Research UK on this day. Over the last two years, in excess of £400,000 has been raised at The Festival and a charity race will once again be taking place as the centrepiece of the fund raising on St Patrick's Thursday
FRIDAY 16th March - Cheltenham Gold Cup Day
Gates open at 10.30am with the first race at 1.30pm. The last race is at 5.15pm.
The climax of the entire Jump racing season is the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup, the highlight of the best day's racing of the year, with an atmosphere to match. In 2011 Long Run provided trainer Nicky Henderson with a first Gold Cup in a stunning renewal of the great race. Ridden by amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen and owned by his father Robert, Long Run beat Denman, Kauto Star and Imperial Commander, who between them had won the previous four Gold Cups. Jump Racing's new young superstar will be aimed at the race again this season, but there will be plenty of fresh challengers eager to dethrone the reigning king. Six other magical races, including two more Grade 1 events and three fiercely competitive handicaps, make this a day to cherish and one not to miss
Don't miss out. Make sure you're part of this legendary event.
More information HERE on the Cheltenham Festival 2012
