Lizzie Kelly: So much racing dilutes field sizes *H&H VIP*
Horse & Hound's guest racing columnist rides the wave of her Festival win and explains Irish dominance
Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is the most prestigious race meeting in the British National Hunt (jump) racing calendar. It takes place over four days in early spring at Cheltenham racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. This year’s meeting takes place from 12-15 March 2019 and it looks set to be as exciting as ever.
The most prestigious race at ‘The Festival’ is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which has been won by such iconic horses as Arkle, Golden Miller, Best Mate, Kauto Star and Denman. Native River triumphed in the 2018 race and is expected to return to attempt to defend his crown.
Other top races held at the festival include the Champion Hurdle (Tuesday), the Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wednesday) and the World Hurdle (Thursday).
The Cheltenham Festival also hosts the Foxhunter Chase for amateur riders. Around the same course and distance as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, it typically follows the famous race on the final day of the festival.
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Credit: Bill Selwyn Richard Johnson: He gives you 110% all the time *H&H VIP*
Horse & Hound's guest racing columnist on winning the Gold Cup and breaking the whip rules
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Watch incredible paintings of the Cheltenham Festival come to life
Sporting artist Freddy Paske knocked up masterpieces of the Cheltenham action at breakneck speed after each of the four big races last week
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Credit: Bill Sewlyn Day four at the Cheltenham Festival: Native River is the Gold Cup hero, lady jockeys on form and outsiders triumph
Check out all the action from the final day of the Cheltenham Festival (Friday, 16 March)
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CHELTENHAM, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 13: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 24 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Mike Tindall, Zara Phillips and Natalie Pinkham attend day 1 'Champion Day' of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse on March 13, 2018 in Cheltenham, England. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images Zara Tindall — and 14 other famous faces at the Cheltenham Festival this week
It’s at the Cheltenham Festival (13-16 March 2018) that racing’s biggest fans can don some tweed and hope to slip under the radar as they enjoy the top class sport... Check out who we spotted this week
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Balko Des Flos ridden by jockey Davy Russell goes on to win the Ryanair Chase during St Patrick's Thursday of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Day three at the Cheltenham Festival: Cue Card pulls up, Davy Russell's treble and an impressive 18-length win
All the action from day three at the Cheltenham Festival (15 March).
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Altior on the way to victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the 2018 Cheltenham Festival Credit: Bill Selwyn Day two at the Cheltenham Festival: Altior shines amid Irish dominance and Ruby Walsh sidelined again
Brilliant Altior flies the flag for the Brits on day two, while Irish trainers dominate the rest of the card
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Buveur D'Air ridden by Barry Geraghty (front) on their way to winning the Unibet Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival during Champion Day of the 2018 Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse. Day one at the Cheltenham Festival: Buveur D'Air holds on to his crown, impressive comebacks and Festival firsts
A round-up from all the action on day one of the Cheltenham Festival — Buveur D'Air retains his title, Ruby Walsh bounces back and much more
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Cheltenham Festival Day 4 16.03.12Race 5 Winner Salsify C.J. Sweeney up How to pick a winner and what to wear: H&H's ultimate guide for first time racegoers
Don’t know the difference between a banker and a bumper? Hat or no hat? Swot up with our guide for first time racegoers
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Credit: Bill Selwyn How to watch Cheltenham Festival on TV
If you aren't able to make it to Cheltenham, plan your week following the action on TV instead
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Cheltenham Festival tips 2018: who should you back?
Before delving into your pocket for a cheeky bet at the Festival, read our experts' top tips for next week (13-16 March)
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Credit: bill selwyn Air ambulance based at Cheltenham Festival to aid injured jockeys
‘As an emergency pre-hospital service, we take the welfare of jockeys and horse riders very seriously, and on average airlift a horse rider every four days’
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Blakliion wins for Ryan Hatch 16-3-16 After top tips for the Cheltenham Festival? Get yourself to one of these preview evenings
Heading to the Cheltenham Festival? Read our round-up of preview evenings and get prepared for the highlight of the National Hunt calendar (... and impress your friends with top tips)
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‘He’d die for you’: Popular chaser retires aged 11
The Gary Moore-trained former champion chaser will enjoy his retirement hacking out with ponies and having trips to the beach
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Credit: Bill Selwyn Horse injected in stables at Cheltenham Festival: pair banned for three years
‘The real vice of what they did here was the deliberate breach of race day administration rules, combined with the welfare risks they took’
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Credit: Getty Images Trainer fined £2,000 after Cheltenham Festival favourite fails drug test
The drug is allowed to be used in horses in training, but must not be present in a horse's system on a raceday
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Over the last and Annie Power wins again 7-4-16 In-foal super mare retires
'She doesn't owe anyone anything' — the exceptional Willie Mullins-trained racehorse bows out
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Fashion at cheltenham 15-3-17 Cheltenham Festival: 15 moments that make us want to turn back the clock
How is the Cheltenham Festival over for another year? So many highs, a fair few lows, sun, rising stars, Tinder, tears, Guinness and a reassuring amount of tweed. Please can we do it all again?
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Sizing John and Robbie Power lead over the last to win the Gold cup 17-3-17 Credit: Credit: Bill Selwyn Day four at the Cheltenham Festival: Sizing John's Gold Cup glory, no joy for Tizzard's duo and Nicholls dominates the Foxhunter
It was an action-packed finale to the Festival — with triumph and disappointment for the British raiders
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Credit: Helen Revington & Stephen Sparke Betway’s Cheltenham Festival Day 4 Racing Tips: Native River for Gold Cup glory *Promotion*
Death Duty is the one to beat in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, while the Gold Cup could go one of three ways, says Betway tipster Tom Sutton
