Al Boum Photo jumping the final fence at Cheltenham last year© Photo Healy Racing
Now that the Christmas rush is over and the madness of the new year is coming to a close, horse racing fans can finally look forward to one of the highlights of the racing year, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious race of the four-day Cheltenham Festival which takes place over four day in March.
From the 10th-13th of March, William Hill horse racing will be providing a range of odds on who will come out on top this year, with impressive offers on old favourites as well as rookie contenders.
Who to look out for
Earlier this month it was revealed that a total of 31 racers were entered for the UK’s most prestigious horse race, with established names as well as new faces prepped to test their resolve on the racecourse.
The first name most people will look to will be Al Boum Photo, who will attempt to retain his title after last year’s memorable success. If he does, he’ll be the first horse to win successive Gold Cups since Best Mate made it three wins in a row in 2004 - following in the footsteps of such legendary greats as Golden Miller, L’Escargot, Arkle and Cottage Rake as multiple Champions.
Native River and Sizing John are also previous winners of the Gold Cup that are again in the mix this year while the up-and-coming Clan Des Obeaux will be a noteworthy runner after retaining the Boxing Day King George VI Chase title for the second year in a row last month.
Other leading contenders include Lostintranslation who may prove a horse to keep an eye on after success at the 2019 Betfair chase, though he disappointed behind Clan Des Obeaux in the King George and Delta Work, who won the Savill's Chase at Leopardstown last month. The calibre of horses competing for the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year will be higher than ever, and fans at the festival can expect excitement and spectacle to reach fever pitch on Friday 13th March.
Delta Work on his way to victory at Leopardstown last month© Photo Healy Racing
The Festival
With 28 races over four days, the total prize money this year has risen to an astounding £4.5 million. People from all over the country, as well as horse racing fanatics from around the globe, will be looking to enjoy the festivities as well as placing their bets on who they think will come on top. With four days of races, it’s always worth studying each one and betting smart.
Feature Races at the Festival
Day one - The Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy race, prize money of £450,000
Day two - The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steele Chase, prize money of £400,000
Day three - The Ryanair Steeple Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle Race, both with prize money of £350,000
Day four - The Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase race, where one team of owner, trainer and jockey will have a share of £625,000 if they come out as champions
Though the horse racing will be the focus of the week, the festival will also encompass world-class hospitality, live music and even shopping outlets for the expected 265,000 people that will attend the Cheltenham venue over the four days.
