What is changing at this year’s Cheltenham Festival?

Good news, horse racing fans – it’s almost time for the biggest event in the calendar. This year’s Cheltenham Festival gets underway in just under a month, with the world’s best horses and jockeys set to go head-to-head across four days of top-class action.

This year’s event takes place from Tuesday 11th March until Friday 14th March and the festival is home to some of the most iconic races on the planet, including the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup. Willie Mullins’ gelding Galopin Des Champs has won the event in each of the last two years and Paul Townend is favourite to complete the hat-trick in the showpiece event on the final day.

The pair stormed to a third consecutive victory in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier this month and are the clear favourites to repeat the feat at Cheltenham. Meanwhile, Constitution Hill is looking to win back his crown in the Champion Hurdle.

The Nicky Henderson trained horse stormed to victory back in 2023 but was pulled out before last year’s race, handing victory to State Man. But the unbeaten star is set to team up with Nico de Boinville once again in a bid to win the hurdle for the second time.

What’s changed for this year’s festival?

Organisers of the Cheltenham Festival are making a few changes this year, both on and off the track, in order to increase interest and field size, as well as improving the experience for visitors.

The Grade One Turners Novices’ Chase was first run in 2011 and was famously won by Ruby Walsh three years in a row on three different champions. However, the event has been downgraded and replaced by a Grade Two novice handicap chase.

Meanwhile, the National Hunt Chase is set to allow professional riders, having previously been only open to amateurs. The chase has been run more times than any other at Cheltenham and is among the festival’s oldest, having first taken place in 1860.

The prize money of the event is now at £4.93 million – the Jockey Club have increased the pot for the four-day event by £115,000. And for those planning on attending the festival, you can expect changes to your experience as well.

In an effort to increase attendance, ticket prices have been frozen this year, with discounts applied for those visiting on multiple days. Organisers have also brought in more food and drink options. Unfortunately for Guinness fans, prices of a pint are increasing by 30p. But if you join us in our exclusive hospitality areas, you can make the most of our complimentary drinks options.

Cheltenham Festival race schedule

Day 1 – Tuesday 11th March

1:20pm – The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race
2:00pm – The My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase
2:40pm – The Ultima Handicap Chase
3:20pm – The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race
4:00pm – The Unibet Champion Hurdle
4:40pm – The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race
5:20pm – The National Hunt Novices’ Chase

Day 2 – Wednesday 12th March

1:20pm – The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race
2:00pm – The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
2:40pm – The Coral Cup Hurdle
3:20pm – The Betway Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase
4:00pm – The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
4:40pm – The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
5:20pm – The Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Day 3 – Thursday 13th March

1:20pm – The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
2:00pm – The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
2:40pm – The Pertemps Network Final
3:20pm – The Ryanair Steeple Chase
4:00pm – The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
4:40pm – The TrustATrader Plate
5:20pm – The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase

Day 4 – Friday 14th March

1:20pm – The JCB Triumph Hurdle
2:00pm – The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race
2:40pm – The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase
3:20pm – The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race
4:00pm – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase
4:40pm – The St James’s Place Festival Hunters Chase
5:20pm – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival hospitality

Engage are delighted to offer exclusive hospitality at all four days of the Cheltenham Festival in our ICON facility. You’ll be located in the Long Run Boxes on level two and as well as unrivalled views of the racing action, you’ll also get all this:

●    Admission to the Club Enclosure
●    Morning coffee on arrival
●    Champagne reception
●    Complimentary bar
●    Four-course premium lunch
●    Afternoon tea
●    Expert tipsters
●    Racing icons in attendance
●    VIP hostess service

If you fancy joining us in the best seats in the house to enjoy the races in style, enquire today to reserve your place.

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