The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most celebrated meets of the horse racing calendar. And, with four days of pure horse racing entertainment taking place between the 10th and 13th March, is there any wonder why?
The Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup stand out amongst the multitude of races as hundreds of four-legged stars take to the Gloucestershire turf. Al Boum Photo is 4/1 favourite to win the Gold Cup, with Epatante at 10/3, Altior at 9/4 and A Plus Tard at 3/1 favourites to win the other respective races. But, with the horse racing calendar live for ten months of the year, taking advantage of the horse racing tips for today can yield much greater results, rather than waiting for the big event in March.
Cheltenham is, however, a major attraction, but just what can be guaranteed to happen during the Festival in 2020?
Debates for a five-day Cheltenham to intensify
The Cheltenham Festival is currently four days long with calls to increase that to five coming from wide and far including from Champion Hurdle winner Alderbrook and Gold Cup winner Master Oats in 1995, trainer Kim Bailey.
There is, naturally, opposition to such a move, but there was opposition when race organizers increased the number of days from three to four way back in 2005. Some say it will dilute the quality of racing, spreading the action more thinly whilst those such as Bailey believe commercial pressures will make it happen eventually.
Endless tips from someone ‘in the know’
Each year, horse racing enthusiasts place a number of bets on potential winners at Cheltenham. But, there is always one person out of a friendship group that pretends to know someone in the game that recommends ‘bankers’ – that is, surefire horses to win.
Of course, most of it is nonsense even if one of the horses does indeed come in. But, just be wary of endless tips that more often than not fall way short of the mark.
An exaggerated amount of alcohol to be consumed
It’s the Cheltenham Festival, it’s party time, right? That is certainly true for not only those thousands that flock to the Cheltenham Racecourse, but also those watching intently at home or at a local pub.
Copious amounts of booze will be consumed as punters either drown their sorrows or celebrate a windfall, but, preferably stay out of the way of those revellers the morning after.
A victory in numbers
Whilst the pull of pound sterling yields over a £100 million boost to the Gloucestershire economy, the numbers in general will hit unbelievable heights. For example, 134,600 people will use Cheltenham Spa train station over the four days of racing whilst over 45,000 bread rolls will be eaten by spectators and over 8,000 gallons of tea and coffee will be served with over 350 chefs on site. It truly is a celebration of numbers.
Say how much you are looking forward to next year
This year’s Cheltenham Festival won’t even be over by the time you say how excited you are for Cheltenham 2021. Live in the moment people. Don’t throw away this year’s fun for thinking about how it can be topped the year after.
