Saturday 27 January 2024
Festival Trials Day
8 Races, 8 Trials
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THE STAGE IS SET
Excitement, anticipation and expectation is building. It is the final opportunity to see the sports protagonists go out to battle on Cheltenham Racecourse’s hallowed turf before the Cheltenham Festival. What horses will catch the eye before those four days of extraordinary in March, will we see returning champions defending their crown? Whilst anything can happen in March, Festival Trials day maybe able to give us a clearer picture.
With a now eight-race card, where every race is a trial for a race at the Cheltenham Festival, it doesn’t get much more exciting, unless it is the Festival itself. The excitement isn’t restricted to the track, with fantastic entertainment during the day and The Wickermen performing live music after racing, it is a seamless prelude to the Cheltenham Festival.
Last year’s renewal included the highly anticipated match between 2022 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Energumene and the 2022 Sporting Life Arkle winner Edwardstone didn’t disappoint, however it was the Gary Moore trained Editeur Du Gite that returned first past the post. But when he returned in March, Energumene reversed the form when winning back-to-back Queen Mother Champion Chases.
The Dahlbury Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle, the highly recognised trial for the Grade 1 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, a race the Emma Lavelle trained Paisley Park has made his own in recent years. However, last year’s race was won by French raider Gold Tweet. Ahoy Senior was a hugely popular winner of the Grade 2 Paddy Power Cotswold Chase for dual Grand National winning trainer Lucinda Russell.
Come along this year, to mark your card ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
Under 18’s race free and do not require a ticket to enter.
Timings and races are subject to change.
Gates Open
10:00am
RACEDAY PREVIEW
11:20 - 11:50
Live in the Parade Ring
First Race
12:05pm
Last Race
4:10pm
Start Times |
Race |
Distance |
Type |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
12:05 |
The JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 2) (Registered as the Finesse) (GBB Race) |
2m abt 1f |
Hurdle |
|
12:40 |
The Timeform Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 2) | 2m abt 4½f | Steeple Chase |
|
1:15 |
The Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) | 2m abt 4½f | Steeple Chase |
 |
1:50 |
The Paddy Power Cotswold Steeple Chase (Class 1) (Grade 2) |
3m abt 1½f |
Steeple Chase |
 |
| 2:25 | The My Pension Expert Clarence House Chase (Class 1) (Grade 1) | 2m ½f | Steeple Chase | |
3:00 |
The Unibet Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 2) | 2m abt 1f | Hurdle |
 |
3:35 |
The McCoy Contractors Cleeve Hurdle Race (Class 1) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) | Abt 3m |
Hurdle |
 |
4:10 |
The SSS Super Alloys Novices’ Hurdle (Class 1) (Registered as the Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) | 2m abt 4½f |
Hurdle |
FESTIVAL TRAILS DAY ENTERTAINMENT
Joe Wheldon will be welcoming guest as they arrive at the Centaur Entrance at 10:00 & The Hipcats at the North Entrance and after will be roaming around site throughout the day.
Head to the activation zone under the crescent walkway above the parade ring, to experience equicizers, fences, hurdles, book signings for the Gold Cup, and a view of our prestigious trophy the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Join our presenters Aly Vance and Hayley Moore as they're on hand to guide you through the day’s card with our raceday preview show featuring special guests and punters panel before racing at 11:20.
Visit The Shopping Village at Cheltenham racedays offering an ideal shopping opportunity.
Tommy Lewis will be singing live on the Quevega's stage throughout the day.
*Don't rush off after racing as The Wickermen, who are one of the UK's most in demand rock band will be Live in The Centaur after the last race.
*Centaur capacity is limited, access to live music after racing is on a first come first served basis.
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Excitement, anticipation and expectation is building. It is the final opportunity to see the sports protagonists go out to battle on Cheltenham Racecourse’s hallowed turf before the Cheltenham Festival.
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