Cheltenham racecourse is affectionately known as the "Home of National Hunt racing" and for over 100 year's the course has tested horses time and time again.
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Cheltenham racecourse has two courses known as the Old and New and both are extremely testing to horse and jockey
even though the courses are of different layouts. Cheltenham is a left-handed oval course with the last 4
furlongs uphill all the way, testing the stamina in many a horse. Fences are generally fair and the open ditches
are wider than usual. The Cheltenham course is a track which has its fair share of course specialists, horses that return
time after time competing in some of National Hunts great races, "Arkle", "Best Mate",
"L'escargot" to name three who have had multiple wins at this great course.
The four-day Cheltenham Festival in March featuring six races on each day, is one of the most prestigious meeting of the
racing calender. The opening day has the Champion Hurdle. wednesday features the Queen Mother Champion Chase while World
Hurdle (Stayers’ Hurdle) is now the highlight of thursday card and friday has the Gold Cup day. The first two days of the
Festival are run on the Old Course and the last two days will be run on the New Course.
In November the premier meeting is the three day Paddy Power sponsored festival, but racing begins in earnest during the
last week of October.
The Centaur is a £14 million development that more than doubles the facilities in the Grandstand complex at the
Racecourse. The entrance foyer leads to the Hall of Fame and to the large auditorium, bars, food, stalls and betting outlets
including the Tote. There's also a stage area and room for a giant screen, which will allow racegoers to watch all the racing
action as it happens. The upper level of the auditorium has 600 tiered seats, access to the Istabraq Bar, named in honour
of the three-times Smurfit Champion Hurdler. The Centaur is also used as a business centre and entertainment auditorium
bringing in additional revenue from non-racing days. Exhibitions, fairs and concerts take place on none race days.
Cheltenham racecourse is a mile from Cheltenham town centre. Take the A40 or M5 to Cheltenham and follow the signs to the
course. Cheltenham Spa rail station links with a bus service direct to the racecourse or if visitors can incorporate a nostalgic
steam train ride from the GWR station at Toddington terminating at the Racecourse Station on the edge of the course.
