Cheltenham Festival 2022

Cheltenham Festival

The time has rolled around once more for the Cheltenham Festival, which will take place between Tuesday, March 15 and Friday, March 18 this year. Featuring 28 separate races, many of which are hotly contested, and around 500 horses competing in such, the 2022 event is set to be another exciting spectacle.

Cheltenham Festival includes 14 Grade One races, and these occur over four seven-racecards, with the best horses, trainers and jockeys all vying for the glory of victory and their share of the prize money.

So, what should you be looking out for as a spectator or bettor of the festival?

Day one is set to include the Unibet Champion Hurdle event as its headliner. This has been won by horses like Istabraq, Hurricane Fly, and last year’s victor, Honeysuckle, which was ridden by Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore. Meanwhile, off the track will be plenty of entertainment to experience, such as The Wickermen and Murphy’s Marbles both performing throughout the day. Jazz music from The Hipcats is also scheduled.

On the second day of the festival, which is traditionally known as Ladies Day, the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase will take place. Some of the recurring winners of this event in the new millennium include Altior, Sprinter Sacre and Master Minded. Last year’s victor was seven-year-old Put the Kettle On, ridden by Aidan Coleman. Additional musical acts will be performing during this day as well, such as Taylor & The Masons as well as Got2Sing – a local choir.

More to Enjoy in the Second Half of the Festival

Day three, famously known as St Patrick’s Thursday and celebrating all things Irish, incorporates the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle events as headliners. Guests have the chance to win St Patrick’s Day-themed prizes by playing the Wheel of Wealth. Meanwhile, in The Guinness Village, the Lucky 15s will be banging out some Irish hits and spectacular jigs. Put on your best green attire and see if the luck of the Irish is with you!

Gold Cup Day is the final day of the festival, and you’ll get to experience The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. This serves as the feature race of the entire festival, grabbing the attention of spectators, trainers and jockeys alike. Winners of this race always go down in history alongside well-known horses and jockeys of the past. Last year’s winner Minella Indo, ridden by Irishman Jack Kennedy, managed to stop horse Al Boum Photo from picking up a hat trick of victories. Which rider is going to come out of this year’s event as the victor?

If you are visiting Cheltenham Festival this year, then you can enhance your day even more. An excellent range of hospitality features will be on hand, such as panoramic views and an unrivalled dining experience, while Orchard Pods accommodate between 12 and 20 guests for a more relaxed dining option and a private balcony.

Other races to keep a close eye on during the festival include Day One’s Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle, Day Three’s Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase, and Day Four’s Foxhunter Chase.