2020 Cheltenham Festival: How, when and what to watch
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The Cheltenham Festivalis one of the greatest weeks in sport, let alone racing!
So it’s always handy to know exactly what’s going on, and when it’s going on. Ahead of this year’s racing spectacular, we’ve put together a handy one-stop guide.
Cheltenham FestivalDates:
Tuesday March 10th, Wednesday March 11th, Thursday March 12th,Friday March 13th.
How to watch:
ITV Racing, Racing TV, Ladbrokes TV
Terrestrial coverage of the Cheltenham Festival will comecourtesy of ITV Racing.
Ed Chamberlin and the team will be in place at theGloucestershire track all week, and Racing TV will also bring you every race fromthe Festival, including the 17:30 contests, and other cards throughout theweek.
And of course, you can follow every crucial furlong and jumpon Ladbrokes TV in-shop. You can also catch every race when you log in onlineor on your mobile device once you’ve staked a qualifying bet.
When to watch:
First race: 13:30
Feature race: 15:30
Last race: 17:30
The Cheltenham Festival begins at 13:30 each day. Sevenraces are run each day at 40-minute intervals, with the final race at 17:30.
Each day’s feature race takes place at 15:30.
ITV will be broadcasting coverage from 13:00 to 16.30 onTuesday, Thursday and Friday, with a 14:00 to 16.30 transmission on Wednesday.
What to watch:
Cheltenham Day One – Champion Day
The Supreme Novices’Hurdle at 13:30 is always one ofthe week’s most exciting races. It’s the opening race of the Festival and isalways accompanied by the famous Cheltenham roar.
The big one on the Festival’s opening day is the Champion Hurdle at 15:30. Won by Espoir d’Allen last year, formerwinners include Buveur d’Air, Annie Power, Faugheen and Hurricane Fly.
Cheltenham Day Two – Ladies Day
Cheltenham’s second day is all about the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 15:30.Two miles and 12 fences separate the heroes and zeroes, with Altior provingunbeatable in the last two years.
Cheltenham Day Three – St Patrick’s Day
The third day of the Festival is always a cracker. Key races on St Patrick’s Day include the Ryanair Chase at 14:50, won by Frodon last year, plus greats like Un de Sceaux, Vautour and Cue Card in the past.
That’s immediately followed by the 3m Stayers’ Hurdle. Paisley Park landed this one 12 months ago, with Big Buck’s and Ruby Walsh claiming four on the spin from 2009-2012 for Paul Nicholls.
Cheltenham Day Four – Gold Cup Day
It all comes to a close on the fourth day of the Festival –Gold Cup day.
The 3m 2f Gold Cup chase at 15:30 is the signature event of the Cheltenham Festival. Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend claimed a surprise win in 2019 for Willie Mullins. Recent Gold Cup winners include Bobs Worth, Kauto Star, Denman and three-time champ Best Mate.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of date of publishing.
