Table of Contents
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing
Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news
The horse racing season has fully hit its stride, with the great spectacle that is the Cheltenham Festival now underway.
The Festival takes place over four days in March, starting with Champion Day, then it’s Style Wednesday on day two, and St Patrick’s Day falling on day three before finishing with Gold Cup Day.
There will be 28 races to enjoy, which began with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle won by Rachael Blackmore on Slade Steel, as well as State Man taking the Champion Hurdle, while Friday’s finale will feature the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins will be looking to make it six years in a row as the trainer with the most wins at the Festival, while his jockey Paul Townend has been the outstanding rider in three of the past four years. The jockey who broke that streak, Blackmore, will also be riding at Cheltenham this year.
Find the latest Cheltenham odds and free bet offers with Independent Sport ready to provide daily coverage from the festival and get our free betting newsletter for the latest Cheltenham odds, offers and tips. Sign up here.
Jockey Paul Townend, right, with Irish trainer Willie Mullins
(AFP via Getty Images)
When is 2024 Cheltenham Festival?
The Festival begins on Tuesday 12 March and concludes on Friday 15 March.
The first race is scheduled for 1.30pm GMT each day, and the final race of the day is set to begin at 5.30pm. The championship race will be run at 3.30pm.
Get our free betting newsletter for the latest Cheltenham odds, offers and tips. Sign up here.
Here is the full race schedule:
Champion Day – Tuesday, March 12
13:30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle: 1. Slade Steel 7/2; 2. Mystical Power 10/3; 3. Firefox 11/2
14:10 – Arkle Challenge Trophy: 1. Gaelic Warrior 2/1; 2. Found A Fifty 13/2; 3. Il Etait Temps 7/2
14:50 – Handicap Steeple Chase: 1. Chianti Classico 6/1; 2. Twig 28/1; 3. Meetingofthewaters 6/1
15:30 – Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy: 1. State Man 4/11; 2. Irish Point 9/2; 3. Luccia 50/1
16:10 – Mares’ Hurdle: 1. Lossiemouth 4/6; 2. Telmesomethinggirl 25/1; 3. Hispanic Moon 50/1
16:50 – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle: 1. Lark In The Mornin’ 9/1; 2. Eagles Reign 80/1; 3. Ndaawi 12/1
17:30 – National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup: 1. Corbetts Cross 15/8; 2. Embassy Gardens 7/4; 3. Mr Vango 14/1
Style Wednesday – Wednesday, March 13
13:45 – Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle: 1. Ballyburn 1/2; 2. Jimmy Du Seuil 50/1; 3. Ile Atlantique 13/2
14:30 – Novices’ Steeple Chase: 1. Fact To File 8/11; 2. Monty’s Star 11/2; 3. Giovinco 40/1
15:15 – Coral Cup Hurdle: 1. Langer Dan 13/2; 2. Ballyadam 13-2; 3. Shanbally Kid 12/1
16:00 – Queen Mother Champion Chase: 1. Captain Guinness 11/1; 2. Gentleman de Mee 22/1; 3. Funambule Sivola 125/1
16:10 – Cross Country Chase – CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER
16:50 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup: 1. Unexpected Party 12/1; 2. Libberty Hunter 6/1; Path D’oroux 10/1
17:30 – Champion Bumper: 1. Jasmin De Vaux 9/2; Romeo Coolio 18/1; Jalon D’oudairies 3/1F
St Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 14
13:30 – Turners Novices’ Chase
14:10 – Pertemps Network Final
14:50 – Ryanair Steeple Chase
15:30 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
16:10 – Magners Plate
16:50 – Jack de Bromhead Mares Novices’ Hurdle
17:30 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 15
13:30 – Triumph Hurdle
14:10 – County Handicap Hurdle
14:50 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
15:30 – Cheltenham Gold Cup
16:10 – Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase
16:50 – Mares’ Steeple Chase
17:30 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle
How to buy tickets
Tickets are being sold to the general public across the four days. There are a number of options, including the Club Enclosure, the Tattersalls Enclosure and Best Mate Enclosure, which is the cheapest with prices from £52 per person. Grandstand tickets have sold out.
Check here to see if you are eligible for Cheltenham free bets.
