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The Cheltenham Festival takes place between Tuesday 11 - Friday 14 March 2025, and it promises to be an event to .

 

Gates open at 10:30 on each of the four days of the Festival. First race at 13:20 and the last race at 17:20

 

*Please note the timings are subject to change.

 

 

Day 1 - Tuesday 11th March

 

Seven races are scheduled for Day One of the Cheltenham Festival. The feature race of the day is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a 2 mile Grade 1 race. This takes place at 16:00. 

 

Start Times

Race

Distance

Type

TELEVISED

13:20

The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)

2m 

Hurdle

ITV

14:00

My Pension Expert Arkle Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

2m

Chase

ITV

14:40

The Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase

3m abt 1f

Chase

ITV
15:20 The Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle (Grade 1)

2m 4f

Hurdle ITV

16:00

The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)

2m

Hurdle

ITV

16:40

The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

2m

Hurdle

17:20

The National Hunt Chase (Novices' Handicap)

3m abt 6f

Chase

 

Day 2 - Wednesday 12th March

 

On the second day, the highlight is The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. Runners in this Grade 1 event jump over 12 fences over the course of 2 miles. It is the highlight of the traditionally known ladies' day and is off at 16:00.

 

Start Times

Race

Distance

Type

TELEVISED

13:20

The Turners Novices' Hurdle Race (Grade 1)

2m 5f

Hurdle

ITV

14:00

The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

3m

Chase

ITV

14:40

The Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 

2m abt 5f

Hurdle

ITV
15:20 Glenfarclas Cross Country Limited Handicap Chase 3m 5f Chase ITV

16:00

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 2m

Chase

ITV

16:40

The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase 

2m

Chase

17.20

The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

2m

Bumper

 

Day 3 - Thursday 13th March

 

One of the key dates for Cheltenham Festival 2024 is St Patrick's Day, as it marks the third day of racing. The two feature races of today are The Ryanair Steeple Chase at 15:20 and The Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle at 16:00.

 

Start Times

Race

Distance

Type

TELEVISED

13:20

The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 

2m abt 1f

Chase

ITV

14:00

The Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase 

2m 4f

Chase

ITV
14:40 Pertemps Network Final (Handicap Hurdle) 3m Chase ITV

15:20

The Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) 2m 4f

Chase

ITV

16:00

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

Hurdle

ITV

16:40

The Trustatrader Plate (Handicap Chase)

2m 4f

Chase

ITV

17:30

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup (sponsored by the JRL Group) (0-145)

3m abt 2f

Chase

 

Day 4 - Friday 14th March - Gold Cup Day

 

The focus of the day will be The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, as the name suggests. Over three miles and two furlongs long, this is the premier race of the event. It will begin at 16.00, and the winner will take home the Gold Cup.

 

Start Times

Race

Distance

Type

TELEVISED

13:20

The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)

2m

Hurdle

ITV

14:00

The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle

2m

Hurdle

ITV

14:40

The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Grade 2)

2m 4f

Chase

ITV
15:20 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m Hurdle ITV

16:00

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1)

3m 2f

Chase

ITV

16:40

The St. James Place Festival Hunter Chase

3m 2f

Chase

ITV

17:20

The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 

2m 4f

Hurdle

Plan Your Visit

When and What Time?

When and What Time?

Everything you need to know in prepartation for your visit to Cheltenham Racecourse including timings, facts and directions.

Cheltenham Festival Style

Cheltenham Festival Style

Although there isn't an official dress code for The Festival, smart is preferable and often adopted. We advise you to check the forecast and dress accordingly to make your day with us as extraordinary as possible.

Plan Your Day

Plan Your Day

Plan your visit to The Cheltenham Festival, from the Shopping Village, to live music, to discounts on group bookings. 

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