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?
Everything you need to know in prepartation for your visit to Cheltenham Racecourse including timings, facts and directions.
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 visit to The Cheltenham Festival, from the Shopping Village, to live music, to discounts on group bookings.