Updates
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Champion Bumper
The Champion Bumper, currently sponsored by Weatherbys (which administers racing under contract from the British Horseracing Authority), is run over 2 miles and 110 yards on the Old Course at Cheltenham. Like other races of its kind, the Champion Bumper is restricted to National Hunt horses aged between four and six years and is run under…
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County Handicap Hurdle (The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle)
The County Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 contest, run over 2 miles 1 furlong on the New Course at Cheltenham, where it is currently scheduled as the second race on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival in March. Historically, the County Hurdle was the last race at the Festival and, granted its highly competitive…
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National Hunt Chase (The Princess Royal National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase)
The National Hunt Chase, or National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup, to give the race its full title, is run over 4 miles on the Old Course at Cheltenham, where it is currently scheduled as the penultimate race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival in March each year. The National Hunt Chase is open…
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Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Registered as the Spa Hurdle, the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is a fairly recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival programme, having been run for the first time in 2005. Originally framed as a Grade 2 contest and sponsored by Brit Insurance, the race was upgraded to Grade 1 status in 2008, at which point sponsorship…
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Novices’ Handicap Chase
The Novices’ Handicap Chase, most recently run, for sponsorship purposes, as the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, is a Class 1 Listed contest open to horses aged 5 years and upwards, officially rated between 0 and 140, according to the British Horseracing Authority (BHA). The race is run over 2 miles 4 furlongs and 78…
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Cheltenham Gold Cup
It’s often written that, as the highlight of the entire National Hunt season, the Cheltenham Gold Cup requires little or no introduction. However, if you’re new to National Hunt racing, or racing in general, you might like to know what all the fuss is about. In terms of nuts and bolts, the Cheltenham Gold Cup…
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Ryanair Chase
Registered as the Festival Trophy, the Ryanair Chase is a fairly recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival programme, having been run for the first time in 2005. The race is run over 2 miles 5 furlongs on the New Course at Cheltenham and is open to horses aged five years and upwards. Currently scheduled for…
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The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is run over 3 miles and 110 yards on the Old Course at Cheltenham, where it is currently scheduled as the second race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival in March each year. The The Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase is open to novices – that is, horses that…
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Cheltenham Festival Races – Schedule 2026
There are of course changes to the Cheltenham Festival race schedule over the years, but as of 2026 this is the running order of the races spanning the unmissable four day Cheltenham Festival. If you’re instead interested in the royal ascot, then look here. Day 1: Tuesday – Champions Day 1.20pm The Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle…
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Champion Hurdle
The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day celebration of National Hunt racing, which takes place at Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire in March every year. National Hunt racing first took place at Prestbury Park, but the Champion Hurdle wasn’t added to the Cheltenham Festival programme until 1927. Nowadays, the Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the first…