Heading to this year’s Cheltenham Festival? Or simply want to hear opinions from some of the racing industry’s leading figures?
With a buzz already in the air, over the next couple of weeks ahead of the four-day long Festival (15-18 March), Cheltenham Festival previews are taking place all over the country.
Find a Cheltenham Festival preview near you…
1. Thursday 3 March
At The Races presenter Matt Chapman will host a discussion on all things Cheltenham at Walkabout in Temple, London at 7pm. The panel includes esteemed racehorse owner Rich Ricci, whose star runners at the Festival include Douvan, Faugheen, Vautour and Annie Power. He is joined by jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, the Racing Post’s Paul Kealy and BetBright’s Sportsbook director, Noel Hayes and Joe Chambers. Tickets cost £5 and can be purchased on the evening. All proceeds from the evening will go to Oaksey House, the jockey rehabilitation centre funded by Horse & Hound’s charity of the year, The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF).
2. Wednesday 9 March
The Kings Head in Cirencester will be holding a preview night hosted by BBC Formula One presenter Tom Clarkson. The panel includes Gold Cup-winning jockey Nico de Boinville, trainer Tom Symonds and former jockey Christian Williams. The evening starts at 7pm and tickets, which cost £15, include drinks and canapés, plus an exclusive pocket preview guide. All proceeds from the evening will go to the IJF.
Telephone: 01285 700900
3. Wednesday 9 March
Enjoy traditional Yorkshire pie and peas during a preview evening hosted by Sky Bet to be held at Leeds Town Hall at 7.30pm. The panel will include At The Races presenter Alex Hammond, Irish racing expert Donn McClean, Racing UK presenter Niall Hannity, author Mark Howard, jockey Denis O’Regan and trainer Warren Greatrex. They will be joined by sportinglife.com editor Dave Ord and Sky Sports’ Ed Chamberlin.
Tickets cost £10 and include a £5 free bet.
Email: michael.shinners@skybettingandgaming.com
4. Thursday 10 March
The London Racing Club’s Cheltenham preview night wll be held at the Holiday Inn, London Kensington Forum at 7.15pm. The panel includes the BHA’s head of handicapping Phil Smith, the Racing Post’s Lee Mottershead and journalist Lydia Hislop.
Visit: www.londonracingclub.org
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5. Sunday 13 March
Some of the racing industry’s leading figures give their opinions during an evening held at Cheltenham racecourse two days before the Festival kicks off. The panel includes AP McCoy, Channel 4 Racing’s Tanya Stevenson and Paddy Brennan — the jockey of Gold Cup hopeful Cue Card. The evening will be chaired by racing commentator Richard Hoiles. Advance tickets cost £6.
Visit: cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk