The oddschecker team highlights the four feature races at the Cheltenham Festival.
There are four feature races across the Cheltenham Festival - all four are Grade 1 and classed as “Championship” races. Here is a quick overview of each.
Tuesday - Champion Hurdle
The Grade 1 Champion Hurdle is the feature race on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is open to horses aged four years or older and is run on the old course over a distance of two miles and half a furlong with eight hurdles to be jumped.
Some of the greatest hurdlers to have won this race include Istabraq (3), See You Then (3), Hurricane Fly (2), Buveur D’Air (2), Honeysuckle (2), Hardy Eustace (2), Night Nurse (2), Sea Pigeon (2) and Monksfield (2).
Wednesday - Champion Chase
The Grade 1 Champion Chase is the feature race on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is a steeplechase that is open to horses aged five or older and is competed over a distance of two miles with 13 fences to be jumped.
Some of greatest chasers to have won this illustrious race include multiple winners - Badsworth Boy (3), Viking Flagship (2), Moscow Flyer (2), Master Minded (2), Sprinter Sacre (2) and Altior (2).
Thursday - Stayers’ Hurdle
The feature on day three of the Cheltenham Festival is the Grade 1 Stayers’ Hurdle. It is run over a distance of three miles and is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the new course with 12 hurdles to be jumped.
The list of notable winners includes multiple winners such as the mighty Big Buck’s (4), Inglis Drever (3), Galmoy (2), Baracouda (2) and, more recently, Flooring Porter (2).
Friday - Cheltenham Gold Cup
The most prestigious race is the Grade 1 Cheltenham Gold Cup on the fourth and final day of the Cheltenham Festival. It is run on the new course over a distance of three miles two and a half furlongs, and there are a total of 22 fences to be jumped.
It is race that has a history of producing legends of the sport, including the likes of Golden Miller (5), Arkle (3), Best Mate (3), L’Escargot (2), Kauto Star (2), Desert Orchid (1), Denman (1) and Al Boum Photo (2).
