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For four days in
March, the normally genteel SPA town of Cheltenham plays host to
one of the World's most spectacular racing events.
Referred to as 'The Cheltenham Festival', the blue riband event
of the National Hunt season attracts
over 200,000 people annually.
Additional millions watch and listen from afar marvelling at the
spectacle, and praying for a little luck with their bets.
Since the meeting was first held in 1902, the festival has developed
into the most important fixture in the jumping calendar.
Racing of the highest quality includes title showdowns for the
Cheltenham Gold Cup (first run in 1924), Champion Hurdle (first run in
1927) and the Queen Mother Champion Chase (first run in 1957).
These feature events are supported by a fantastic array of supporting
races, including the Arkle Trophy, Triumph Hurdle and even the
Championship Bumper, a National Hunt flat race with no obstacles. |