Cheltenham racecourse
There are few sporting occasions offering more anticipation and excitement than The Festival over four days in mid March, when the home of Jump racing stages the highlight of the season, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Champion Hurdle. There are other big meetings too, including The Open in November, The International in December and Festival Trials Day in January.
Both the Old and New courses are left-handed ovals of about a mile and a half in circumference, with chutes for the starts of races run over 2 1/2 miles and 4 miles. There is also a unique Cross Country Course, which stages three races each year, in November (at The Open), December (at The International) and March (at The Festival). All three courses are undulating, with an uphill run to the finishing line of around 240 metres, which has been witness to many a dramatic finish.
| Address: | Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Prestbury, Cheltenham, GL50 4SH |
| Tel: | 0844 579 3003 |
| Website: | http://www.cheltenham.co.uk |
| Email: | cheltenham@thejockeyclub.co.uk |
| Admission: | Varies according to meeting. Under 18s are admitted free, except at The Festival |
| Road: | 1 mile north of town off A435 |
| Rail: | To Cheltenham Spa station, taxi or bus to course |
| Car park: | £10 at The Festival, £5 on Open Saturday. Free at other meetings |
| Jumps: | The new left-hand oval course has ten stiff fences with seven hurdles per circuit. On the new track the last half-mile is all uphill with a run-in of 237yds. |
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