Why is the Cheltenham Festival so Important?

When it comes to National Hunt racing, the four-day Cheltenham Festival is the most important one held. It's packed with great racing over the fences and hurdles. There's a spectacular Cross Country Chase and Champion Bumper thrown in for good measure. This article will look at:

Why is the Chelenham Festival considered so important?
What betting opportunities are available?
What are the top races?

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Why is the Cheltenham Festival So Important?

They say that all roads lead to Cheltenham and that's true. The plan is to prepare your horses for this festival. The rest of the year has important races but it's getting a Cheltenham winner that is the dream of all trainers, jockeys and owners. You can win races at Sandown, Chepstow or Aintree but until you get a festival winner, you haven't truly made it.

As you will read, this festival contains some of the most important races of the season. Champions will be crowned, future stars will be created. It's just four days of fantastic racing and of course with plenty of betting opportunities.

Races have been held at Cheltenham since the 19th century. They hold other meetings during the year but none compare to the one held each March. It's a festival like no other with many fans making their way from Ireland when possible. The fact the meeting regularly coincides with St Patrick's Day makes it even more special. There are many Irish winners too, so even more to celebrate. The Cheltenham Roar is the amazing sound that is heard during races when possible of course.

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What Betting Opportunities Are Available?

You can bet on the top Cheltenham races all year around. As the latest festival begins, there are already odds available on the next year's festival.

Bookmakers will have prices for all of the festival races. They will have special offers too, it's a great time for them to try and get new site members. There will be free bets offered, additional places paid out on and enhanced odds. This is one of the biggest weeks for the online bookmakers whatever the sport, so they will have lots of offers.

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What are the top races?

Each of the four days of racing has high grade events. The first day sees the Champion Hurdle take place. As the title of the race says, this race crowns the Champion hurdler and some great horses have won this contest. On day two, the main race is the Queen Mother (who loved her horse racing and owned many winners) Champion Chase. This is run over a distance of two miles.

Day three has the Stayers' Hurdle and the best is saved for day four with the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Some legendary horses have won this race in the past. This year sees Al Boum Photo trying to win the race for the third successive year.

There are plenty of other top races over the four days. There's the Triumph Hurdle that has been won by many bright prospects. The Cross Country Hurdle sees runners on a course that includes a variety of obstacles to get over. The Foxhunters' Chase is seen as the equivalent of the Cheltenham Gold Cup for amateur riders. With several handicaps you could spend all week trying to work out, this really is a great four days of racing.

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Why is the Cheltenham Festival so Important?

Why is the Cheltenham Festival So Important?

What Betting Opportunities Are Available?

What are the top races?

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