Overview of the Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is in full swing at Prestbury Park, and as we head towards the final races of the day, here's how you can catch all the action on TV and live stream.
TV and Live Stream Details
ITV 1 is the go-to channel for this year's Festival, airing the first five races each day. However, the final two races, including the 4.50 Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup, will be shown on Racing TV. If you prefer to stream online, you can do so through various bookmakers with an account.
Cheltenham Race Schedule
Each day of the festival features seven thrilling races, with the standout event typically starting at 3.30pm. Here's a breakdown of the race schedule for each day:
- Champion Day – Tuesday, March 12
- Highlighted by the Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy at 3:30pm.
Style Wednesday – Wednesday, March 13
- Featuring the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase at 3:30pm.
St. Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 14
- Don't miss the Ryanair Steeple Chase at 2:50pm.
Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 15
- The prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place at 3:30pm.
How to Watch Every Cheltenham Race
If you want to catch all the Cheltenham action, tune in to ITV1 for the first five races each day from 1pm to 4.30pm. For the final two races, switch over to Racing TV to ensure you don't miss a moment of the thrilling races.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a horse be determined to be fit for a race before it starts?
The fitness of a horse is determined by a combination veterinary examinations, trainer observations and performance during workouts. Trainers watch for changes in the horse’s behavior during training while vets are looking out for signs that it is injured or sick. The horse’s behavior before the race also provides insight into how ready it is to compete.
How do horse racing betting odds work?
Betting odds in horse racing reflect the probability of a particular outcome. They can be expressed as fractions, decimals or percentages and indicate how much money a bettor could win on a winning wager. Odds are affected by the amount bet per horse, and they can change until the race. A seasoned betting will pay attention to these changes so that they can make informed wagers.
What surfaces are race tracks run on?
Horse races can be run on a variety of surfaces including synthetic, grass, and dirt. Each type of surface can affect a horse’s performance differently, and some horses may show a preference or exhibit superior abilities on a particular surface. The outcome of the race can be affected by changes in conditions, such as a muddy track caused by rain.
How do handicaps in horse races work?
In horse racing, handicapping is used to equalize the field and give each horse a fair chance of winning. Horses have different weights assigned to them based on past performances. The perceived better horses carry more weight. This system is designed to balance the competition and is a critical aspect to understand for those betting on races.
What role does a jockey have in a horserace race?
The jockey can make or break a horse race. Their decisions and skills are crucial. A skilled jockey will know how to pace their horse, when they should hold back and push forward, how to navigate the field as well as use the whip to encourage maximum effort in the final stretch. A successful partnership is dependent on the relationship between horse and jockey.
Statistics
- Horse racing events in the United Kingdom draw in a yearly attendance of over 6 million people.
- The record for the highest horse race betting turnover in a year is held by Japan, surpassing $22 billion.
- As of the latest reports, the horse racing industry contributes approximately $40 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
- Horse racing is known to support roughly 1.4 million full-time jobs in the United States alone.
- There are over 9.2 million horses in the United States, with a significant portion of these bred for the purpose of racing.
External Links
nhra.com
bloodhorse.com
racing.com
britishhorseracing.com
kentuckyderby.com
How To
How To Choose the Right Horse for Betting in Horse Racing
To select the right horse for placing a bet, start by studying the race program for horse and jockey statistics. You should look for a consistent performance in recent races. Class levels and whether the horse is moving up in class or down are important to consider. Track conditions also influence a horse’s ability to perform, so take into account the horse’s previous success on a particular track (dirty, turf or synthetic). A calm and focused horse is a good indicator of readiness to perform. You can also look at odds as an indication of what the betting public thinks about the horse. However you should always trust your analysis.
