Racing fans are counting down the days to what is often said to be the showcase week of the jump racing season – the Cheltenham Festival.
The famous Cotswolds racecourse hosts the week-long festival every March, with the biggest names in jump racing heading to the venue for some elite races. There are 28 races scheduled at Cheltenham, including 14 Grade 1 events, with a staggering 65,000 spectators expected each day.
Recent years have seen the introduction of the Prestbury Cup which sees owners from Great Britain and Ireland compete to see which nation can land the most winners – with Ireland the current holders. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the big event.
When is the 2025 Cheltenham Festival?
This year’s festival gets under way on Tuesday, March 11 and runs until Friday, March 14, 2025.
When are the races at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival?
Each day sees seven races, with the first at around 1.20pm and the final race of the day about 5.20pm.
Is the 2025 Cheltenham Festival on TV?
Yes, ITV will show almost every race from this year’s festival. Alternatively, Racing TV – available through Sky and Virgin Media – will show every race.
What are the big races at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival?
The showpiece race is always the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the final day of the festival. Day one sees the Champion Hurdle, with the The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase on the Wednesday and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle on the Thursday.
What is the 2025 Cheltenham Festival schedule?
Tuesday
- 13:20 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 Arkle Chase
- 14:40 Ultima Handicap Chase
- 15:20 Mares Hurdle
- 16:00 Champion Hurdle
- 16:40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
- 17:20 National Hunt Chase
Wednesday
- 13:20 Turner’s Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
- 14:40 Coral Cup Hurdle
- 15:20 Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
- 16:00 Queen Mother Champion Chase
- 16:40 Grand Annual Chase
- 17:20 Champion Bumper
Thursday
- 13:20 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
- 14:00 Jack Richards Novices’ Chase
- 14:40 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle
- 15:20 Ryanair Chase
- 16:00 Stayers’ Hurdle
- 16:40 Festival Plate Handicap
- 17:20 Kim Muir Handicap Chase
Friday
- 13:20 Triumph Hurdle
- 14:00 County Hurdle
- 14:40 Mares Chase
- 15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
- 16:00 Gold Cup
- 16:40 St James’s Place Hunters’ Chase
- 17:20 Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Where is the Cheltenham Festival?
Cheltenham Racecourse is situated near Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire. Pre-booked parking is available and the nearest train station is Cheltenham Spa.
Who to look out for at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
The thrill of racing is that there are always surprises to upset the odds, but it’s also a chance to see some of the best in action. Some names which catch the eye include Galopin Des Champs, Banbridge and Fact To File in the Gold Cup, while Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead go in the Champion Hurdle. Jonbon is the favourite for the Queen Mother Champion Chase and Teahupoo leads the field in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/uk-sport-news/cheltenham-festival-2025-tv-channel-31120961
