The Cheltenham Horse Race Festival is coming soon!

The Cheltenham Festival begins in just under a week, which means we are now very close to what is undisputedly the biggest and best horse racing festival in the world.
The festival takes place on the four days between 16th March and 19th March and each day tens of thousands of people will flock to the course to witness racing of the very highest quality.

As usual there will be the mass invasion from Ireland, from owners, trainers, jockeys and bookmakers through to the thousands who will be crossing the Irish sea making their annual pilgrimage. But will Irish eyes be smiling on St Patrick's day - which falls on day 2 of the festival - or will there be tears falling in the Guinness?

It is expected that the public will wager well over £500 million pounds on the result of the 26 festival races so it's little wonder every bookmaker worth his salt has a wide range of special offers and free bets to entice the public his way. Leading Irish Bookmaker Paddypower has a very interesting and tempting offer in the Spinal Research Supreme Novice's Hurdle: they will return all losing bets if assumed banker Dunguib wins. Also Ladbrokes are offering non-runner money back on all 26 races. I advise canny punters to search out the deals that are out there.

Every race at Cheltenham is special and highly desired and each race day has it headline race. However, the highlight of the festival is on day 4 where everything leads and builds up to the Gold Cup. In this years Gold Cup, all eyes will be on Kauto Star and Denman as they square up for their 3rd Gold Cup clash. Can Kauto Star join the ranks of Cheltenham legends Golden Miller, Arkle and Best Mate and win the cup for the 3rd time or will Denman add 2010 to his 2008 victory?

Whatever the results next week, the festival promises to excite and entertain us all over a thrilling 4 days.

I cannot wait.

Written by The Spy, 9 March, 2010 - 21:26