The stage is set for an electrifying Gold Cup Day, the grand finale of the Cheltenham Festival, where some of the finest horses will battle for glory in front of what is expected to be a record-breaking crowd. The excitement is at fever pitch, with racegoers eagerly anticipating the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) at 4:00 p.m., today (March 14th) the most prestigious race of the week. Yesterday’s St. Patrick’s Day racing was a spectacle in itself, drawing an impressive crowd of 53,366. The atmosphere was electric, and the racing lived up to the occasion, producing thrilling finishes and standout performances. Cheltenham Racecourse Chief Executive Guy Lavender summed it up best, saying, “It’s been another highly competitive day of racing, with some thrilling finishes and impressive performances to match an electric atmosphere off the track.”
As the festival reaches its climax, the first race of the day, the JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 179y, will begin at 1:20 p.m., featuring contenders such as BLUE LEMONS, CHARLUS, EAST INDIA DOCK, GIBBS ISLAND, HELLO NEIGHBOUR, LARZAC, LULAMBA, MARCHE D’ALIGRE, MONDO MAN, and PAPPANO. At 2:00 p.m., the County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 2m 179y will follow, with leading entries including DADDY LONG LEGS, ABSURDE, FILS D’OUDAIRIES, ETHICAL DIAMOND, PINOT GRIS, HANSARD, KARGESE, NDAAWI, CRACKING RHAPSODY, and MCLAUREY.
The action continues at 2:40 p.m. with the Mares’ Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 127y, featuring DINOBLUE, BRIDES HILL, LIMERICK LACE, ALLEGORIE DE VASSY, FONTAINE COLLONGES, JE T’AI PORTE, MAYHEM MYA, ROYALE MARGAUX, and SHECOULDBEANYTHING. At 3:20 p.m., the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y will see top contenders such as ARGENTO BOY, BALLYBOW, DERRYHASSEN PADDY, FIRST CONFESSION, FISHERY LANE, FLICKER OF HOPE, INN AT THE PARK, INTENSE APPROACH, JASMIN DE VAUX, and JAX JUNIOR.
Then comes the much-awaited Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (Grade 1) 3m 2f 70y at 4:00 p.m., where AHOY SENOR, BANBRIDGE, CORBETTS CROSS, GALOPIN DES CHAMPS, GENTLEMANSGAME, INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN, MONTY’S STAR, ROYALE PAGAILLE, and THE REAL WHACKER will battle for racing’s ultimate prize. At 4:40 p.m., the St. James’s Place Festival Hunters’ Chase 3m 2f 70y will be contested by ALLMANKIND, ANGELS BREATH, AU FLEURON, BARDENSTOWN LAD, CARNFUNNOCK, D’JANGO, FAIRLY FAMOUS, GO ON CHEZ, HAVEN’T TIME, and ITS ON THE LINE.
The festival will conclude at 5:20 p.m. with the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y, featuring TOUNSIVATOR, WODHOOH, NO ORDINARY JOE, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, MINELLA SIXO, THE ENABLER, UNCLE BERT, KOPECK DE MEE, TAPONTHEGO, and KARAFON.
While all eyes are on today’s grand finale, St. Patrick’s Day produced some remarkable performances as well. The day began with the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2), where AIR OF ENTITLEMENT, ridden by Rachael Blackmore and trained by Henry De Bromhead, secured victory. At 2:00 p.m., the Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2) saw CALDWELL POTTER triumph under Harry Cobden, trained by Paul Nicholls. The Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) at 2:40 p.m. was claimed by DODDIETHEGREAT, ridden by Brian Hughes and trained by Nicky Henderson.
The Ryanair Chase (Registered as The Festival Trophy) at 3:20 p.m. went to FACT TO FILE, piloted by Mark Walsh and trained by Willie Mullins. The Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) at 4:00 p.m. saw BOB OLINGER emerge victorious, giving Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead another major win. At 4:40 p.m., the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) was won by JAGWAR, guided by Jonjo O’Neill Jr. and trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero.
The day concluded with the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (Sponsored by Thames Materials) at 5:20 p.m., where DAILY PRESENT secured a hard-fought victory under Mr. B.T. Stone, trained by Paul Nolan. However, the day was not without sorrow, as racegoers witnessed the unfortunate passing of SPRINGWELL. Guy Lavender extended his condolences while also looking ahead to Gold Cup Day, which is set to deliver a thrilling climax to the festival.
