Inside tips from the experts

Name a horse we should look out for?

Name a horse we should look out for?

A horse to watch out for 

I was very struck by Allaho who made a winning hurdling debut in a grade three contest at Clonmel last month. To throw the French-bred gelding into that contest was quite a statement by trainer Willie Mullins. Allaho obviously lacks experience but is very interesting in Friday’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.  

What must we do at least once during our day?

Grab a good vantage point early in the grandstands or on the lawns to experience a race live. It’s there you can really soak up the Festival experience and especially feel the Festival roar as the runners fight it out to the line.

Tell us something only an insider would know?

Pace yourself. It’s a long old day at the Festival. You’ll be on your feet a long time - and you don’t want to pull up before the last! 

Name a horse we should look out for?

Name a horse we should look out for?

Santini. His Festival build-up hasn’t been plain sailing - he missed Ascot’s Reynoldstown Chase because of equine flu and then pulled a shoe off in a schooling session at Newbury - but he looks just the type for the RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase.

What mustn't we miss?

Next to the entrance to the main track is where the horses arrive in their boxes. Get to the track early and you can see your equine heroes in the calm before the storm - in the company of the devoted stable staff who know them best.

Visit the Fred Archer display in the Hall Of Fame. Archer was born in Cheltenham and lived just down the road in the King’s Arms, Prestbury. He is a tragic hero - he won five Derbys and 13 jockeys’ titles - but shot himself weeks before his 30th birthday.

A horse to watch out for 

Topofthegame is considered by Paul Nicholls to the be a high-class chaser in the making, and is one of the Ditcheat big chances. If he runs well, we could see him at Aintree too!

What must we do at least once during our day?

Visit The Orchard™! New for 2018, it will be the perfect spot for Instagramming!

Tell us something an insider would always does?

Crosses the course for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Race; you can get right up close to the action!

Name a horse we should look out for?

Frodon in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday. He’s a fantastic jumper, loves Cheltenham and will have no worries with the soft ground. I’m expecting another of those memorable post-race interviews from Bryony Frost.

 

What must we do at least once during our day?

You need to get away from the packed stands and watch a race by one of the fences. The cross-county race in the middle of the course is a good opportunity to get you much closer to the action. The noise from the horses and jockeys is exhilarating.

 

Tell us something only an insider would know?

Get to the track early so you can wander around the whole site and take it all in as the atmosphere builds. Oh, and don’t forget you copy of The Sun for all the best tips and coverage!