Ready. Set. Jump race!

Cheltenham Festival, the second biggest jump racing event of the year will be blocking the British calendars from Tuesday, March 13 to Friday, March 16, 2018. Being held during the holiday, St’ Patrick’s Day, makes it even more popular, especially with the Irish crowd. After clearing 500 tonnes of snow from the Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, the festival began on the softest racing surface seen in more than 25 years. With an average footfall of 260,000 and increased TV airtime, the 14th edition of the Festival has grown beyond recognition from when it began in the 1860s.

A race in which a jockey-ridden horse has to jump over obstacles such as hurdles and fences is known as a jump race. Variety of Grade one races, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle are held over a distance from 2 to 4½ miles and under certain conditions with eligibility based on the sex, age or ability of the horse during the Cheltenham Festival.

Cheltenham is famous for its infectiously loud crowd which cheers on the jockeys, trainers, owners and horses while they compete for the top position. Onlookers watch on holding their breaths with bets being placed at a massive scale on these horses, it is tense to the last second. Almost hundreds of millions of pounds are wagered over four days through online platforms of gambling companies. Over 4.5 million pounds is given away as prize money.

Apart from the enthralling races, there are plenty more fun activities that go around at the Cheltenham Festival. Both Club and Tattersalls ticket holders can visit the Hall of Fame and Trophy Room to view the winner’s trophies and learn about the racing history of Cheltenham. Jump racing legends from Best Mate to Dawn Miller cast in bronze provide the perfect photo opportunity. The Shopping Village offers quality products which will nicely serve as memorabilia for the event. The Guinness Village and the Final Flight Bar make for a good way to enjoy with friends after the races. Cheltenham prides itself on its impeccable hospitality and providing the best Jockey Club experience in the world.

The festivities have begun. The bets were riding high on last year title holder, Gordon Elliott and all-time champion trainer of Irish jump races, Willie Mullins. A surprise victory by Summerville Boy in the SkyBet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has put long absent trainer Tom George back on the bookie lists. The competition is set to be dramatic and well worth following for the next three days.