For action-packed days, the Cheltenham racecourse will host the prelude to The Festival and the traditional start of the jump race season.
The Meeting will run from November 13th to 16th, 2020, albeit behind closed doors for this year’s event due to the coronavirus. The first and official start of the jump racing and National Hunt season after a summer of flat racing, the Meeting may only be 20 years old but does hold a special and significant place in the horse racing calendar. While the official race card for the event is yet to be made public, punters and those looking for some flutter can check out online betting hubs like the Twinspires Iowa for a piece of the action. Let us take a quick look at those three days of horse racing magic
Day one, Countryside Day
This is the first day of the Meeting, and while it is not the most popular, it is the official curtain-raiser and is never short of fun. Holding this year on Friday, 13th November, the Countryside Dya features six races, headlined by The Mucking Brilliant Paddy Power Handicap Chase and The Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Steeplechase. The races are spread evenly between hurdles and chase events.
Day Two, Paddy Power Day
Probably the biggest day of all three, the Paddy Power Day packs up to seven racing events, including the famous Paddy Power Gold cup, previously known as the BetVictor cup. It is the oldest race in the event and has been around longer than the event itself. It is also the one with the biggest prize money and a prelude to the prestigious Gold Cup in The Festival. Other notable raceson the action-packed day are the Arkle Tropy Trial Chase, the Paddy Power Handicap Hurdle, the JCB triumph Hurdle Trial, a rare flat race in the Karndean Mares’ Standard Open National Hunt. The November Amateur Riders Handicap Chase, and Paddy Power Intermediate Handicap Hurdle round up a day of live music and shopping in local and international stalls set up around the racecourse.
Day Three, The November Meeting Day
Back to the traditional six races, the last day of The Meeting is headlined by the November Handicap Chase, the Schloer Chase, unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle, and the Supreme Trial Novices’ Hurdle. A National Hunt flat race is also featured in the Standard Open, while the ball gets rolling with the mallardjewellers.com Novices’ Chase. The final day is however, most famous for the myriad of activities around the racecourse, as people are encouraged to come in families, groups, and take advantage of all the fun attractions and side events, from camel racing, horse hoppers, face painting, parades, and much more.
This year’s action may be hampered but the action will still be very present and all fans will need to do is join a live stream or follow on social media portals that will be made available by organisers.
