The Festival

Tuesday 10th to Friday 13th March 2009

The roar of the crowd as the tapes rise for the first race of the Festival each year tells you everything you need to know - 12 months of waiting is over!

Over the course of the week, around 230,000 people will be here to witness the action and soak up the atmosphere. Across the country, well over £500 million will be wagered on the outcome of our 25 races.

Off the track, there is plenty of entertainment on offer with trade stands, music in all enclosures and an amazing variety of dining, entertaining and hospitality options.

The feature race on Tuesday is The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, the most sought after prize anywhere for 2 miles hurdlers.

On Wednesday the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase take centre stage. See the best two mile chasers in a fast and furious contest over the famous Cheltenham fences. For many, this is the most exciting race of the season.

On Thursday, also Ladies Day, the long distance hurdlers contest The Ladbrokes World Hurdle. Only the brave and the strong prevail in this three mile contest. Inglis Drever made history by winning the race for the third time in 2008. The Ryanair Chase is another Grade 1 highlight on Thursday.

Then comes Friday and the highlight of the entire Jump season: the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup. This is the race that every owner trainer and jockey dreams of winning and it takes a very special horse to win more than once.

Denman led home Kauto Star and Neptune Collognes in a Paul Nicholls-trained 1-2-3 in 2008 and will be looking to add his name to those of legends Golden Miller, Arkle and Best Mate as multiple winners of Jumping's Blue Riband event.