The National Hunt horse racing season starts this week, and there's just 17 days until the first meeting at Cheltenham Racecouse.

The Showcase, a 2-day meeting on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October, kicks off the season for many racing enthusiasts here in the Cotswolds. 

In addition to great racing, why not celebrate the start of the season in style with the first ever Cheltoberfest on both days of The Showcase meeting, including live music from The Bierkeller Boys, a range of local real ales, and tips from a racing tipster before racing commences.

For more information and tickets, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-showcase

The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power opened its doors again after its shock closure in July. 

The famous 17th century Cotswolds racing pub has been taken over by The Lucky Onion Group, which is owned by Julian Dunkerton. 

​Obviously we pooped down and had a look. The pub's interior looks and feels warmer, and there is still a racing theme throughout. There is, of course, Dunkertons Cider of draft as well as other local ales and lagers.

We also had a bite too. The Ham, Egg and Chips is immense with an orange glazed whole ham hock on the plate. 

hollowbottom.com

It has been announced that The Hollow Bottom will officially reopen on Monday 7th October.

The popular horse racing pub in Guiting Power closed suddenly in July before being bought buy The Lucky Onion Group, owned by clothing brand Superdry's co-founder Julian Dunkerton. 

hollowbottom.com

​Check out the new menu below.

There is just one month to go until jump racing returns to Cheltenham for The Showcase meeting on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October. 

In addition to all the exciting racing to enjoy the racecourse will be hosting its first Cheltoberfest, which will take place in The Centaur both days with music from The Bierkeller Boys. 

The buzz around the course as the gates open is like no other with anticipation for the season ahead. 

For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-showcase

​Here are all the fixtures at Cheltenham Racecourse for the 2019/20 season. 

​THE SHOWCASE
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 2019

THE NOVEMBER MEETING
Friday 15th - Sunday 17th November 2019 

THE INTERNATIONAL 
Friday 13th & Saturday 14th December 2019

NEW YEAR'S DAY
Wednesday 1st January 2020 

FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY 
Saturday 25th January 2020

THE FESTIVAL™ PRESENTED BY MAGNERS
Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th March 2020
Book your tickets before 2nd December at 10:59am for the best price

THE APRIL MEETING
Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th April 2020

RACE NIGHT FEATURING HUNTER CHASE RACING 
Friday 1st May 2020

The McCoy Awards return to Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday 27th September to celebrate the outstanding contribution to jump racing at all Jockey Club Jump Racecourses during the 2018/19 season.

The awards, named after Sir AP McCoy, the record-breaking 20-time champion Jump jockey who retired from race riding in April 2015, reflect on the triumphs and the highlights of the season and appreciate all the people within the sport, from the unwavering support of owners to the often unsung dedication of stable staff. The McCoys exist to recognise the individuals without whom this sport would not prosper as it does.

Last year's winners included Harry Skelton for leading professional jockey, Nicky Henderson was leading trainer with over 40 horses, and Tiger Roll picking up the Judges Choice Award for his incredible victory in the 2018 Grand National.

Jump Racing returns to Cheltenham for The Showcase on Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 2019 and will feature the first ever Cheltoberfest, with live music from the Bierkeller Boys a racing tipster, and Real Ales and Magners Cider will be available in The Centaur. 

Keep up to date with everything at Cheltenham Racecourse on our dedicated horse racing page, The Roar.

​Watch the highlights from last year's awards below.

The Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power is the latest addition to The Lucky Onion portfolio and will reopen its doors in October 2019.

The pub has always been a huge favourite of the horse racing community and was the scene of celebrations both after Bindaree won the Grand National and when Imperial Commander landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup for nearby trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies. 

Away from racing, the pub's charming rural setting is perfect for a quiet lunch and supper, with The Lucky Onion's lovingly-cooked good food, and the finest ingredients from the around the UK, at the heart of the menus. There's an extensive beer and wine list too.

A beautiful 17th-century Cotswold stone building with excellent country views, The Hollow Bottom will feature The Lucky Onion’s signature design touches around its already existing deep recessed windows, low ceilings and exposed stone walls and timbers.

In the winter, expect a roaring wood-burning fire in the bar. In summer months, you can soak up the sunshine with drinks and food on the terrace.

The Lucky Onion took over ownership after the property closed in July 2019. 

Below is the new Hollow Bottom logo.

Cheltenham Racecourse has got a great combination for racegoers as West Country legends, The Wurzels will be taking to the stage on Friday 15 November after racing on Countryside Day, the first day of The November Meeting. 
  
The Wurzels have got a ‘brand new combine harvester and are giving you the key’ to unlock your evening’s entertainment in The Centaur with West Country legends. 
  
The extremely popular four-piece band, famed for hits such as “I am a Cider drinker” and “The Combine Harvester” will perform in The Centaur after racing for free for all Club and Tattersalls ticket holders. The West Country singers will be part of plenty of countryside-themed activities taking place throughout the day. 
  
From local Hunt Parades, to Silent Auctions, Countryside Day offers a wealth of family entertainment as well as six quality races on offer. The proceeds of this special day shall be split between the Countryside Alliance and Equestrian Team GBR Tokyo2020, to help with expenses in the run up to the Olympic Games. 

The November Meeting is Cheltenham’s largest race meeting outside of The Festival™ presented by Magners, and runs from Friday 15 – Sunday 17 November. The November Meeting Saturday hosts the feature race of the meeting, the BetVictor Gold Cup while The November Meeting Sunday is the famous Family Fun Day with plenty of entertainment, including appearances from the Minions at intervals throughout the day and the D-Day Darlings performing in The Centaur after racing.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-november-meeting/

The wait is almost over! The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse, kicks off the 2019/2020 season this October with its traditional Showcase fixture commencing procedures. The two day meeting takes place on Friday 25th October and Saturday 26th October, 2019. 
  
Each raceday will host seven races, where the UK’s top trainers and jockeys will return to Cheltenham after the six-month summer break. The action on the track is sure to be competitive as trainers target their horses to try and claim their place in the famous Cheltenham Winners’ Enclosure. 
  
In addition to all the exciting racing to enjoy the racecourse will be hosting its first Cheltoberfest, which will take place in The Centaur both days. October is the month that is synonymous with OctoberFest, a Beer-themed event which takes place around the country and the racecourse’s very own is sure to be hugely enjoyable. 
  
There will be a range of local Real Ales and Magners Cider available for purchase on the day, as well as live music from the Bierkeller Boys and a racing tipster before the action commences. Think of lots of tweed, lederhosen and bunting aplenty to fully embrace the Cotswolds / Austrian theme! 

ccess to Cheltoberfest is £15 (in addition to a Club/Tattersalls admission ticket to the racecourse) or £20 on the day. A package including access to both the racecourse and Cheltoberfest costs £40 when booked in advance.
 
Gates open at 12noon on both days, with the first race at 2pm.

For details please visit www.cheltenham.co.uk or call 0344 579 3003 to book tickets

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) have announced that a 2½ Mare's Chase will be introduced to the Cheltenham Festival from 2021. 

There are currently two mares-only hurdle races run over hurdles at The Festival, Grade 1 Mares’ Hurdle and Grade 2 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, but nothing over fences. The race will replace one of the existing 28 races. 

There is also changes taking place to the National Hunt Chase. The Grade 2 four-mile race will now be 2 furlongs shorter and have less obstacles, 23 from 25. It will remain an amateur race but will now include a minimun number of rides and winners for the jockey, and starts for the horse under rules. 

The Festival™ takes place from 10th - 13th March 2020. Watch finest horses, jockeys, owners, and trainers to battle it out for the highest racing honours, their reputations and over £4.5 million of prize money.
​

FULL CHANGES AT THE FESTIVAL

Before we know it, the National Hunt season will be upon us again. 

It all kicks off at Cheltenham with The Showcase meeting on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th October 2019. 

The exciting two-day meeting sees a host of new racing recruits join the ranks - from trainers and jockeys to future equine stars and sets the tone for what's to come, leading all the way to The Festival presented by Magners in March 2020. 

Here are all the fixtures at Cheltenham Racecourse for the 2019/20 season. 

​THE SHOWCASE
Friday 25th & Saturday 26th October 2019

THE NOVEMBER MEETING
Friday 15th - Sunday 17th November 2019 

THE INTERNATIONAL 
Friday 13th & Saturday 14th December 2019

NEW YEAR'S DAY
Wednesday 1st January 2020 

FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY 
Saturday 25th January 2020

THE FESTIVAL™ PRESENTED BY MAGNERS
Tuesday 10th - Friday 13th March 2020
Book your tickets before 2nd December at 10:59am for the best price

THE APRIL MEETING
Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th April 2020

RACE NIGHT FEATURING HUNTER CHASE RACING 
Friday 1st May 2020

For tickets and further information about each meeting, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham

The Festival™ presented by Magners is a world class event here in the Cotswolds.

Today, Cheltenham Racecourse released their new hospitality brochure for The Festival™ 2020 which takes you inside their restaurants and private boxes for a 3D tour. 

From panoramic views to unrivalled dining experiences, Cheltenham offers everything you need to celebrate a special occasion or entertain guests and clients. 

Click HERE to view the brochure

We are delighted to launch The Roar, the ultimate guide to racing at Cheltenham Racecourse.

Are you planning on heading to the Cheltenham Festival in 2020? You have until 10.59am on Friday 5th July to get the lowest prices on tickets. 

The Festival™ presented by Magners was full of emotion, stories and incredible racing in 2019 with memorable wins for Frodon, Paisley Park and Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo. 

Visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-festival for all tickets and information.

Cotswolds jockey Sam Twiston-Davies reached 1,000 career winners with a quickfire double for trainer Dr Richard Newland at Southwell this afternoon.

With notable successes on The New One, Baby Run and Hello Bud, his biggest win was at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival aboard Dodging Bullets in the ​Queen Mother Champion Chase. 

Cheltenham Racecourse have increased their 18-24 Annual Membership to 28 years old. 

This will now become Club 18-28 and offers 16 days of incredible racing at Cheltenham including The Festival™. 

The price of the membership is just £215. 

Cheltenham Membership also entitles you to a number of reciprocal fixtures at other courses based all over the country. These can be attended free of charge. 

To purchase your 18 - 28 Membership, please call 01242 537 662 or visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/membership-and-offers/annual/club-18-28-annual-membership

Cheltenham Racecourse has officially been declared the greatest racecourse in the world by the Racing Post, the UK and Ireland’s dedicated racing media outlet.

Taking in competition from racecourses across the world, the Home of Jump racing was announced in the number one position recently – something which the racecourse are of course hugely proud of. 

Racing Post editor Tom Kerr said: "When we were compiling the list for our Greatest Racecourse series we spent hours debating the merits of different tracks around the globe, considering their atmosphere, history, facilities, quality of racing and overall wow-factor.

"However while we had some mighty disagreements over the order one thing was consistent from day one: we all agreed Cheltenham was going to take the top spot. It is a legendary racecourse in an incomparably beautiful setting, is the home of utterly thrilling racing and has seen some of the most epic showdowns in sporting history. 

"Cheltenham has become a must-visit racecourse not just for racing fans, but for anyone with even a passing interest in sport."

Ian Renton, Regional Director of the south west region of The Jockey Club added, “We were delighted when it was announced that the Racing Post had nominated Cheltenham as the Greatest Racecourse in the World. With eight different countries represented in the top ten nominated racecourses, the list is truly representative of all the great racecourses around the world and we are very pleased and greatly honoured to be chosen to top this list.”

The racecourse hosts 16 racedays a year, including The Festival™, presented by Magners, which takes place in March each year and attracts over 260,000 racegoers. A survey undertaken by the University of Gloucestershire found that over those four days over £100million was spent in the Gloucestershire economy.

Yes we know the 2019 Festival only took place last week but you can secure your tickets for next year already. 

Tickets for The Festival™ presented by Magners are available from just £27 during the Magners Priority booking period until 10:59am on Friday 5th July 2019. 

The Festival™ takes place at Cheltenham racecourse from Tuesday 10th March - Friday 13th March 2020.

www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/events-tickets/the-festival

43 horses have been entered for the 2019 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup, including three previous winners; Native River, Sizing John and Coneygree. 

Blaklion and Bristol De Mai (Nigel Twiston-Davies), Minella Rocco (Jonjo O'Neill) and Double Shuffle (Tom George) all offer local interest. 

MAGNERS CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP ENTRIES

​ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS
AL BOUM PHOTO
AMERICAN
ANIBALE FLY
BALKO DES FLOS
BELLSHILL
BLACK CORTON
BLAKLION
BRISTOL DE MAI
CLAN DES OBEAUX
CONEYGREE
DEFINITLY RED
DON POLI
DOUBLE SHUFFLE
ELEGANT ESCAPE
FRODON
GIVE ME A COPPER
INVITATION ONLY
KEMBOY
KILLULTAGH VIC
MALA BEACH
MIGHT BITE
MINELLA ROCCO
MISTER WHITAKER
MONALEE
MONBEG NOTORIOUS
NATIVE RIVER
NOBLE ENDEAVOR
OUTLANDER
PRESENTING PERCY
RATHVINDEN
ROAD TO RESPECT
SHATTERED LOVE
SIZING JOHN
SNOW FALCON
TERREFORT
THE STORYTELLER
THISTLECRACK
TOTAL RECALL
TOUT EST PERMIS
VALTOR
YALA ENKI
YORKHILL

Cheltenham Racecourse welcomes back National Hunt Racing for the 2018/19 this October and what better way to celebrate than with a gin cocktail named after Gold Cup winner Native River from the wonderful Cheltenham Gin. 

Here's the recipe;

​25ml Cheltenham gin
25ml Cointreau
Top with Spiced Orange Ginger Ale
Orange Segment to Garnish
Rosemary to Garnish

cheltenham-gin.co.uk

Click HERE for all the Cheltenham Racecourse fixtures

After taking 3 years to perfect, Cheltenham Gin is a wonderful new cloudy gin inspired by Cheltenham Racecourse.

Each bottle of Cheltenham Gin contains a unique blend of botanicals, including fresh zest from Spanish oranges and limes and benefits from a double distillation process to create a gin with a very refined, smooth and elegant palate.  

​The wonderful fresh, clean start continues to deeper spices on the mid-palate, adding length and complexity. 

cheltenham-gin.co.uk 

The wait is over! The Home of Jump racing, Cheltenham Racecourse, kicks off the 2018/2019 season this October with its traditional Showcase fixture commencing procedures. The two day meeting takes place on Friday 26th October and Saturday 27th October, 2018. 

The Festival will take place between Tuesday 12th March - Friday 15th March 2019.

A full list of the 2018/2019 season fixtures can be found below; 

THE SHOWCASE       
Friday, 26 October 2018
Saturday, 27 October 2018
 
THE NOVEMBER MEETING
Friday, 16 November 2018
Saturday, 17 November 2018
Sunday, 18 November 2018
 
THE INTERNATIONAL
Friday, 14 December 2018
Saturday, 15 December 2018
 
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Tuesday, 1 January 2019
 
FESTIVAL TRIALS DAY
Saturday, 26 January 2019
 
THE FESTIVAL
Tuesday, 12 March 2019
Wednesday, 13 March 2019
Thursday, 14 March 2019
Friday, 15 March 2019
 
THE APRIL MEETING
Wednesday, 17 April 2019
​Thursday, 18 April 2019 
 
RACENIGHT, FEATURING HUNTER CHASE RACING
Friday 3 May 2019      

It was a huge Saturday for Cotswold racehorse trainers today as nine races were won across the cards at Ascot, Haydock and Huntingdon winning a total of £252,772 in prize money!

Nigel Twiston-Davies kept up his incredible form winning the valuable Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock with Bristol De Mai by a monstrous 57 lengths over his nearest rival Cue Card under Daryl Jacob. This was the yard's second winner of the day after Count Meribel won the opener at Ascot. 

Slad based Tom George also notched up a valuable double as 16/1 shot Sir Valentino won the Shawbrook Handicap Chase at Ascot after an earlier success with Clondaw Castle at Huntingdon. 

There was also a double for Clapton on the Hill based Ben Pauling at Haydock and Ascot with Delire D'Estruval and Nestor Park both enjoying close victories. 

​Fergal O'Brien, who shares the Grange Hill Gallops with Nigel Twiston-Davies, continued his good form as Chase The Spud completed a neat round of jumping on heavy ground Betfair Handicap Chase at Haydock under Paddy Brennan. 

There were further victories for Jonjo O'Neill and Kim Bailey at Huntingdon with Compadre and Silver Kayfe both edging victories under Killian Moore and Mike Hamill respectively.