Cheltenham to celebrate the life of Dame Jilly Cooper on Countryside Day at The November Meeting29/9/2026 Cheltenham Racecourse will celebrate the life and legacy of the late Dame Jilly Cooper on Countryside Day at The November Meeting on Friday 13 November, with a special tribute to one of racing’s much-loved supporters. As a lasting tribute to Jilly, a memorial bench will be unveiled on the Crescent walkway, overlooking the Parade Ring. The location will provide a fitting place for racegoers to remember Jilly and reflect on her enduring love of Cheltenham, the countryside and the sport of racing. For the duration of The November Meeting, the popular Retreat bar will also be renamed “The Rutshire Arms”, in tribute to Jilly’s work and the world she created through her much-loved novels. Jilly was a regular visitor to Cheltenham and a passionate follower of racing. She once described the racecourse and the Festival as: “so joyful, I love it. There are all the heavenly Irish, and the course is so beautiful, with that wonderful panoramic view.” Her love of horses and racing was a defining part of her writing, bringing the characters, drama and excitement of the sport to a huge audience. Her 2010 novel Jump! was set against the world of National Hunt racing and featured scenes at Cheltenham. Jilly’s extraordinary legacy continues to reach new audiences through the success of Rivals, now in its second series on Disney+. The hit adaptation has introduced her much-loved characters and distinctive storytelling to a new generation, with a star-studded cast bringing the world of Rutshire to life. Countryside Day will provide an opportunity for Cheltenham Racecourse and the wider racing community to come together to remember Jilly, celebrate her remarkable life and recognise the special connection she shared with the racecourse and the sport she loved. Her wit, warmth and passion for racing made Jilly a much-loved figure at Cheltenham, and the tribute will ensure her connection with the racecourse continues to be remembered for years to come. You can find all the information + tickets for Countryside Day and The November Meeting HERE. 
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There is a particular charge to the Cotswolds at the start of the jump-racing season. The mornings are colder, the gallops hold their first frost, and the yards are beginning to take shape for the long campaign ahead. The Cotswolds is not simply a picturesque setting for National Hunt racing, it is one of its great centres. For generations, some of the sport’s finest trainers have based their operations here, producing numerous Cheltenham Festival and Gold Cup winners. That makes the beginning of a new campaign especially compelling. The more established names are there, but so too are the less familiar horses whose potential has yet to be tested fully. Every autumn brings a new crop to keep an eye on, with horses stepping up in class, promising novices beginning their careers and those already marked out as potential Festival contenders. For the 2026/27 season, the brilliant Paul Ferguson has once again selected 10 horses from Cotswold yards to follow closely. These are his horses to watch as the season gets under way. GATINEAU PARK Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls Twice a winner from four starts as a novice hurdler, this good looking grey looks sure to improve now he goes over fences. An Irish Point-to-Point winner at the third attempt, he jumped with aplomb when winning at Ayr in March, confirming his ability to cope equally as well with softer conditions, having earlier done his winning on better ground. A six-year-old by Walk In The Park, he begins the season on a mark of 130 and is very much one to monitor closely in novice handicap chases over 2m4f and beyond. HIDDEN MOUNTAIN Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls If Gatineau Park heads the novice chase team for the Bailey & Nicholls stable, this son of Maxios looks to top their crop of novice hurdlers. Runner-up on heavy ground at Ayr, when trained by Ewan Whillans, he ran out a comfortable 11-length winner on much better ground at Huntingdon on his first start for current connections, marking himself down as a bright prospect for hurdles. His Ayr form reads well, with the winner going on to win a Grade 2 at Leopardstown, and he looks as though he will improve over 2m4f or thereabouts. KAKA’S COUSIN Jonjo & A J O’Neill Appeared in this feature last year and as expected, he was sent straight over hurdles and won twice from five starts for the O’Neill stable. Dominant at both Catterick and Kelso, he ran really well in the EBF Final at Sandown and it was possibly one start too many when only mid-division when upped in distance at Aintree. A six-year-old by Mahler, who looks to possess plenty of size and scope for fences, he is another who can climb the ranks in novice handicap company, starting from a mark of 128. LEADER CRIK Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies Very lightly raced, this five-year-old chased home Daylatedollarshort (won two handicaps last season before running well at Punchestown) in an Irish Point and having disappointed at Cheltenham in the autumn, he returned from a wind-op to win impressively at Doncaster. A non-runner at Ayr in April, he is likely to remain over hurdles for the time being, given his limited experience, but remains a bright prospect for the Twiston-Davies stable. MONDOUI’BOY Ben Pauling Despite not winning in two runs in bumpers for Harry Derham and David Maxwell, he ran well in a couple of good races, notably when sixth behind Irish Grand National winner, Soldier In Milan, and dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler, King Rasko Grey, at Punchestown. He won his first two starts over hurdles for Ben Pauling and Hine Law but marked himself down as a very smart novice with the way he travelled through the Spa (Albert Bartlett) at Cheltenham, where he cruised to the lead. Possibly over the top at Aintree, he looks to be a smart prospect for fences and given that he was 2-2 on right-handed tracks over hurdles, perhaps the Kauto Star and Reynoldstown will become viable options.  MINELLA PREMIER Jonjo & A J O’Neill A hugely impressive Irish Points winner back in May 2024, he was purchased for £400,000 by Nicky Henderson but didn’t make it to the track for the veteran Lambourn trainer. Switched to Richard Hobson, he returned from 658 days off to win a bumper at Fontwell (runner-up won next time) before readily defying a penalty at Wetherby. The son of Shantou again changed hands for big money this close season (£300,000) and is now in training at Jackdaws Castle. Despite being six, he remains a high-class prospect and given a clear run fitness wise, can develop into a smart novice hurdler for The Megsons, who enjoyed Grade 1 success last season with Sixmilebridge (another who featured here in 2025-2026). SWINDON VILLAGE Charlie Longsdon A strapping grey by Kingston Hill, he won a soft ground bumper at Ffos Las the season before last and won twice from six starts as a novice hurdler. Successful at Leicester and Newbury, a galloping track and soft ground looks to suit the six-year-old, who probably found conditions too quick at Aintree when last seen. From a mark of 132, he can readily be given another chance now he switches to fences and is another to note in the novice chase division. MOURNE CRYSTAL Ben Pauling The stable of Ben Pauling continues to grow year on year, and he has again strengthened his numbers ahead of the new campaign. Arguably the most exciting recruit from the Point-to-Point ranks is this four-year-old, who won in a canter and a quick time at Portrush. From the same academy as Champion Bumper winner, The Mourne Rambler, the Crystal Ocean gelding looks to possess plenty of pace and a high cruising speed, so could head down the bumper route in the months ahead. MIDNIGHT JUKEBOX Fergal O’Brien Having beaten Soldier Reeves (Cheltenham maiden hurdle winner who ran well at both Cheltenham and Aintree in the spring) in an Irish Point, he made a winning start for Fergal O’Brien and Noel Fehily Racing when successful in a bumper at Southwell. The five-year-old looked to idle when clear and looks to be a bright prospect for novice hurdles. From the family of Gunsight Ridge, he looks quick enough to start off over the minimum trip. TAURUS BAY Ben Pauling Another former Irish Points winner, he won twice from four starts over hurdles last term, looking a bright prospect when beating subsequent Morebattle Hurdle winner, Captain Hugo, at Aintree. After running well in defeat in the Classic Novices’ Hurdle on Trials Day, he took his chance in the Baring Bingham and possibly found the Festival experience a little much at that stage of his career. Whilst he could be another for novice chasing, Ben Pauling looks to have plenty of ammunition for that division so might opt to keep the son of Poet’s Word over hurdles for another season and from a mark of 135, he looks to have the ability to land a valuable handicap over an intermediate trip. If you are a horse racing fan, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow is your essential guide to the Jumps season. Order Jumpers To Follow 2026-2027 HERE. There are racecourses, and then there is Cheltenham. For the jumps fraternity, two-legged and four-legged, this is where reputations are made and, every so often, where they are dented. With eight meetings and 16 days and plenty of top-class jumping to savour, there will inevitably be a few surprises along the way. And, as ever at Cheltenham, the season is unlikely to pass quietly. It begins, as it always does, with The William Hill Showcase on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 October. There is something of a first-day feel about the meeting. Expectation and anticipation in the paddock are matched by the crowd and, whether we like it or not, the road to the Festival, however distant it may seem, is already under way. Saturday evening brings a rather different sort of excitement, with FABBAGIRLS following the racing with the songs, costumes and exuberance of the world's leading ABBA tribute act. Then comes The November Meeting, from 13 to 15 November, and this is the one where Cheltenham finds its full voice. Three days that have been named 'Racing’s ultimate weekender' and it's easy to see why. Countryside Day gets things underway, celebrating the rural life and tradition that surrounds us, before Super Saturday takes centre stage with the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Carnival Sunday brings the weekend to a close with six races, Shetland pony racing and the always entertaining mascot race. There is music after racing on the first two days, with MASSAOKE, a giant live-band sing-along party, taking place on Saturday. It is difficult to think of a better way to spend a November weekend. By December, the National Hunt season is in full swing. The Christmas Meeting on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 December provides the perfect excuse to step away from the Christmas shopping and concentrate on something, ultimately, rather more important, unless, of course, you happen to be looking for the perfect gift in equine form at the Tattersalls Cheltenham Sales after racing on the Friday. The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase is a Christmas Meeting favourite on Day One, while Sarurday offers some Grade 2 action and two highly competitive Cheltenham Festival trials, including the JCB Triumph Hurdle trial and the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle trial. New Year's Day is rather more straightforward. However late the previous night went, Cheltenham is an excellent place to start 2027. Seven competitive races, including Graded and Listed contests, offer fresh Festival clues while the winter air does its work on the cobwebs. There is lots amazing free family entertainment to enjoy too. By the time Festival Trials Day arrives on Saturday 30 January, there is very little room left for hiding. This is the final opportunity to see the leading protagonists in action at Cheltenham before March. Some will confirm what we thought we knew, others will complicate matters, and there are always a few that are suddenly being mentioned in conversations that matter. Simply put, that is the charm of Trials Day. It offers answers, but never all of them. And then, finally, The Cheltenham Festival, from Tuesday 16 to Friday 19 March. It is an event that needs little introduction. Four extraordinary days, each with its own character, yet with an entire season contained within them. From the famous roar that gets things underway on Champion Day to the rather more stylish proceedings of Style Wednesday, each day offers something a little different, but the atmosphere rarely lets up. St Patrick’s Thursday brings its customary Emerald Isle exuberance, before Gold Cup Day brings the four days to a close. The Festival is why the horses have been coming to Cheltenham since October. It is why training plans have been altered, expectations raised and lowered, and why, when the Gold Cup is finally run at 4pm on Friday afternoon, there is always a sense that something rather larger than a horse race has just taken place. Yet Cheltenham does not simply close its doors after the Gold Cup. On Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 April, The April Meeting arrives with a different light over the course. Spring has replaced winter, with Cleeve Hill providing the familiar backdrop yet the mood noticeably lighter. The racing remains good and the pressure lifted, and this is time to enjoy racing for what it is rather than what it might become once again. And finally, on Friday 30 April, comes Race Night, the season finale and Cheltenham’s only evening fixture. Seven fiercely contested hunter chases give amateur riders and trainers their chance to chase the dream of winning at the Home of Jump Racing. As the light fades over Prestbury Park, another season comes to an end. Then the course falls quiet for a while. The horses and crowds go home, the fences come down and summer takes its turn. For a short time, "next March" can feel a long way away. But it never stays that way for long. Cheltenham's season may run from October to April, but we all know it never really ends. And by the time the next Showcase comes back around, we will all be ready to do it again. For all tickets + info, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/    Cheltenham Racecourse launches new 'Favourite' Membership ahead of the National Hunt season14/7/2026 There is something wonderfully optimistic about this time of year. The summer still has a quite a lot of warmth left in it according to the forecasts, yet the mind has already wandered to crisp October mornings and the first sight of horses cantering to post in the shadows of Cleeve Hill and that unmistakable sense that another National Hunt season is stirring into life. The Showcase Meeting has always been the curtain-raiser, the first chapter of a story that stretches through winter, reaching its crescendo in March and leaving us counting the days until the next year's Festival to begin again. For those who want to be there every step of the way, Cheltenham Racecourse has unveiled a new way of belonging with the launch of its Favourite Membership. Designed for racegoers who measure the passing of the winter months not by calendars but by fixtures at Prestbury Park, the new membership offers admission to every one of Cheltenham's 16 racedays, placing members at the heart of the action from the opening roar of The Showcase to the final flagfall of the spring. It is a package that balances tradition with thoughtful modern touches. Every member receives a classic metal badge and membership card, the sort of keepsake that still carries a quiet sense of pride , alongside access to the Members Marquee and the ever-popular Istabraq Bar, giving familiar places to gather between races and debate fortunes won and lost over a Guinnes or two. The benefits continue away from the track too. Members receive reciprocal racedays at racecourses across the country, free admission to the ever-popular Official Festival Preview, digital editions of the Season Ahead and Festival Preview magazines, discounts in the racecourse gift shop, reduced prices on selected admission tickets for friends and family, complimentary parking at most fixtures and savings on Festival and November Saturday parking. Outside the Festival and November Saturday, Favourite Members can also enjoy exclusive access to the Central Grandstand seating, offering one of the finest vantage points from which to watch the action unfold. There is also a calendar of exclusive events included and created to bring members together throughout the year, from a Royal Ascot Parade Ring Picnic beneath the big screen, to a Christmas Racing Film Night celebrating some of the sport's most cherished stories, an invitation to the Official Festival Preview, and a supporters' day trip to Aintree's outstanding Thursday card during Grand National week. This new membership provides incredible value for money, securing you access in the heart of the action within the Club Enclosure. And as the countdown to The Showcase gathers pace and another National Hunt campaign edges ever closer, the membership feels aptly named. For those whose favourite place is beside the running rail, whose favourite sound is the Cheltenham Roar before the tapes go up in March and whose favourite season is almost upon us, it could prove to be exactly that. Enjoy access to all 16 racedays and save OVER 50% compared to booking individually. Adult: £379 Concession: £245 www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/membership-and-offers/annual/the-favourite-membership   Photograph: James Bridle We are incredibly fortunate in the Cotswolds to have so many brilliant events right on our doorstep as summer arrives in full. From food festivals and flower shows to classic car gatherings, country fairs, circuses, and open-air cinema beneath the stars, the season offers endless excuses to step outside, gather with friends, and make the most of the long days and warm evenings. Here are 25 events to help you make the most of the Cotswolds outdoors this summer. JuneCHELTENHAM SCIENCE FESTIVAL 2 - 7 JUNE • VARIOUS LOCATIONS In 2025, the Science Festival uncovered mind-blowing facts, from quantum tunnelling and the secrets of squid ink to the surprising truth that fish have legs and even what it takes to become a champion cheese chaser. We were joined by the likes of Brian Cox, Greg Foot, Maya Raichoora, Helen Czerski, Maddie Moate, Daze Aghaji, Robin Ince and more. 2026 is sure to be even bigger and better! TICKETS + INFO THE CHURCHILL CAR SHOW 14 JUNE • CHURCHILL VILLAGE GREEN A delightfully Cotswold affair, the Churchill Car Show returns to the village green of Churchill for a much-loved summer gathering of motoring charm and community spirit. From classic icons to modern supercars and one-off curiosities, the green becomes a living gallery of automotive design, set against the backdrop of an unhurried village day. Alongside the displays, expect a relaxed atmosphere of food, drink, family entertainment and local fundraising in support of local charities. TICKETS & INFO THE BLENHEIM PALACE FLOWER SHOW 19–21 JUNE • BLENHEIM PALACE, OXFORDSHIRE A most elegant herald of the summer season, the Blenheim Palace Flower Show returns to the sweeping grounds of Britain’s grandest palace, where horticulture and heritage meet in suitably magnificent style. Across three days, the parkland is transformed into a world of colour and creativity, from the grandeur of the Floral Pavilion to the artistry of show gardens, specialist growers, and immersive displays that celebrate the very best of British gardening. TICKETS & INFO THE CHELTENHAM FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL 19–21 JUNE • MONTPELLIER GARDENS, CHELTENHAM The Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival returns to the elegant surrounds of Montpellier Gardens, where the town’s Georgian grace provides a fitting backdrop for three days devoted to flavour, craft, and indulgence. Across the weekend, acclaimed chefs and local producers gather to present live cookery demonstrations, wine and spirit tastings, and a rich programme of talks and masterclasses, all set within a lively open-air market of artisan food and drink. From the aromas of street food drifting through the trees to the hum of the Festival Stage and the relaxed pleasure of sampling something new in good company, it is a celebration of the region’s culinary talent in its most generous form. TICKETS & INFO FOREST LIVE 24 - 28 JUNE • WESTONBIRT ARBORETUM Among the towering bark-clad giants of Westonbirt Arboretum, the beloved Forest Live series once again promises nights that feel half concert, half woodland enchantment. Richard Ashcroft will bring a voice shaped for open skies; Fatboy Slim will transform the forest floor into a glowing celebration; UB40 will drape the evening in reggae warmth; and Deacon Blue will add their blend of melody and melancholy. To hear such iconic artists beneath Westonbirt’s ancient canopy is not merely to attend a gig, it is to step into a shared moment suspended between leaves and stars. TICKETS + INFO BLENHEIM PALACE FESTIVAL 27 JUNE - 4 JULY • BLENHEIM PALACE A new jewel joins the summer crown with the inaugural Blenheim Palace Festival, and it arrives with regal ambition. Neil Young, a master of songcraft whose music feels carved from wind and time, will stand before the palace’s grand façade. Alongside him, pop luminary Katy Perry brings technicolour spectacle, Pete Tong with his sun-soaked rhythms of Ibiza Classics, while Teddy Swims adds the velvet depth of a voice that seems to wrap itself around you. Global icon Alanis Morissette is the latest to be announced and will be joined by special guests Skunk Anansie for a summer evening destined to linger in the warm night air long after the final chord fades. Blenheim has long been a place for history; in 2026, it becomes a place for harmony too. TICKETS + INFO CHARLBURY BEER FESTIVAL 27 JUNE • CHARLBURY CRICKET CLUB The Charlbury Beer Festival returns on Saturday 27th June 2026, transforming the grounds of Charlbury Cricket Club into a cheerful celebration of great drink, good music, and local tradition. Expect 60 cask ales, 20+ craft beers, plus ciders, perries, wine, gin and Pimm’s, alongside excellent food (including veggie and vegan options). Run entirely by volunteers, the festival proudly raises funds for local and overseas causes, with live entertainment and the ever-popular World Aunt Sally Singles Championship adding a wonderfully English flourish to the day. TICKETS + INFO TOM JONES 28 JUNE • KINGHOLM STADIUM A voice that has long since become part of the British summer fabric returns to Gloucester as Sir Tom Jones takes to Kingsholm Stadium for a headline evening of unmistakable charm and enduring showmanship. As part of the Kingsholm Summer Series, the Welsh icon brings a catalogue spanning more than six decades — from early rhythm and blues to the unmistakable hits that have defined generations. TICKETS & INFO
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The view from the Mandarin Restaurant
On Sunday 9 November 2025, Kingsholm will ready itself for something far greater than rugby.
The 745 Game is a match that carries more weight than any result could measure. A fixture born from friendship, courage and hope will bring together legends of Rugby Union and Rugby League for a single cause that transcends sport. To call it a match would be to miss its heart. Two codes united under one purpose.
And at its core stand three numbers: 7, 4, and 5.
Three jerseys.
Three men.
Three lives touched by the same devastating diagnosis.
Rob Burrow, Ed Slater and Doddie Weir
It was a dream first shared by Burrow and Slater, who wanted to see their beloved sports come together in a hybrid contest that could raise awareness and funds for the fight against MND. Before Rob passed away in June 2024, aged just 41, the idea had already begun to take shape. His friend Ed, himself living with the disease, vowed that the dream would not fade and last November we saw the inaugural game take place at Headingley Rugby Stadium.
Yet this year’s game carries even deeper poignancy. Only recently, the rugby world learned that England legend Lewis Moody has also been diagnosed with MND. Another reminder, as if one were needed, of how cruel and indiscriminate the disease can be. But within that sorrow, the rugby community has responded with determination and unity, standing together to support those affected and to honour these men who have inspired so many.
The 745 Game will be unlike anything the rugby world has seen. A 13-a-side hybrid where the lines between Union and League blur beautifully; six forwards, seven backs, uncontested scrums, five-man lineouts, and a unique blend of tactics that call on the strengths of both codes. There will be five points for a try, two for a penalty, conversion and drop goal, and the rhythm of the match will change as teams cross halfway with unlimited tackles in their own half and just six once they attack.
Some of the players set to take part include some of the most recognisable names in rugby: Mike Tindall, Ben and Tom Youngs, Billy Twelvetrees, Chris Hill, Joe Marler, Michael Lawrence, Jim Hamilton, Keith Senior, Richard Hibbard, and Jermaine McGillvary.
All proceeds from the 745 Game will be shared equally among three outstanding charities:
Together, these charities provide vital support and practical assistance while raising awareness of the challenges presented by MND.
Rob Burrow's hope for the future was to live in a world where Motor Neurone Disease no longer exists, and each pass, tackle, and cheer from the stands is a reminder that even in the face of life’s toughest challenges, it is one that can be fought together.
This is rugby stripped to its essence: camaraderie, respect, fight and courage.
The 745 Game
Sunday 9 November 2025 • Kick-off 17:40
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Live on TNT Sports 1 & discovery+
BUY TICKETS HERE
The 745 Game is a match that carries more weight than any result could measure. A fixture born from friendship, courage and hope will bring together legends of Rugby Union and Rugby League for a single cause that transcends sport. To call it a match would be to miss its heart. Two codes united under one purpose.
And at its core stand three numbers: 7, 4, and 5.
Three jerseys.
Three men.
Three lives touched by the same devastating diagnosis.
Rob Burrow, Ed Slater and Doddie Weir
It was a dream first shared by Burrow and Slater, who wanted to see their beloved sports come together in a hybrid contest that could raise awareness and funds for the fight against MND. Before Rob passed away in June 2024, aged just 41, the idea had already begun to take shape. His friend Ed, himself living with the disease, vowed that the dream would not fade and last November we saw the inaugural game take place at Headingley Rugby Stadium.
Yet this year’s game carries even deeper poignancy. Only recently, the rugby world learned that England legend Lewis Moody has also been diagnosed with MND. Another reminder, as if one were needed, of how cruel and indiscriminate the disease can be. But within that sorrow, the rugby community has responded with determination and unity, standing together to support those affected and to honour these men who have inspired so many.
The 745 Game will be unlike anything the rugby world has seen. A 13-a-side hybrid where the lines between Union and League blur beautifully; six forwards, seven backs, uncontested scrums, five-man lineouts, and a unique blend of tactics that call on the strengths of both codes. There will be five points for a try, two for a penalty, conversion and drop goal, and the rhythm of the match will change as teams cross halfway with unlimited tackles in their own half and just six once they attack.
Some of the players set to take part include some of the most recognisable names in rugby: Mike Tindall, Ben and Tom Youngs, Billy Twelvetrees, Chris Hill, Joe Marler, Michael Lawrence, Jim Hamilton, Keith Senior, Richard Hibbard, and Jermaine McGillvary.
All proceeds from the 745 Game will be shared equally among three outstanding charities:
- The Rob Burrow Discretionary Trust: Founded by Burrow and his family, it provides practical and emotional support to those living with MND, from essential equipment to care and family experiences.
- The 4Ed Foundation: Created by Ed Slater, it provides grants to families living with MND, helping with home adaptations, medical equipment, holidays, and other forms of support.
- My Name’5 Doddie Foundation: Established by Doddie Weir, this foundation funds research, offers care grants, and ensures that no one affected by MND faces the disease alone.
Together, these charities provide vital support and practical assistance while raising awareness of the challenges presented by MND.
Rob Burrow's hope for the future was to live in a world where Motor Neurone Disease no longer exists, and each pass, tackle, and cheer from the stands is a reminder that even in the face of life’s toughest challenges, it is one that can be fought together.
This is rugby stripped to its essence: camaraderie, respect, fight and courage.
The 745 Game
Sunday 9 November 2025 • Kick-off 17:40
Kingsholm Stadium, Gloucester
Live on TNT Sports 1 & discovery+
BUY TICKETS HERE
There’s a certain sort of man who seems carved from Pennant Sandstone itself; tough. reliable and, perhaps just a touch stubborn. Lewis Ludlow fits that mould perfectly.
Gloucester Rugby’s longest-serving captain of the professional era, for more than a decade, he has been the heartbeat of Kingsholm: a player built on grit, graft, and a deep pride in the cherry and white. From leading his club through highs and heartbreaks to becoming only the fifth man in history to captain England on his Test debut, Ludlow has always led with honesty, humility, and an unrelenting work rate.
These days, though, his competitive streak has found a new arena. When he’s not charging into rucks, Ludlow can be found tinkering with old Land Rovers, preferably those with more character than comfort, or leading on his young daughter around the pony ring, where it turns out his appetite for silverware remains entirely undiminished.
From Twickenham to tailgates, from The Shed to the stable yard, it’s clear that leadership, loyalty and a little friendly competition run deep in the Ludlow household.
Gloucester Rugby’s longest-serving captain of the professional era, for more than a decade, he has been the heartbeat of Kingsholm: a player built on grit, graft, and a deep pride in the cherry and white. From leading his club through highs and heartbreaks to becoming only the fifth man in history to captain England on his Test debut, Ludlow has always led with honesty, humility, and an unrelenting work rate.
These days, though, his competitive streak has found a new arena. When he’s not charging into rucks, Ludlow can be found tinkering with old Land Rovers, preferably those with more character than comfort, or leading on his young daughter around the pony ring, where it turns out his appetite for silverware remains entirely undiminished.
From Twickenham to tailgates, from The Shed to the stable yard, it’s clear that leadership, loyalty and a little friendly competition run deep in the Ludlow household.
"My toughest moment by far was having to tell the team that my good mate Ed Slater had been diagnosed with MND"
How has it felt running out at Kingsholm without the captain’s armband? Does it feel different?
Running out at Kingsholm is always the most incredible feeling ever, whether you are captain or not. It’s daunting because of the pressure, but you also know that if you give everything you’ve got, you’ve got a whole city backing you which is unlike anywhere else!
You’ve been with Gloucester for over a decade now, does Kingsholm still give you the same buzz as it did when you first ran out there?
It’s my 13th year this year, and it gets better every season. I’m very close to 250 games, but that feeling of warming up and running past The Shed is something that just keeps getting better!
Captaining Gloucester is a big responsibility, did you see yourself as a natural leader, or is it something you had to consciously grow into?
I’ve always captained teams. I like the responsibility of leading and the pressure that comes with it. I’m not afraid to take the flak if things go wrong either. However, being a full-time captain definitely took some growing into. When I went to England, it was different again, captaining a team where you’re trying to bring together the best of the best from 12 different teams.
What was the hardest lesson leadership taught you that people wouldn’t expect?
The hardest lesson was that a lot of the time it might not be your fault, but you're the one in the firing line and that is both really hard and a privilege at the same time. It also taught me that sometimes you have to have brutal conversations with good mates to get the best out of them!
What was your approach in bringing together different personalities in the squad and make them pull in the same direction?
At first, I tried treating everyone the same, but I quickly realised that doesn’t work. You have to get to know individuals and find our what makes them tick and what motivates them. I always tried to be as approachable and helpful as possible to make sure everyone was happy. A happy player is a good, committed player.
What’s one lesson about leadership you wish you’d known five years ago?
Five years ago, I wish I’d known it’s okay to lean on others around you. And, that sometimes, less is more!
How do you personally handle the weight of expectation, not just from fans, but from yourself?
The expectations I put on myself are always the biggest. I deal with that by making sure I do everything in my power to leave no detail or stone unturned, so that come game day I can lead by example.
What was your toughest and proudest moment as captain?
My toughest by far was having to tell the team that my good mate Ed Slater had been diagnosed with MND. On the field, it was when we lost nine games in a row. Everything felt like it was against us. Proudest was either lifting the Prem Cup trophy at Kingsholm, something I always wanted to do, or, getting to have my kids on the pitch with me when we were applauding the crowd. Both are very special.
Running out at Kingsholm is always the most incredible feeling ever, whether you are captain or not. It’s daunting because of the pressure, but you also know that if you give everything you’ve got, you’ve got a whole city backing you which is unlike anywhere else!
You’ve been with Gloucester for over a decade now, does Kingsholm still give you the same buzz as it did when you first ran out there?
It’s my 13th year this year, and it gets better every season. I’m very close to 250 games, but that feeling of warming up and running past The Shed is something that just keeps getting better!
Captaining Gloucester is a big responsibility, did you see yourself as a natural leader, or is it something you had to consciously grow into?
I’ve always captained teams. I like the responsibility of leading and the pressure that comes with it. I’m not afraid to take the flak if things go wrong either. However, being a full-time captain definitely took some growing into. When I went to England, it was different again, captaining a team where you’re trying to bring together the best of the best from 12 different teams.
What was the hardest lesson leadership taught you that people wouldn’t expect?
The hardest lesson was that a lot of the time it might not be your fault, but you're the one in the firing line and that is both really hard and a privilege at the same time. It also taught me that sometimes you have to have brutal conversations with good mates to get the best out of them!
What was your approach in bringing together different personalities in the squad and make them pull in the same direction?
At first, I tried treating everyone the same, but I quickly realised that doesn’t work. You have to get to know individuals and find our what makes them tick and what motivates them. I always tried to be as approachable and helpful as possible to make sure everyone was happy. A happy player is a good, committed player.
What’s one lesson about leadership you wish you’d known five years ago?
Five years ago, I wish I’d known it’s okay to lean on others around you. And, that sometimes, less is more!
How do you personally handle the weight of expectation, not just from fans, but from yourself?
The expectations I put on myself are always the biggest. I deal with that by making sure I do everything in my power to leave no detail or stone unturned, so that come game day I can lead by example.
What was your toughest and proudest moment as captain?
My toughest by far was having to tell the team that my good mate Ed Slater had been diagnosed with MND. On the field, it was when we lost nine games in a row. Everything felt like it was against us. Proudest was either lifting the Prem Cup trophy at Kingsholm, something I always wanted to do, or, getting to have my kids on the pitch with me when we were applauding the crowd. Both are very special.
"Don’t be a lunatic all the time. "Captain Head Loss” was my old nickname!"
When your teammates talk about you years from now, what do you hope they’ll say about how you led them?
I hope my teammates will say I led them with uncompromising energy, always from the front, and that I’d put my body on the line for any of them and for the team.
Who were the players or coaching staff you leaned on as a captain?
I learned to lean on a lot of people, but the key ones would have to be Ed Slater, Billy Twelvetrees, Chris Harris, Tomos Williams, Trevor Woodman, Dom Waldouck, and of course the boss - Skivs.
What advice have you given (or would you give) Tomos about the captaincy?
Do it your own way and just be yourself. That’s why you’re as good as you are!
If you could distil your approach to leadership into a single sentence, what would it be?
Don’t ask anything of others that you wouldn’t do yourself.
If your time as Gloucester captain was a playlist, what three songs would be on it and why?
Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne, purely for the fact that it was a crazy ride from start to finish. There was never a dull week!
All of the Lights by Kanye West. This was our walk-out song, and every time I hear it I get shivers down my spine.
Remember the Name by Fort Minor. I like the lyrics; they mean something, and hopefully people remember my time as captain!
If you could give your teenage self advice about leadership, what would it be?
Don’t be a lunatic all the time. “Captain Head Loss” was my old nickname! Sometimes sitting back and reflecting first gets a much better outcome.
How do you balance the intensity of professional rugby with family, friendships, and normal life?
A lot better now I’m not captain, haha! I try to switch off as much as I can. My kids help a lot with that. When I’m with them, I try my best not to do work stuff and to put them first. I think I’ve got a lot better at that. Friendship-wise, I’m lucky that a couple of my best mates are farmers who haven’t got a clue about rugby, so when we meet up, there’s no rugby chat whatsoever, which is nice sometimes!
We see you’re now a “Pony Dad”. Is family the best distraction and a good way of putting the sport into perspective?
I’m very much a horse dad which I love, although I’ve become hugely competitive with it! We’re hoping to get my daughter a HOYS-quality Dartmoor for lead rein next year, and I want to win everything! Family puts everything into perspective. Watching my daughter ride gives me as much pride as anything I’ve done on the pitch
You have a love for old Land Rovers. What drew you to this hobby, and how did it start?
My dad and grandad are both mechanics, and I’ve always loved Land Rovers. I was brought up in them! They’re easy to fix and can go anywhere. I’m obsessed, yeah.
Do you have a favourite Land Rover model or story from your restoration projects?
My favourite would be the Series 1. The simplicity of it and the fact it’s stood the test of time. I was lucky enough to own one that was the only 80” recovery model of its type, but I sadly had to sell it to fund our house build. One day I’ll get it back! I’m also a big fan of Discovery 1s and 2s. I’ve had loads!
What do the next five years look like in rugby? What do you hope to achieve?
If I’m still playing in five years, I’ll be very happy. I want to have had a testimonial at Gloucester, beat the all-time appearance record, and reach 300 caps. Then I could retire feeling like I’d achieved something. Along the way, a few more trophies at Kingsholm would be awesome too!
And finally! If you could leave a legacy beyond rugby, what would you want it to be?
If I could leave a legacy beyond rugby, it would be that I was a good bloke who helped anyone out and always cared about others before myself. If people had that perception of me, I’d be very happy.
Follow Lewis and Gloucester Rugby this season here - www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk
I hope my teammates will say I led them with uncompromising energy, always from the front, and that I’d put my body on the line for any of them and for the team.
Who were the players or coaching staff you leaned on as a captain?
I learned to lean on a lot of people, but the key ones would have to be Ed Slater, Billy Twelvetrees, Chris Harris, Tomos Williams, Trevor Woodman, Dom Waldouck, and of course the boss - Skivs.
What advice have you given (or would you give) Tomos about the captaincy?
Do it your own way and just be yourself. That’s why you’re as good as you are!
If you could distil your approach to leadership into a single sentence, what would it be?
Don’t ask anything of others that you wouldn’t do yourself.
If your time as Gloucester captain was a playlist, what three songs would be on it and why?
Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne, purely for the fact that it was a crazy ride from start to finish. There was never a dull week!
All of the Lights by Kanye West. This was our walk-out song, and every time I hear it I get shivers down my spine.
Remember the Name by Fort Minor. I like the lyrics; they mean something, and hopefully people remember my time as captain!
If you could give your teenage self advice about leadership, what would it be?
Don’t be a lunatic all the time. “Captain Head Loss” was my old nickname! Sometimes sitting back and reflecting first gets a much better outcome.
How do you balance the intensity of professional rugby with family, friendships, and normal life?
A lot better now I’m not captain, haha! I try to switch off as much as I can. My kids help a lot with that. When I’m with them, I try my best not to do work stuff and to put them first. I think I’ve got a lot better at that. Friendship-wise, I’m lucky that a couple of my best mates are farmers who haven’t got a clue about rugby, so when we meet up, there’s no rugby chat whatsoever, which is nice sometimes!
We see you’re now a “Pony Dad”. Is family the best distraction and a good way of putting the sport into perspective?
I’m very much a horse dad which I love, although I’ve become hugely competitive with it! We’re hoping to get my daughter a HOYS-quality Dartmoor for lead rein next year, and I want to win everything! Family puts everything into perspective. Watching my daughter ride gives me as much pride as anything I’ve done on the pitch
You have a love for old Land Rovers. What drew you to this hobby, and how did it start?
My dad and grandad are both mechanics, and I’ve always loved Land Rovers. I was brought up in them! They’re easy to fix and can go anywhere. I’m obsessed, yeah.
Do you have a favourite Land Rover model or story from your restoration projects?
My favourite would be the Series 1. The simplicity of it and the fact it’s stood the test of time. I was lucky enough to own one that was the only 80” recovery model of its type, but I sadly had to sell it to fund our house build. One day I’ll get it back! I’m also a big fan of Discovery 1s and 2s. I’ve had loads!
What do the next five years look like in rugby? What do you hope to achieve?
If I’m still playing in five years, I’ll be very happy. I want to have had a testimonial at Gloucester, beat the all-time appearance record, and reach 300 caps. Then I could retire feeling like I’d achieved something. Along the way, a few more trophies at Kingsholm would be awesome too!
And finally! If you could leave a legacy beyond rugby, what would you want it to be?
If I could leave a legacy beyond rugby, it would be that I was a good bloke who helped anyone out and always cared about others before myself. If people had that perception of me, I’d be very happy.
Follow Lewis and Gloucester Rugby this season here - www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk
There are few places in English rugby that stir the senses quite like Kingsholm. The walk through Gloucester’s streets, the sea of Cherry & White scarves, the unmistakable chorus of the Shed. It is a matchday steeped in ritual. Yet, as the game evolves, so too does the way supporters choose to experience it. For those looking for something a little more polished than the traditional pint on the terrace, The Blindside has arrived to redefine hospitality at Kingsholm.
Tucked away at the very top of the Malvern Tyres Stand, The Blindside is the newest members-only lounge at Gloucester Rugby. It is exclusive without being intimidating, smart without being stuffy, and above all, it feels like a place designed for people who love rugby but also enjoy the finer things in life.
Food plays a central role in setting the tone. Instead of stiff formal dining, The Blindside offers a relaxed spread of tapas-style dishes, created by the club’s in-house chefs using ingredients sourced locally within 40 miles of the stadium. It is food that reflects the Cotswolds’ larder; fresh, seasonal and brimming with flavour, but served in a way that suits the rhythm of matchday. Members can pick at plates before heading out to their seats and return after full-time to graze again while reliving the game’s highlights. It’s casual, sociable and celebratory, a dining style that mirrors the spirit of rugby itself.
Then there is the bar. At the heart of the lounge lies one of its most talked-about features: a self-pour station. The idea is simple but brilliant. Rather than queueing, members can pour their own pint of beer, cider or glass of wine, giving the experience a sense of fun and freedom. It’s hard not to enjoy the novelty of pulling your own pint as you debate the referee’s decisions or toast a last-minute try. For those who prefer something more traditional, the private bar is well stocked, with everything from local ales to Champagne. It is, in short, a bar that keeps pace with the occasion.
The Blindside itself is a space designed to be lived in. Contemporary interiors and comfortable seating create a relaxed, stylish environment that feels more like a Cotswolds private club than a stadium lounge. Pre-match, it is a calm retreat away from the bustle of the terraces; post-match, it transforms into a hub of energy and celebration. Hosted by legendary former Cherry & White James Forrester, the lounge carries with it an unmistakable link to the club’s proud heritage, ensuring members feel connected not just to the game unfolding on the pitch, but to the wider story of Gloucester Rugby.
What makes membership truly appealing is that it extends far beyond the lounge doors. Premium seating in the Malvern Tyres Stand offers superb views of the action, while additional benefits such as access to the Gloucester Rugby Business Club, priority entry into the England Rugby ticket ballot and the option to hire the lounge privately at discounted rates add real depth. It’s not simply a matchday treat but an ongoing connection to both the club and its community.
Perhaps the greatest triumph of The Blindside is the way it balances tradition with innovation. Rugby has always been about camaraderie, about standing shoulder to shoulder with friends and strangers alike, united by the game. That essence is very much alive here. Yet, by adding stylish interiors, inventive dining and playful touches like the self-pour bar, The Blindside offers something new: a hospitality experience that feels fresh, modern and entirely at home in the Cotswolds.
For those who live and breathe the Cherry & White, The Blindside is more than just a lounge. It’s a place to savour the build-up, to relax in comfort, and to celebrate victories in style. It is rugby reimagined for today and a reminder that the best moments on matchday happen not just on the pitch, but in the spaces where supporters come together to share them.
Take a look - www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/hospitality/blindside-membership
Tucked away at the very top of the Malvern Tyres Stand, The Blindside is the newest members-only lounge at Gloucester Rugby. It is exclusive without being intimidating, smart without being stuffy, and above all, it feels like a place designed for people who love rugby but also enjoy the finer things in life.
Food plays a central role in setting the tone. Instead of stiff formal dining, The Blindside offers a relaxed spread of tapas-style dishes, created by the club’s in-house chefs using ingredients sourced locally within 40 miles of the stadium. It is food that reflects the Cotswolds’ larder; fresh, seasonal and brimming with flavour, but served in a way that suits the rhythm of matchday. Members can pick at plates before heading out to their seats and return after full-time to graze again while reliving the game’s highlights. It’s casual, sociable and celebratory, a dining style that mirrors the spirit of rugby itself.
Then there is the bar. At the heart of the lounge lies one of its most talked-about features: a self-pour station. The idea is simple but brilliant. Rather than queueing, members can pour their own pint of beer, cider or glass of wine, giving the experience a sense of fun and freedom. It’s hard not to enjoy the novelty of pulling your own pint as you debate the referee’s decisions or toast a last-minute try. For those who prefer something more traditional, the private bar is well stocked, with everything from local ales to Champagne. It is, in short, a bar that keeps pace with the occasion.
The Blindside itself is a space designed to be lived in. Contemporary interiors and comfortable seating create a relaxed, stylish environment that feels more like a Cotswolds private club than a stadium lounge. Pre-match, it is a calm retreat away from the bustle of the terraces; post-match, it transforms into a hub of energy and celebration. Hosted by legendary former Cherry & White James Forrester, the lounge carries with it an unmistakable link to the club’s proud heritage, ensuring members feel connected not just to the game unfolding on the pitch, but to the wider story of Gloucester Rugby.
What makes membership truly appealing is that it extends far beyond the lounge doors. Premium seating in the Malvern Tyres Stand offers superb views of the action, while additional benefits such as access to the Gloucester Rugby Business Club, priority entry into the England Rugby ticket ballot and the option to hire the lounge privately at discounted rates add real depth. It’s not simply a matchday treat but an ongoing connection to both the club and its community.
Perhaps the greatest triumph of The Blindside is the way it balances tradition with innovation. Rugby has always been about camaraderie, about standing shoulder to shoulder with friends and strangers alike, united by the game. That essence is very much alive here. Yet, by adding stylish interiors, inventive dining and playful touches like the self-pour bar, The Blindside offers something new: a hospitality experience that feels fresh, modern and entirely at home in the Cotswolds.
For those who live and breathe the Cherry & White, The Blindside is more than just a lounge. It’s a place to savour the build-up, to relax in comfort, and to celebrate victories in style. It is rugby reimagined for today and a reminder that the best moments on matchday happen not just on the pitch, but in the spaces where supporters come together to share them.
Take a look - www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/hospitality/blindside-membership
There are few spectacles in sport that can match Cheltenham in March. The Cheltenham Roar, the finest jump horses on earth, and enough tweed to upholster the Cotswolds twice over. Yet even the Home of Jump Racing knows that greatness isn’t achieved by standing still.
For 2025/26, Cheltenham Racecourse is sharpening its act once more, with a series of enhancements designed to ensure The Festival remains as memorable as it is magnificent.
“This is about evolution, not revolution,” says Chief Executive Guy Lavender, who has wasted no time in stamping his vision on Prestbury Park. “Our goal is simple: world-class racing at a world-class venue.”
Breathing Room, Not Bustling Crowds
This year’s Festival will welcome fewer racegoers each day – a deliberate reduction from 68,500 to 66,000. It may not sound dramatic, but anyone who has ever tried to elbow their way through a soggy bottleneck in Tattersalls will appreciate the difference. Space, after all, is a luxury.
Pints and Prosecco
In news guaranteed to bring a cheer almost as loud as the roar itself, the price of Guinness is going down. Yes, back to £7.50 a pint – a rare case of racing history repeating itself in the punter’s favour. Spirits follow suit with reductions of their own, and Prosecco joins the line-up for the first time for those looking to toast their winners in sparkling style.
Removal of Drinks Restrictions
After a successful trial run last season, Cheltenham has done the decent thing and lifted the final drinks restrictions in the Club Enclosure for 2025/26. In short, you may now wander the course pint in hand without fear of being corralled. The change not only makes for a more civilised flow of racegoers (and shorter queues at the bar), but also restores a sense of freedom that pairs rather well with a Guinness. The only corners of the course where a glass remains unwelcome are those reserved for Officials.
New Homes for Old Favourites
Hospitality also gets a lift. The Tented Village will boast a new covered food court, while the Cottage Rake and Mill House bars are reborn as the stylish Prestbury View. The Green Grazer food hall will champion local produce – a nod to both sustainability and the Cotswolds’ rich culinary heritage.
Sharper Sound, Smarter Screens
Gone are the days of muffled commentary or squinting at the big screen. A state-of-the-art PA system promises crystal-clear race calls, while upgraded Racecourse TV will deliver more data, more insight, and more drama straight to your eyes and ears.
Ladies Day Returns
Wednesday of The Festival sees the return of Ladies Day for the first time since 2019. Think £10,000 in Style Awards prizes, fashion partnerships with Debenhams and Holland Cooper, and the sort of glamour that turns Cheltenham’s enclosures into catwalks with a soundtrack of hooves.
Value, From Ticket to Pillow
Cheltenham is also taking the sting out of logistics. Tickets once again start from £35 if booked early enough, with extended discount windows to keep costs sensible. The “Room to Race” initiative expands, working with more hotels to tackle the notorious Festival price hike.
Cheltenham is already the sport’s crown jewel. But Lavender’s direction makes clear that it intends to sparkle a little brighter each year. More space, sharper facilities, a cheaper pint, and the return of Ladies Day.
After all, The Festival isn’t just about four days of racing. It’s about four days of being part of something utterly, unmistakably special.
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival
For 2025/26, Cheltenham Racecourse is sharpening its act once more, with a series of enhancements designed to ensure The Festival remains as memorable as it is magnificent.
“This is about evolution, not revolution,” says Chief Executive Guy Lavender, who has wasted no time in stamping his vision on Prestbury Park. “Our goal is simple: world-class racing at a world-class venue.”
Breathing Room, Not Bustling Crowds
This year’s Festival will welcome fewer racegoers each day – a deliberate reduction from 68,500 to 66,000. It may not sound dramatic, but anyone who has ever tried to elbow their way through a soggy bottleneck in Tattersalls will appreciate the difference. Space, after all, is a luxury.
Pints and Prosecco
In news guaranteed to bring a cheer almost as loud as the roar itself, the price of Guinness is going down. Yes, back to £7.50 a pint – a rare case of racing history repeating itself in the punter’s favour. Spirits follow suit with reductions of their own, and Prosecco joins the line-up for the first time for those looking to toast their winners in sparkling style.
Removal of Drinks Restrictions
After a successful trial run last season, Cheltenham has done the decent thing and lifted the final drinks restrictions in the Club Enclosure for 2025/26. In short, you may now wander the course pint in hand without fear of being corralled. The change not only makes for a more civilised flow of racegoers (and shorter queues at the bar), but also restores a sense of freedom that pairs rather well with a Guinness. The only corners of the course where a glass remains unwelcome are those reserved for Officials.
New Homes for Old Favourites
Hospitality also gets a lift. The Tented Village will boast a new covered food court, while the Cottage Rake and Mill House bars are reborn as the stylish Prestbury View. The Green Grazer food hall will champion local produce – a nod to both sustainability and the Cotswolds’ rich culinary heritage.
Sharper Sound, Smarter Screens
Gone are the days of muffled commentary or squinting at the big screen. A state-of-the-art PA system promises crystal-clear race calls, while upgraded Racecourse TV will deliver more data, more insight, and more drama straight to your eyes and ears.
Ladies Day Returns
Wednesday of The Festival sees the return of Ladies Day for the first time since 2019. Think £10,000 in Style Awards prizes, fashion partnerships with Debenhams and Holland Cooper, and the sort of glamour that turns Cheltenham’s enclosures into catwalks with a soundtrack of hooves.
Value, From Ticket to Pillow
Cheltenham is also taking the sting out of logistics. Tickets once again start from £35 if booked early enough, with extended discount windows to keep costs sensible. The “Room to Race” initiative expands, working with more hotels to tackle the notorious Festival price hike.
Cheltenham is already the sport’s crown jewel. But Lavender’s direction makes clear that it intends to sparkle a little brighter each year. More space, sharper facilities, a cheaper pint, and the return of Ladies Day.
After all, The Festival isn’t just about four days of racing. It’s about four days of being part of something utterly, unmistakably special.
www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival
There is something about the turning of the leaves in the Cotswolds that makes a racing person’s pulse quicken. The mornings grow sharper, the gallops glisten with dew, and from every stable yard drifts that intoxicating mixture of steam, sweat and hope.
The Cotswolds has always been more than a backdrop: it is the very heartbeat of jump racing. Wander the lanes around Naunton or Guiting Power and you may well be passing future champions in the making, ears pricked against the autumn breeze. The names of past heroes are written into the very soil and on the walls at The Hollow Bottom, but the real joy is that each fresh season arrives bearing its own mysteries, its own cast of characters waiting to burst from unknowns to festival hopefuls. And how lucky we are that the Cotswolds, with its trainers of genius and horses of great promise, remains the stage upon which this marvellous old drama continues to unfold.
The wonderful Paul Ferguson has once again given us his 10 horses from local Cotswold yards to follow for the 2025/26 season.
Now in its 19th year of publication, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow is an essential guide for any racing enthusiast and available to purchase now. It includes leading prospects for the season ahead, a focus on Irish contenders, views from leading jockeys and lots more. And most importantly, multiple winners are identified.
The Cotswolds has always been more than a backdrop: it is the very heartbeat of jump racing. Wander the lanes around Naunton or Guiting Power and you may well be passing future champions in the making, ears pricked against the autumn breeze. The names of past heroes are written into the very soil and on the walls at The Hollow Bottom, but the real joy is that each fresh season arrives bearing its own mysteries, its own cast of characters waiting to burst from unknowns to festival hopefuls. And how lucky we are that the Cotswolds, with its trainers of genius and horses of great promise, remains the stage upon which this marvellous old drama continues to unfold.
The wonderful Paul Ferguson has once again given us his 10 horses from local Cotswold yards to follow for the 2025/26 season.
Now in its 19th year of publication, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow is an essential guide for any racing enthusiast and available to purchase now. It includes leading prospects for the season ahead, a focus on Irish contenders, views from leading jockeys and lots more. And most importantly, multiple winners are identified.
BILL JOYCE
Jonjo & AJ O'Neill
This year’s list is a little O’Neill-heavy, with five of the 10 selections trained by Jonjo & A J. I make no apologies, however, as I expect the training duo to enjoy a fruitful campaign and this Grade 2-winning novice hurdler can be expected to improve for the switch to fences this winter. A winner at Carlisle and in Sandown’s Winter Novices’ Hurdle, he started last season with a flourish and should develop into a Graded-class performer over fences. Whilst he is likely to start off over an intermediate trip, I would expect him to be back up to 3m or thereabouts before too long. He remains exciting and whilst testing ground might not be essential to him, he copes with it when others can’t.
HERON IN THE PARK
Tom George
Down on numbers in recent seasons, it is pleasing to see Tom George with another exciting prospect on his hands, in the shape of this imposing Walk In The Park mare. An impressive 9½-length maiden Point winner, she cost her current connections £280,000 at Cheltenham last December and duly started to repay that hefty sum when winning a Newbury bumper in fine style. A three-parts sister to former Welsh Champion Hurdle and Betfair Hurdle winner Glory And Fortune, the five-year-old looks capable of making her presence felt at a decent level in the mares’ novice hurdle division.
KAKA’S COUSIN
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
The first of three Point-to-Point recruits to have joined the Jackdaws Castle team, this five-year-old was actually in training with the O’Neills during the second half of last season but didn’t make it to the track due to drying ground in the spring. Runner-up to Clay Pigeons at Boulta last December on his second start (fell on debut), the winner went on to win a Point-to-Point bumper at Cork and this full-brother to Blue Baloo (winner of a bumper and over hurdles for Sandy Thomson) will carry the silks of Dan Walker (owner of Bill Joyce). Given that he is now five, I would expect him to go straight over hurdles.
LARGY GO
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
A four-year-old who made a winning debut in a maiden at Loughbrickland in March, he is by one of the sires of the moment in Poet’s Word and was bought for £305,000 at Aintree, on the back of a 2-length success. He moved well through that race and the front two pulled a long way clear in a quick time. He is now in the ownership of JP McManus.
MEETMEBYTHESEA
Ben Pauling
Won three times over hurdles last season for Ben Pauling and JP McManus, before finishing a close-up third in the EBF Final at Sandown, having looked the most likely winner when taking over on the run to the final flight. Up 5lb to a mark of 133 for that reversal, the five-year-old can be expected to make a big impact in the novice chase division. Pauling won Grade 1 novice chases with both The Jukebox Man and Handstands last season and whilst it would be asking a lot for the Watar gelding to reach those lofty heights, he can be expected to continue his upward trajectory after just four starts under Rules.
MISTER MEGGIT
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
A dual bumper winner the season before last, he made the perfect start to his hurdling career at Aintree last November, winning in a canter over 2m4f. Forced to miss the majority of the season, he returned to action at the Grand National meeting and despite a 146-day lay-off and his undoubted inexperience, he ran a huge race in the Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle, looking all over the winner as he cruised to the front two out. A mistake at the last didn’t help but he tired quickly on the run-in, suggesting that the interrupted preparation might have caught up with him. With that in mind, I was a little surprised to see him take his chance at Perth just 19 days later and having never travelled, I would be happy to put a line through that performance. Now rated 136, he will be of interest in either staying handicap hurdles to begin with, or if he is sent straight over fences, as he remains a high-class prospect, capable of winning at a Graded level at some stage.
SIXMILEBRIDGE
Fergal O’Brien
Disappointed in the Baring Bingham at the Cheltenham Festival, he had earlier looked hugely promising when winning at Leicester and Huntingdon, before completing the hat-trick – at the expense of Potters Charm (another bright prospect from the area) – in the Classic Novices’ Hurdle on trials day. The six-year-old son of Affinisea finished runner-up in an Irish Point before joining Ben Pauling (moved to Fergal O’Brien last summer) and won a Sandown bumper impressively on his Rules debut back in February of last year. Set to go novice chasing, he looks to be another exciting recruit to the division and although he should stay 3m, I would expect him to start off over an intermediate trip.
UN SENS A LA VIE
Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
A winner at the second attempt between the flags in Ireland, he created a really good impression when winning a Market Rasen bumper on decent ground, scampering right away from Espresso Milan, who wasn’t disgraced at the Punchestown Festival on his next start. The Twiston-Davies team resisted the temptation of running the five-year-old in Grade 2 company at Aintree and the son of Muhtathir can be expected to develop into a very nice novice hurdler this season. Given that the stable tends to hit the ground running, he could be one to note in the early part of the season.
MOSSY FEN COOLIO
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill
Another winning Irish Pointer, the son of Kayf Tara beat just two finishers at Tallow in February but did so in devastating fashion and recorded a very quick time in the process (fully 36 seconds quicker than Hitintheheadlines who won the four-year-old maiden on the same card and is now in the care of Dan Skelton). Already five, he is another who could embark on a hurdling campaign straight away and forms what appears to be a very strong team of exciting young horses at Jackdaws Castle.
VANDERPOEL
Ben Pauling
Another for the novice chase division, he is rated just 128 at present so is likely to reappear in a novices’ handicap. Pulled-up when last seen – in the Grade 2 Premier Novices’ Hurdle at Kelso – he had earlier looked exciting in beating George’s Lad (won next time and now also rated 128) and Rubber Ball (won his next two and again, now rated 128) at Huntingdon, before defying a penalty in a weaker race at Ludlow. Still quite green last season, he will hopefully mature with experience and remains a horse of considerable potential.
Order Jumpers To Follow 2025-2026 here:
https://weatherbysshop.co.uk/collections/paul-fergusons-jumpers-to-follow
https://weatherbysshop.co.uk/collections/paul-fergusons-jumpers-to-follow
The nights draw in over Prestbury Park with a sense of anticipation that would warm the bones of the coldest soul. As the shadows lengthen across Cleeve Hill and the first breath of autumn mist curls over the paddocks, it can only mean one thing: the jumpers are back, and Cheltenham once more takes its place as the beating heart of the National Hunt game.
No other place stirs the spirit in quite the same way. Flat racing may have its silks and splendour, but the raw honesty of Cheltenham, the thunder of the hooves, muddy goggles, steam rising off a chaser’s flanks and the roar of a crowd is something that gets into the blood. The course is a theatre, and the drama played out upon its famous turf is nothing short of life itself: triumph, despair, courage, and above all, the sheer nobility of the horses.
This season promises all the ingredients that makes Cheltenham the Mecca of our winter game. Old warriors return, new pretenders lie in wait, and the whispers from the gallops are enough to stir that delicious mixture of hope and doubt that keeps us coming back year after year.
The Showcase is the unfurling of the first page in Cheltenham’s great winter tale, the raising of the curtain on a season that will carry us from the mellow fruits of autumn through to the bursting daffodils of spring. On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 2025, the Home of Jump Racing will once more echo to the rolling percussion of galloping feet, the skipped heartbeats at the last obstacle and that unmistakable hum which only Cheltenham can conjure.
For many, this is less a return to a racecourse than a pilgrimage home. A mingling of fresh expectation and the fond familiarity of old friends reunited make The Showcase a tonic for the soul. Seven fiercely contested races on each day ensure the atmosphere is set ablaze from the first fall of the starter’s flag. This is the first sip of the vintage to come, and it tastes all the sweeter for having been missed all summer.
Friday is the true start of Cheltenham’s grand campaign, a day when form and anticipation walk arm in arm. It is a chance to reacquaint oneself with the greats of the sport, both equine and human, spot the seedlings of future stars, and enjoy that first tantalising glimpse of the narratives that will carry us through the season ahead. The form book may remain light, but the air itself feels heavy with promise.
Another seven races await us on Saturday, each offering not only fierce competition but early clues as to who might flourish throughout the winter months. These are the first brushstrokes on the season’s canvas, painted in mud, muscle, and courage
When the last race is run, The Centaur awaits, where the band Mojo will bring proceedings to a rousing close with songs that lift the heart and loosen the voice, ensuring the day ends in full chorus.
Younger race-goers can enjoy a fun activation zone, where they'll have the chance to ride around the home of jump racing with the ultimate VR experience and have their photograph taken with the Gold Cup, and as is now a Cheltenham tradition outside of the Festival, under-18s race free.
The Showcase is no mere meeting. It is the ignition spark, the rekindling of the old flame and the long-awaited fanfare that announces: the jumpers are back, and all roads now lead to March. It is about more than just winners and losers, it's the thrill of the horses, the roar of the crowd and the clink of glasses among old friends. The curtain lifts, the play begins anew, and the great drama of another Cheltenham season is ready to be written.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE SHOWCASE
No other place stirs the spirit in quite the same way. Flat racing may have its silks and splendour, but the raw honesty of Cheltenham, the thunder of the hooves, muddy goggles, steam rising off a chaser’s flanks and the roar of a crowd is something that gets into the blood. The course is a theatre, and the drama played out upon its famous turf is nothing short of life itself: triumph, despair, courage, and above all, the sheer nobility of the horses.
This season promises all the ingredients that makes Cheltenham the Mecca of our winter game. Old warriors return, new pretenders lie in wait, and the whispers from the gallops are enough to stir that delicious mixture of hope and doubt that keeps us coming back year after year.
The Showcase is the unfurling of the first page in Cheltenham’s great winter tale, the raising of the curtain on a season that will carry us from the mellow fruits of autumn through to the bursting daffodils of spring. On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October 2025, the Home of Jump Racing will once more echo to the rolling percussion of galloping feet, the skipped heartbeats at the last obstacle and that unmistakable hum which only Cheltenham can conjure.
For many, this is less a return to a racecourse than a pilgrimage home. A mingling of fresh expectation and the fond familiarity of old friends reunited make The Showcase a tonic for the soul. Seven fiercely contested races on each day ensure the atmosphere is set ablaze from the first fall of the starter’s flag. This is the first sip of the vintage to come, and it tastes all the sweeter for having been missed all summer.
Friday is the true start of Cheltenham’s grand campaign, a day when form and anticipation walk arm in arm. It is a chance to reacquaint oneself with the greats of the sport, both equine and human, spot the seedlings of future stars, and enjoy that first tantalising glimpse of the narratives that will carry us through the season ahead. The form book may remain light, but the air itself feels heavy with promise.
Another seven races await us on Saturday, each offering not only fierce competition but early clues as to who might flourish throughout the winter months. These are the first brushstrokes on the season’s canvas, painted in mud, muscle, and courage
When the last race is run, The Centaur awaits, where the band Mojo will bring proceedings to a rousing close with songs that lift the heart and loosen the voice, ensuring the day ends in full chorus.
Younger race-goers can enjoy a fun activation zone, where they'll have the chance to ride around the home of jump racing with the ultimate VR experience and have their photograph taken with the Gold Cup, and as is now a Cheltenham tradition outside of the Festival, under-18s race free.
The Showcase is no mere meeting. It is the ignition spark, the rekindling of the old flame and the long-awaited fanfare that announces: the jumpers are back, and all roads now lead to March. It is about more than just winners and losers, it's the thrill of the horses, the roar of the crowd and the clink of glasses among old friends. The curtain lifts, the play begins anew, and the great drama of another Cheltenham season is ready to be written.
BUY TICKETS FOR THE SHOWCASE
As the Cotswolds dons its autumnal cloak, Cheltenham Racecourse readies itself for a season of thrills, spills and unforgettable drama.
The crisp air carries the patter of hooves and the roars of well-heeled spectators, with every meeting offering the perfect balance of excitement and emotion, where silks flash across the turf and every finish tells a story.
THE SHOWCASE
24-25 OCTOBER 2025
THE NOVEMBER MEETING
14-16 NOVEMBER 2025
THE CHRISTMAS MEETING
12-13 DECEMBER 2025
NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2026
FESTIVAL TRIAL'S DAY
24 JANUARY 2026
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
10-13 MARCH 2026
THE APRIL MEETING
15-16 APRIL 2026
RACE NIGHT
1 MAY 2026
The crisp air carries the patter of hooves and the roars of well-heeled spectators, with every meeting offering the perfect balance of excitement and emotion, where silks flash across the turf and every finish tells a story.
THE SHOWCASE
24-25 OCTOBER 2025
THE NOVEMBER MEETING
14-16 NOVEMBER 2025
THE CHRISTMAS MEETING
12-13 DECEMBER 2025
NEW YEAR'S DAY
1 JANUARY 2026
FESTIVAL TRIAL'S DAY
24 JANUARY 2026
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
10-13 MARCH 2026
THE APRIL MEETING
15-16 APRIL 2026
RACE NIGHT
1 MAY 2026
You can find information and tickets for each race meeting HERE.
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