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Cheltenham Festival to Kick Off Earlier

There is a new start time for the 2009 Cheltenham Festival and that is 1:30 instead of the regular 2pm start. The reason given by the management was that a lot of punters arrive early for the festival as they want to soak up the athmosphere and as such they have to wait too long for the first race.

Managing Director Edward Gillespie outlined the new plans by saying “One of the lessons we learned from the unusual circumstances of The Festival in 2008, was that a significant number of our customers enjoyed the earlier start that we had on Thursday and Friday. With the gates opening at 10.30am, it can seem a long time until the first race, so we are going to commence racing at 1.30pm. It will also mean that five races on each day are now broadcast live on Channel 4.”

Another change to the festival is that the main race on each day will be the fourth race which will go off a 3:20 providing a betting build up for TV.

Lastly, Conditional Jockeys will be given a chance to shine at The Festival for the first time, making a total of 26 races, with seven race cards on Wednesday and Friday. The Conditionals’ Hurdle will be a handicap over an extended two and a half miles on totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Day.

Other Cheltenham Festival News

14 Jul 2008Neptune Collongues Cheltenham Gold Cup Odds
29 May 2008Henrythenavigator Unlikely Derby Starter
08 May 2008Cheltenham Festival Gamble Leg Spinner Backed For Swinton Hurdle
08 May 2008Take The Stand Cheltenham Champion Hunter Chaser
29 Apr 20082000 Guineas Betting
25 Apr 2008Punchestown Festival Winner Reinforces Cheltenham Form
24 Apr 2008Punchestown Festival - Day 3
22 Apr 2008Tote Jackpot to hit £1 Million
18 Apr 2008Scottish Grand National Tip
15 Apr 2008Scottish Grand National Runners

Cheltenham Festival - Betting Tips

Tom LeeFollowing on from last year, we are delighted to announce that we are featuring horse racing tips from Channel Four Racing presenter, Tom Lee.

Tom appears on Channel 4's Morning Line & covers live Racing in the afternoon as well fronting RTE's Racing coverage in Ireland, his Cheltenham Festival Tips and previews of each day's Racing will be available during the Festival and supported with opinions and views from our Racing writers.

View Tom's Racing Tips