Cheltenham racecourse will open its gates to more than a quarter of a million people across four days as the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ returns.
The Cheltenham Festival is the biggest week in National Hunt horse racing, with more than £4.5million on offer in prize money across 28 races.
The Gold Cup hero of 2018 Native River is set to defend his crown, but will face stiff competition from a host of challengers, most notably King George VI Chase winner Clan Des Obeaux, and Irish-trained Presenting Percy.
Gordon Elliott, whose string include Grand National winner Tiger Roll, will be looking to retain his trainers title, while Davy Russell was last year’s top jockey.
Scroll down for Standard Sport's comprehensive preview of the festival...
Date, time and venue
The Cheltenham festival begins on Tuesday, 12 March and runs until Friday, 15 March.
The festival is staged at Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbruy Park and will include seven races per day - 28 in total, with one major event - or Championship race - per day.
Friday's Gold Cup is the blue ribbon race and will run at 3.30pm on the final day. For individual race times check out the full schedule below.
Tips
Standard Sport’s daily tips will appear here during the week of the festival.
Weather
Full weather forecasts will be available here during the week of the festival.
The going on the first day is currently expected to be good to soft.
Schedule
Feature race at 3.30pm each day
Tuesday
| 1:30pm | Supreme Novices' Hurdle |
| 2:10pm | Arkle Challenge Trophy |
| 2:50pm | Festival Handicap Chase |
| 3:30pm | Champion Hurdle |
| 4:10pm | David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle |
| 4:50pm | Novices' Handicap Chase |
| 5:30pm | National Hunt Chase |
Wednesday
| 1:30pm | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle |
| 2:10pm | RSA Chase |
| 2:50pm | Coral Cup |
| 3:30pm | Queen Mother Champion Chase |
| 4:10pm | Cross Country Chase |
| 4:50pm | Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle |
| 5:30pm | Champion Bumper |
Thursday
| 1:30pm | JLT Novices' Chase |
| 2:10pm | Pertemps Final |
| 2:50pm | Ryanair Chase |
| 3:30pm | Stayers' Hurdle |
| 4:10pm | Festival Plate |
| 4:50pm | Dawn Run Mares Novices' Chase |
| 5:30pm | Kim Muir Challenge Cup |
Friday
| 1:30pm | Triumph Hurdle |
| 2:10pm | County Hurdle |
| 2:50pm | Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle |
| 3:30pm | Cheltenham Gold Cup |
| 4:10pm | Foxhunter Chase |
| 4:50pm | Grand Annual Chase |
| 5:30pm | Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle |
Cheltenham Gold Cup odds (via Betfair)
Odds subject to change, correct as of 08/03/19
- Clan Des Obeaux 7/2
- Presenting Percy 7/2
- Native River5 /1
- Kemboy 10/1
- Bellshill 11/1
- Might Bite 11/1
- Al Boum Photo 14/1
- Thistlecrack 14/1
- Anibale Fly 16/1
- Frodon16 /1
- Road To Respect 16 /1
- Monalee 16/1
- Elegant Escape 20/1
- Balko Des Flos 25 /1
- Invitation Only 25/1
- Shattered Love 25 /1
- Tout Est Permis 25 /1
- Bristol De Mai 25/1
All odds quoted are Betfair. The Betfair Exchange had the best odds on every winner at the Cheltenham Festival last year. Small Details. Big Results at Cheltenham with Betfair. BSP v ISP. Exchange win market only. BSP is a win only calculation. 5% commission deducted. Further charges may apply. T&Cs Apply.
