The emblematic Cheltenham Festival (15-18 March) once again served up 4 days of top-class racing with some surprises. The poor conditions on Wednesday sadly meant initial favourite Shishkin was pulled up in the Champion Chase while 2-time Grand National winner Tiger Roll missed out on a record-equalling sixth Festival victory in his final run at Cheltenham. For others, it was a much more successful meeting.
A Plus Tard said “see you later” to his competitors as Rachael Blackmore rode him to victory to become the first female jockey to win Cheltenham’s eminent Gold Cup. The famous “Cheltenham roar” also rang out for Blackmore just a few days earlier when she won the Champion Hurdle for the second year in a row. The feat of winning both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup at the same meeting is something not to be sniffed at as it last happened in 1997. Don't worry if you missed out: tickets are already on sale for next year's Cheltenham Festival (14-17 March 2023).
Blackmore truly has had an astonishing year. In 2021, she won Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle, Ryanair Chase, Triumph Hurdle, and was the first female jockey to win the Grand National. She was awarded the 2021 RTÉ Sports Person of the Year and the 2021 BBC World Sport Star of the Year. Blackmore’s success has continued into 2022 with her wins at Cheltenham and the crowd – who had been absent in 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions – were keen to show her enough adulation to cover the 2 Festivals! The question on everyone’s lips is: will she win the National again this year?
The 3-day Grand National Festival (7-9 April) showcases some of the best runners and riders in the sport and features the monumental Grand National race. The gruelling steeplechase with up to 40 riders jumping 30 huge fences is watched by an estimated 600 million people worldwide and victory is the pinnacle for many a jockey, trainer, or owner. The National’s fame and universal entertainment value has cemented it as one of the greatest sporting events in the world.
There are still tickets for most enclosures for Opening Day (Thursday 7 April) and Ladies Day (Friday 8 April) including Festival Zone tickets – GBP £30 on Thursday, GBP £53 on Friday – where you can truly soak up the atmosphere with live music, delicious food, and all-important views of the finishing straight. Don’t forget to dress to impress, especially on Ladies Day, where all racegoers are encouraged to don their most stylish outfit and enter the Style Awards. For Saturday, Grand National Day, there are still some incredible hospitality packages on sale as well as some reasonably priced reseller tickets.
The iconic race has created and established many legendary names throughout its history. Think Aldaniti. Think Tiger Roll. Think Red Rum. This year, there are already some favourites jumping out of the pack. Davy Russell’s Delta Work, who acted the villain at Cheltenham by beating Tiger Roll in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, is one to watch. Snow Leopardess, Fiddlerontheroof, and last year’s winner Minella Times could all be in with a shout too, but it’s the National and anything can happen.
