Cheltenham Festival 2022 - what can we expect over the four days?
More than 280,000 people are set to attend this year
Last updated 15th Mar 2022
Cheltenham Festival gets underway today, with more than 280,000 people expected to descend onto the racecourse over the next four days.
Spectators and visitors are being welcomed once again, after a one-year fan hiatus due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Widely recognised as one of the pinnacles of the jump racing season, the Festival features 28 races, including 15 Grade 1 events. Racegoers will also be treated to a plethora of entertainment off the track.
DAY ONE - Champion Day, Tuesday 15 March
The Festival kicks-off in style with the Champion Hurdle race. In previous years, horses including Istabraq, Hurricane Fly, and Buveur D'Air have emerged victorious.
Live music will also be on offer from The Wickermen and Murphy's Marbles.
DAY TWO - Ladies Day, Wednesday 16 March
The Queen Mother Champion Race leads the agenda, with the two-miler attracting a high calibre of horses and jockeys alike. This year, British hope Shishkin will be challenging Irish raider Energumene.
Away from the racing, artists including Tommy & The Fuse, Lucky 15's, The Hipcats and Got2Sing will all be playing.
DAY THREE - Champion Day, Thursday 17 March
Arguably the social crescendo of the Festival, St Patrick's Day sees green outfits flood the racecourse. The Jockey Club says this particular Thursday "celebrates all things Irish".
The Ryanair Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle headline the penultimate afternoon which, along with Day Four, is already sold out.
DAY FOUR - Gold Cup Day, Friday 18 March
The event concludes with feature race the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Many purists consider this to be the pinnacle of the Jump racing calendar - it unsurprisingly headlines Day Four.
Previous winners Best Mate and Kauto Star became household names in the sport after finishing top of the pile here.
This year, all general admission tickets for Gold Cup Day were flogged before the end of January, for the first time ever.
Cheltenham Festival 2022
Day One
Racegoers are primed for action after a year away!
Day One
68,000 people are expected to attend the Festival's opening day.
Day One
Tuesday is headlined by the Champion Hurdle race.
Day One
The bookmakers will be delighted that fans are back at Cheltenham, after a one-year hiatus.
Day One
Horses including Buveur D'Air, Istabraq and Hurricane Fly have won the Champion Hurdle race in previous years.
Day One
Horses being taken to the ring on Day One.
Day One
250 bookies are on site this year.
Day One
Winners Rachel Blackmore and Honeysuckle following the Champion Hurdle race.
Day One
The notorious 'Cheltenham Roar' is back in full force!
Day One
On Friday attention will turn to the Gold Cup race.
Day One
The event is expected to generate up to ÂŁ50 million for the local economy.
Day One
Horses including Best Mate and Kauto Star became household names after their success at Cheltenham.