|
|
 |
| |
|  |
Each of the different categories of Jump race has its Championship race at either the Cheltenham Festival or the Aintree Grand National Festival.
These festivals are the main events of the Jumps season, and two of the most historic and important events in racing anywhere on the planet.
Cheltenham Festival
13-16 March 2012
Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the Jump racing calendar anywhere in the world. Every owner, trainer and jockey dreams of having a winner at the festival in front of the huge crowds and the famous Cheltenham Roar.
Every race, be it the Gold Cup or a Novices Hurdle, is a championship race. Virtually every top Chaser and Hurdler is aimed at the Festival from the start of the season, and for jumps racing fans too, all roads lead to Cheltenham in March.
The feature race on Tuesday is The Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle, the most sought after prize anywhere for 2 mile hurdlers. The 2011 renewal of the race was won by Hurricane Fly who beat Peddlers Cross by 1 and 1/4 lengths.
Wednesday sees the Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase take centre stage, as the best two mile chasers produce a fast and furious contest over the famous Cheltenham fences. For many, this is the most exciting race of the year and Sizing Europe produced a great performance to claim victory in 2011.
Thursday is the famous Ladies day, and also the day the long distance hurdlers contest The Ladbrokes World Hurdle where only the brave and the strong prevail. Big Buck's equalled Inglis Drever's record by winning the 3 mile race for the third time in 2011. Thursday also features the Grade 1 2m5f Ryanair chase.
Then comes Friday and the highlight of the entire Jump season: the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase, run over 3m 3 1/2f. Long Run led home the old guard of Denman and Kauto Star in 2011.
Apart from the big races, the novice events for Hurdlers and Chasers are championships in their own right, while the handicaps are among the most fiercely contested races in the Jumps season.
Aintree Grand National Festival
12-14 April 2012
Since its inaugural running in 1839, the John Smith's Grand National has become the most famous and most valuable chase in the world. There is nothing quite like that sensation of the heart-clutching expectation as the 40-strong field are persuaded into line, ready to tackle the first of the thirty fences.
Held on the Saturday of a top class three day meeting, It's the time when even your granny has a flutter, and for those visiting Aintree during the meeting it's time to experience something really special. There truly is no spectacle like this in the entire Jumps racing calendar.
The 2011 renewal saw Ballabriggs take the crown at the head of a huge field for the 4m4f chase, with a gritty staying display which gave jockey Jason Maguire and trainer Donald McCain (son of Ginger McCain - trainer of the legendary three-time Grand National winner Red Rum and 2004 winner Amberleigh House) their first win in the race.
Also on the Saturday you can watch the Championship Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle (2m 4f) which was won by Oscar Whisky in 2011, trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Barry Geraghty.
The Friday of the festival hosts the John Smiths Melling chase, a Championship Grade 1 2m4f Steeplechase event which saw a return to form for Master Minded in the 2011 running of the race, seeing off the 2010 winner Albertas Run by 9 lengths.
Book your tickets now for the most famous and valuable steeplechase in the World.
|
|
|
