The Cheltenham Festival has become a significant part of the sporting calendar and is the most popular jumps-racing event in the world. Over £ 4 million worth of prizes are given out across the four days, and over 60,000 spectators descend upon the Gloucestershire track annually. We take at a look at why it is undoubtedly worth tuning in for this hugely popular sporting exhibition.
It isn't just for Seasoned Horse Racing Fans

Over the last fifteen years, the festival has gone from strength to strength, and all roads tend to lead to Cheltenham during the National Hunt season. It showcases the creme-de-la-creme of jumps racing with trainers such as Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson sending out their stable stars. It has now firmly established itself as a sporting spectacle. Similar to events such as the Superbowl, you don't have to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of this discipline to enjoy this sporting occasion.


Additional Narratives Add to the Drama

The Cheltenham Festival provides some narratives which are routinely played out throughout the four days. Ireland vs the UK has become an increasingly recurring theme, and trainers such as Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins have helped ratchet up the level of the competition in recent years. Another fascinating tussle is in prospect once again in 2019. 

Picking a Winner Can be Tremendous Fun

It isn't essential to place a bet while watching the Cheltenham Festival, but most viewers will likely be heard roaring home their chosen horse during the final few furlongs at Prestbury Park. It can be a tremendous way to spend an afternoon, and there is always the possibility of ending the week in profit. It is also becoming synonymous with ante-post betting as punters place their wagers months in advance. According to Oddschecker, Presenting Percy is attracting the majority of money in the ante-post Gold Cup betting this year following a classy display at Gowran Park. If you don't follow the sport throughout the year, it can often be worth paying attention to significant market moves to gauge the level of expectation ahead of each race.

The Cheltenham Festival provides yearly four days of terrific theatre, and it has become one of the sport's must-watch events. 2019 will likely produce plenty more drama and unmissable excitement and will undoubtedly have most newcomers hooked after the first day of action on the turf.