Cheltenham Racecourse

^{(Image acknowledged & credited to Timeform/At The Races)}

Course Information: Cheltenham’s Prestbury Park is the home of three racecourses: the Old course, the New course, and the Cross Country course. All three courses are left-handed and finish with the famous “Cheltenham Hill”, which is a stiff uphill run to the finishing post, which has an elevation of approximately 13 metres from the three-furlong post. The steepest of any racecourse in Britain and Ireland. For this reason, the race is never over until it's over. Many a “sure thing” that looked to be cruising halfway up the hill has been collared close to the winning post and beaten. Wait for the fat lady to start singing before you begin counting your winnings. 

The Old Course is considered to be sharper and, therefore, a test of speed. On the new course, the hurdles course has only two flights in the last seven furlongs, so it is more of a test of stamina and endurance than jumping ability. Hold-up horses that come from the rear with a late run often do well, as there can be a tendency for jockeys to kick for home too soon and get caught on the hill. 

The Cross Country course, which was introduced in 1995, is a rough figure of eight shape and a test of stamina for steeplechasers like no other, where the horses are required to jump over railed edges, old whisky barrels, cheese wedge-shaped obstacles, and several ditches and banks. Due to its unique characteristics, horses with previous good form around these types of courses should be noted.

A full, detailed and in-depth review of the racecourse and its facilities can be found here (click the link below): https://www.racecourseadvisor.com/racecourse-reviews-1/cheltenham

Aerial View of Cheltenham Racecourse (Image credited & acknowledged to Google Earth