Welcome to The Festival
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T HE wait is over, The Festival TM presented by Magners is with us again and what an extraordinary four days we have to look forward to when we open the doors on Tuesday March 10 at 10.30am. Our front-page feature is on the leading Irish jockey and double Festival winner Rachael Blackmore, who chats to her friend and fellow jockey Patrick Mullins about her career, her recent successes and about how much she is looking forward to this year’s Festival. The 2019 Festival had many highlights, including Willie Mullins gaining his first victory in the Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup courtesy of Al Boum Photo and Paul Townend. But how could we forget the ‘Golden Hour’ on Day Three of The Festival with Bryony Frost’s victory on Frodon in the Ryanair Chase closely followed by Paisley Park being roared home by the crowd in the Stayers’ Hurdle. We hear from Bryony, the first rider to be sponsored by The Jockey Club, who relives that moment with Frodon, and from Andrew Gemmell, owner of Paisley Park, who really relishes his love of racing. His enjoyment is infectious. We reflect on Ruby Walsh’s glorious Festival moments and the new trophy named in his honour that will be presented to the leading jockey at The Festival and we look back at some fantastic anniversary tales from past Festivals. As well as some fascinating interviews we have a handy day-by-day guide to The Festival, including timings of all the entertainment on offer so you don’t miss any of the fun. And you can pick up tips from some of the leading trainers in Britain and Ireland. Unveiled for 2020 is a new area called The Park, situated within the Club and Tattersalls enclosure. The Park will be a hive of fun and style and is the perfect spot for racegoers looking to combine action on the track with the fun of a day at the races. I very much hope you enjoy this year’s Festival, with four extraordinary days of racing and top-class entertainment to suit everyone. Ian Renton
RACHAEL BLACKMORE The rider who is ripping up the rule book
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BRYONY FROST A star of The 2019 Festival’s Golden Hour . . .
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ANDREW GEMMELL . . . along with Paisley Park’s remarkable owner
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PUNTING POINTERS James Pyman shares his Festival strategy
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FERDY MURPHY Farewell to a giant of the training profession
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RUBY, RUBY, RUBY, RUBY! Celebrating the legendary jockey’s Festival years
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JOHN McCRIRICK The broadcaster is much missed at Cheltenham
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FIND YOURWAY AROUND Racecourse map with all the main attractions
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ROBERT ALNER Heroic life of the Gold Cup-winning trainer
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REMEMBERWHEN Great Festival moments from the last 30 years
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THROUGH A LENS Captured images from last year’s Festival
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TIGER’S FEATS It’s not just at Aintree that Tiger Roll excels
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TRAINERS MARK YOUR CARD The search for Festival winners starts here
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COMING UP All the latest from Jockey Club Racecourses
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An official Cheltenham Racecourse publication Copyright 2020. Except as permitted by the current legislation, no part of the magazine may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission. All information correct at time of going to press. Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 4SH A RACING POST production for Cheltenham Racecourse Executive editor Sarah-Jane Muirie Art director Paul Crabtree Commissioning editor John Cobb Design Paul Fielder Photographs Edward Whitaker, Patrick McCann, Mark Cranham, John Grossick, Getty Images, Dan Abraham Print PCP
Regional Director,
Jockey Club Racecourses
March 2020 The Festival 3
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