ROADS TURNING TO CHELTENHAM - THE FESTIVAL TRIAL DAY

January is now past us and the novelty of the new year is wearing out, and we are shifting into routine mode, which means looking forward to Cheltenham again for the festival. Only February stands between us and the excitement that is March in the horseracing world, as the Cheltenham festival comes into focus, the stakes become higher for punters who know what it takes to cash in at the big events. The notes are beginning to become relevant and horses that have been tracked since November are being reviewed and the final details are coming into play. Being a meticulous punter does not only demand that you pay attention to the horses, but also to the best deals out there on offer by bookmakers and sites, catching a freebie like bet365 free bets is just one of the ways a smart betting can win more for less. As the races keep come thick and fast, we take an overview look at what Cheltenham is serving en route to The Festival. 

The Festival Trials 

January still has an aura about it, one for The Festival, as the trial day comes as early as the end of the month of January, which marks the official kickoff to The Road to The Festival (but the smart ones know that started since the November Meeting). The Trial Day is a one-day event on Saturday, 30th of January 2021, which will feature a seven-race card and set the tone for what will be the road to Cheltenham in February. While the official entries and racecard are not yet available (only available a day before the trial), what we do know is that once again the feature race will be the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase. 

The event kicks off just around midday, with The JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, a juvenile A Grade 2 hurdle race with a distance of 2m 1f. 

This is followed by a 1:15 pm run of 2m 5f with The Timeform Novices’ Handicap Steeplechase. 

Next up will be the first of the Paddy Power races, as The Paddy Power 45 Sleeps To Cheltenham Trophy Handicap Chase comes into the fray, a 2m 5f Grade 3 steeplechase. 

This tees up the feature race of the day perfectly, as the Paddy Power Cotswold Chase follows at 2:25 pm. The Paddy Power Cotswold chase is a 3m and just over 1f Grade 2 run, that historically has big implications for The Festival. 

The Ballymore Classic Novices’ Hurdle and the Steel Plate And Sections Handicap Hurdle sandwich the galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdlerace, where all eyes will be on Paisley Park and a possible third straight win in the Grade 2 race.