Channel 4 Racing: showcase meetings/races

12 November 2013

The Open, Cheltenham Racecourse: Friday 15 – Sunday 17 November

The Open is the first major highlight of the British Jump Racing Calendar, with three days of racing magic live on Channel 4.  Friday is Countryside Day with Channel 4 taking in four races that include the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase taking centre stage alongside the newly named David Johnson Memorial Intermediate Handicap Hurdle which is sure to attract a plethora of David Pipe trained entries in honour of the former and much respected racehorse owner.

Saturday’s showcase is the thrilling Paddy Power Gold Cup won last year by the Paul Nicholls-trained Al Ferof, with the stanjames.com Greatwood Hurdle Handicap dominating Sunday’s card.  Channel 4’s coverage of The Open will also take in races from Wetherby and Fontwell Park to compliment the sporting weekend.

Hennessy Gold Cup, Racecourse Newbury: Saturday, November 30

The prestigious Hennessy Gold Cup is run over three miles and two and a half furlongs with twenty-one fences to be jumped. The event, initially staged at Cheltenham in 1957, was won by Mandarin, owned by Peggy Hennessy, a member of the family which founded Hennessy, the race's sponsoring company. In 1960 the race transferred to Newbury and won for the second time by Mandarin in 1961. In 1962 the race was won by Taxidermist ridden by the amateur rider John Lawrence, later Lord Oaksey and former member of the Channel 4 Racing team, who was the breeder and part-owner of the 2011 winner, Carruthers

The race's association with Hennessy has continued throughout its history, and this now represents British racing's longest commercial sponsorship. The Hennessy Gold Cup has been won by eight horses which have also achieved victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is broadcast live on Channel 4 in March. The most recent of these is the 2013 winner Bobs Worth trained by Nicky Henderson.

William Hill King George Winter Festival, Kempton Park: Thursday, December 26

For the last seven years, racing’s Christmas jewel – the William Hill King George VI Chase – has been dominated by two horses, Kauto Star and Long Run.  The race is a seasonal target for many outstanding chasers and with unrivalled coverage that includes a special edition The Morning Line, Channel 4 viewers enjoy the finest racing action.

Coral Welsh National, Chepstow Racecourse: Saturday, December 28

2013 sees Channel 4 makes its inaugural ‘main site’ Chepstow debut for the Coral Welsh National.  Last year’s race, which was re-staged in January, was won by the Mike Tindall-owned Monbeg Dude and provided young Michael Scudamore with a career highlight.  The winning combination is looking to repeat the performance this winter.

Cheltenham Festival, Cheltenham: Tuesday 11 – Friday14 March

Four days of championships races – the Olympics of horseracing – enough said!

Crabbie’s Grand National Festival, Aintree: Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 April

Channel 4 returns to Aintree for their second showing of the three-day Crabbie’s Grand National Festival.  The nation’s favourite race, run over four miles three and half furlong has a £1 million bounty targeted by forty horses and jockeys.  Once again, Channel 4 will support the event with season programming, a strong marketing campaign and extensive event coverage.

Bet365 Ultimate Celebration Gold Cup Day, Sandown Park: Saturday, April 26

For the first time, Bet365 Ultimate Celebration Gold Cup Day in 2014 will be a high quality all-jumps card befitting the official finale of the National Hunt season in Britain.  Sandown Park is the only racecourse to stage jumps racing on the day as part of The Jockey Club’s contribution to creating a better-defined seasonal climax.  Friday’s card (April 25), will now stage a pure flat meeting with both days live on Channel 4.

The afternoon's feature race, the Grade 1 bet365 Gold Cup, has attracted many legendary winners over the years, including the great Arkle, Special Cargo, Desert Orchid, Tidal Bay and last year's winner Quentin Collonges.