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Bets Stayers’ Hurdle and The Ryanair
Chase.
2017 saw the resurgence of the
formidable Irish duo of Willie Mullins
and Ruby Walsh as they produced an
incredible four-timer, including scoring
in the feature race the Sun Bets Stayers’
Hurdle as Nichols Canyon proved his
doubters wrong to win.
Gold Cup Day
The final day of The Festival sees one of
the most sought-after titles in racing and
always promises to provide the greatest
spectacle. The Timico Gold Cup is a race
associated with the elite of the sport and
nothing can rival the Cheltenham roar as
the horses charge up the famous hill.
The 2017 race was won in style by the
Jessica Harrington-trained Sizing John at
7/1 ridden by Robbie Power in a thrilling
race fending off challenges from Native
River and Minella Rocco.
SATURDAY 24
The Boat Races, River Thames
The Championship Course
- Putney to Mortlake
The Boat Race course, known as The
Championship Course is 4 miles, 374
yards or 6.8 km long. It stretches
between Putney and Mortlake on the
River Thames in south west London.
This course was first used for The Boat
Race in 1845 and has been used for every
Race since; apart from 1846, 1856 and
1863 when the race was held in the
opposite direction between Mortlake and
Putney.
The Fulham/Chiswick side of the course
is known as the Middlesex side. The
Putney/Barnes side of the course is
known as the Surrey side. The Boat Race
is rowed upstream, but is timed to start
on the incoming “flood” tide. The Men’s
Boat Race is an hour and a half before
high tide, with The Women’s Boat Race
a further hour before so that the crews
are rowing with the fastest possible
current.
Oxford Men’s reserve boat is called Isis
whilst Cambridge’s is called Goldie. They
will race half an hour before the Blue
Boats. The women’s reserve crews are
Osiris (Oxford) and Blondie
(Cambridge). Cambridge cr