The annual Cheltenham Festival is one of Britain's most popular racing events.
The annual Cheltenham Festival is one of Britain's most popular racing events.
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Tucked away in a rural corner of West England, Cheltenham hosts four main races: the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the World Hurdle.
Tucked away in a rural corner of West England, Cheltenham hosts four main races: the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the World Hurdle.
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The four-day long competition runs from March 14-17 and coincides with St. Patrick's Day, a national holiday in Ireland.
The four-day long competition runs from March 14-17 and coincides with St. Patrick's Day, a national holiday in Ireland.
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There was a full house at Cheltenham racecourse on day one of the festival. In 2015, almost <a target="_blank" target="_blank">250,000</a> attended across the four days of racing.
There was a full house at Cheltenham racecourse on day one of the festival. In 2015, almost 250,000 attended across the four days of racing.
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The second day of racing marks Ladies' Day, where women traditionally come dressed in elaborate hats.
The second day of racing marks Ladies' Day, where women traditionally come dressed in elaborate hats.
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A racegoer dressing to impress at this year's festival.
A racegoer dressing to impress at this year's festival.
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Crowds of 65,000 each day are anticipated at the festival.
Crowds of 65,000 each day are anticipated at the festival.
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Runners turn into the straight in front of a packed Grand Stand for the Ultima Handicap Chase on the first day. The race was won by Un Temps Pour Tout -- the third horse ever to claim back-to-back victories.
Runners turn into the straight in front of a packed Grand Stand for the Ultima Handicap Chase on the first day. The race was won by Un Temps Pour Tout -- the third horse ever to claim back-to-back victories.
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With a purse in excess of ￡4.3M ($5.25) up for grabs, the Festival is popular with jockeys and trainers alike.
With a purse in excess of ￡4.3M ($5.25) up for grabs, the Festival is popular with jockeys and trainers alike.
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With the morning dew still fresh on the turf, riders practice the day before the Festival got underway.
With the morning dew still fresh on the turf, riders practice the day before the Festival got underway.
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Legendary jockey A.P. McCoy, who has ridden 31 winners and won two Gold Cups at the Festival, unveils a statue of himself at the racecourse this year.
Legendary jockey A.P. McCoy, who has ridden 31 winners and won two Gold Cups at the Festival, unveils a statue of himself at the racecourse this year.
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