Unveiling of Gustav Holst's statue in Cheltenham

On April 4, 2008 the statue of Cheltenham born composer Gustav Holst was unveiled in Imperial Gardens. The statue is situated in the centre of the existing fountain, now called Gustav Holst Memorial Fountain, near the Town Hall, where Gustav Holst conducted his most famous piece The Planets in 1927.

Renowned sculptor Anthony Stones, based near Lechlade, created the statue and it was cast by Chalford's Pangolin foundry. The plinth of the statue is decorated with plaques depicting the individual planets which Gustav Holst used as an inspiration for his work. The unveiling ceremony was introduced by the chairman of Cheltenham Civic Society, who thanked the late Elizabeth Hamond, a member of Cheltenham Civic Society, who bequeathed £45,000 for the creation of the statue. Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood and Cheltenham Mayor John Rawson was also present. The statue was unveiled by Mark Elder, Musical Director of Halle Orchestra.

Pate's Grammar School Orchestra, played the Fanfare to Gustav Holst, composed by Holst scholar Raymond Head for the unveiling. Cheltenham Bach Choir conducted by Stephen Jackson, sang Holst's 'This I Have Done For My True Love'.

VIDEO FROM THE UNVEILING OF HOLST'S STATUE




PHOTOS FROM THE UNVEILING OF HOLST'S STATUE

Easter egg hunt in Pittville Park

10 April 2008 - Pittville Park

Children of all ages are invited to come along for a Easter egg hunt at Pittville Park on Thursday 10 April, from 1 until 3pm. Chocolate eggs will be the prize if you correctly follow clues leading through the park and answer quiz questions. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. They are asked to meet by the Pittville Park Pump Rooms play area. For more information, please call the community rangers on 01242 250019. The event is free.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Apres Bar to open in Cheltenham

Apres Bar is to open in The Brewery on Thursday 24th April 2008 at midday. Apres offers a relaxed, informal environment that suits every occasion; from breakfasts to working lunches. The extensive menu includes breakfasts, wood-fired pizzas, pastas, salads and sandwiches served daily from 9.30am-9.30pm.

Customers can take advantage of the midweek Pizza-Pasta-Meal-Deal which is available from Sunday to Thursday between 3pm-9.30pm. A children’s menu is also available. Après also offers a large selection of different draft beers. As the bar is situated in The Brewery near the Cineworld cinema, it is an ideal venue for pre and post cinema cocktails, family dining and lively nights out with friends. Complimentary WIFI in the venue offers professionals the opportunity to carry out meetings with ease and sections of the venue are available for private hire.

The happy hour runs daily from 3pm-8pm and from midday Sunday and encourages responsible drinking among groups of friends who are able to share bottles of wine and 4pint cocktail pitchers at reduced cost. As mellow music blends into up-tempo grooves, guests are taken on a subtle sound experience that culminates in a buzzing late night scene.

For its opening Apres came up with two introductory offers – 25% off your next bill and Coffee & Cake for £1.99.

April gigs in Cheltenham

In April Beyond Eternity Promotions have prepared some exciting gigs for Cheltenham and surrounding areas.

Fri 4 April 2008
Les Wilson - The Tubby Blues Show, Newlands Park Club, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 3PE, 8:25pm, R&B
Rockology - The Anchor Inn, High Street, Tewkesbury, Britpop
Sat 5 April 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band - The Miners Hall, Cinderford, Jazz,
Sun 6 April 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band - The Harp, Albrington, 12:30pm, Jazz
Mon 7 April 2008
JB3 - The Daffodil, Suffolk Parade, Cheltenham, 7:30pm, Jazz
Tue 8 April 2008
Paul Newman's Jam Night - The Royal Oak, Hucclecote from 9pm, Blues, Rock & Pop
Thu 10 April 2008
Silverfall & Katey Brookes - Monty's Bar, St. George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
Fri 11 April 2008
Tom Jurgens - The Royal George, Birdlip, 8:30pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Touch of Blue - The Royal Oak, Hucclecote, from 9pm, Blues
Sat 12 April 2008
Tom Jurgens - The Crown & Trumpet, Broadway, 9pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Touch of Blue - The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham, from 9pm, Blues
Sun 13 April 2008
JB2 - The Kilkeney, Andoversford, 12:30pm, Jazz
JB Jazz & Blues Band - Cheltenham Civil Service Club, 8:00pm, Jazz
One Way Street - The Kings Arms, Gloucester Road, 9pm, Blues, Rock & Pop
Tue 15 April 2008
Paul Newman's Jam Night - The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham, from 9pm
The Jay Cee Big Band - The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm - Music starts at 9pm, Jazz
Thu 17 April 2008
Blood Choir Midnight Mile - Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
Sun 20 April 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band - Highnam Court for RNLI, Afternoon, Jazz
Thu 24 April 2008
Lisa Theunissen - Monty's Bar, St. George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
JB Jazz & Blues Band - Three Choirs Vineyard, Newent, 8:00pm
Fri 25 April 2008
Cheltenham Connections Daytime Concert - The Town Hall, Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham, 11am until 1pm
JB3 - The Royal George, Birdlip, 8:30pm, Jazz
Tom Jurgens - The Pilot Inn, Hardwicke, 9:00pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Sat 26 April 2008
Tom Jurgens - The Bell Inn, Shurdington, 9:00pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Sun 27 April 2008
Touch of Blue - The Kings Arms, Gloucester Road, 9:00pm, Blues
Tue 29 April 2008
Paul Newman'sJam Night - The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm - Music starts at 9pm

For a full calendar of 2008 Cheltenham gigs please visit our MySpace page. For other Cheltenham events visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Easter Holiday Activities

Throughout Easter holiday a team of qualified and experienced coaches will be available for children in Cheltenham with a range of sport activities on offer.

There will be a Sportzone Roadshow, a series of multi-sport activity sessions for children aged 8 -14. Sports will include urban cricket, football, rounders, tennis, athletics, golf, American football and many more. Sportzone Roadshows will be taking place from Monday, 7 April to Friday, 11 April 9.30am – 12.30pm at Balcarras School, Charlton Kings and from Monday, 14 April to Friday, 18 April 9.30am – 12.30pm at Christ College, Arle Road. The cost for the week is £16 or £4 per day.

Schools Out Progamme is aimed at children aged 5-15 and will include arts and crafts, Wii, group games, parachute, toys, games, indoor and outdoor sports and activities, reading and trip to West Midlands Safari Park. Schools Out will be taking place in Swindon Village Hall and Whaddon Youth Centre daily 10am – 3.30pm throughout the holiday. The cost is £3.90 for full day or £1.95 for half day.

Play Rangers offer free activities for families. During the day children of any age can come along and enjoy playing on a large variety of equipment in Cheltenham parks. The Play Rangers will be in the Beeches Park on Mondays, 7 and 14 April, Montpellier Gardens on Tuesdays, 8 and 15 April, Naunton Park on Wednesdays 9 and 16 April, Benhall Park on Thursdays 10 and 17 April and in Caernarvon Park on Fridays 11 and 18 April. All sessions start at 10.30am and finish at 3.30pm.

There will be a 3 day soccer camp at Cheltenham Town FC 7 April – 9 April at Cheltenham Town FC and 14 April – 16 April at Swindon Village. The cost of the camp is £17 per day. To book your place please call Mike Cook on 01242 518630.

Sports in the Parks, aimed at youngsters aged 11-18 will include free informal sporting activities in Cheltenham playing fields. Sports in the Parks will take place at Agg-Gardener Recreation Ground on Monday, 7 April and Tuesday, 8 April, Springfield Park, Welch Road on Wednesday, 9 April and Thursday, 10 April, Caernarvon on Friday, 11 April and Friday, 18 April, Clyde Crescent Recreation Ground on Monday, 14 April and Tuesday, 15 April and in King George V Playing Fields, Rowanfield, on Wednesday, 16 and Thursday, 17 April. All sessions start at 2pm and finish at 4pm.

Sport Specific Afternoons aimed at children aged 8-14 will encourage children to develop skills in particular sports under the guidance of qualified coaches. Badminton will be taught on Tuesday, 8 April in Balcarras School and Tuesday, 15 April in Christ College. Sports Hall Athletics sessions will take place on Wednesday, 9 April in Balcarras School and Wednesday, 16 April in Christ College. Urban cricket sessions will take place on Thursday, 10 April in Balcarras School and Thursday, 17 April in Christ College and hockey will be taught on Friday, 11 April in Balcarras School and Friday, 18 April in Christ College. All sessions start at 1.30pm and finish at 4pm. The cost is £5 per session. There will be a tennis coaching week at Montpellier Gardens tennis courts from Monday, 14 April to Friday, 18 April 10am – 12 noon, the cost is £20 for the week.

All places need to be booked beforehand. To download a booking form please click here.

Nikki Coady's Variety Show at Bacon Theatre

Saturday, 5 April 2008

Nikki Coady and her CoadyCrew Dancers invite you to their Variety Show which takes place in Bacon Theatre on 5 April at 7pm. Local acts such as Free Runners, Breakers, Karate World will also perform and there will be much more, such as singers, bands and gymnastics acts.
Admission: £8 adults and £7 children and concessions. Tickets can be bought on the door (cash only) or ringing the studio on 01242 577706.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham Family Events in April

Bookstart Bear in the library

Friday, 4 April 2008, 10am – 10.30am Bishops Cleeve Library - Storytime
Friday, 4 April 2008, 2.15pm – 3.00pm Winchcombe Library - Storytime
Monday, 7 April 2008, 2.15pm – 3.00pm Churchdown Library – Storytime

Big Blue Bear is visiting a number of libraries in the beginning of April to promote Bookstart, a national programme of great free resource for children under 4 years old, which encourages children from as early an age as possible to learn to enjoy and love reading. As part of Bookstart Bookcrawl, children receive a sticker every visit to the library and every five visits they will be able to get a brightly coloured certificate designed by well-known illustrators. There are five to collect. All events are free.



Cheltenham Town FC Family Fun Day

Saturday, 12 April 2008 - Whaddon Road Stadium

On Saturday 12th April Cheltenham Town FC is hosting another ever popular Family Fun Day. Entertainment starts at 2pm and includes: football juggling, face painting and local dancers. There will be a chance to meet Whaddney, the robin. Take advantage of the QUID a KID promotion and bring along the little ones.


For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Prestbury Scouts Jumble Sale

26 April 2008 - Prestbury Scout Hall, The Burgage

Prestbury Scouts are holding a jumble sale at Prestbury Scout Hall, The Burgage, Prestbury. Furniture, books, CDs, videos, DVDs, garden and DIY, electrical equipment will be on sale from 10.15am. Kitchenware, crockery, bric-a-brac and clothes on sale from 2pm.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club Table Top Sale

5 April 2008 - Denley Hall, Bishop's Cleeve

Bishop's Cleeve Seniors Club is holding a table top sale at Denley Hall, Churchfields, Bishop's Cleeve. Sale of first class bric-a-brac, books, clothing, and many other items. 10am - 11.30pm. Refreshments are available. Admission FREE.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Videos from Cheltenham Easter Weekend 2008

A three-day street party featuring some of the town's finest bands and acts took place in Cheltenham town centre over the Easter weekend. As part of the Big Easter Weekend, there were bands and street entertainers in the High Street, the Promenade and the two shopping arcades. Despite the snow and sleet, the festival attracted thousands of people over the three days. Saturday featured an Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnett Parade for children - radio DJ John Rockley, mayor John Rawson and the rector of Cheltenham, the Rev Andrew Dow were the judges.

CHELTENHAM EASTER WEEKEND

EDGE OF BLUE AT CHELTENHAM EASTER WEEKEND

THE MANDRAKE PROJECT AT CHELTENHAM EASTER WEEKEND

Handel's Messiah at St. Andrew's Church, Cheltenham

Saturday, 5 April 2008

Philomusica of Gloucestershire & Worcestershire Mixed Choir with Conductor Linda Parsons will perform Handel's Messiah in St. Andrew's Church, Montpellier. Soloists will include Lyn Rimell, KathrynSkipp, Gaye Boggon, Karen Longmate, John Crayford and David Parsons.

Performance starts at 7.30 pm.
Tickets: £7.

For more information about the choir please visit www.philomusica.org.uk.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

Cheltenham May and June Events

As usual, Cheltenham4u is bringing you a round-up of Cheltenham events for the next few months. As the summer is near and the festival season in Cheltenham has started, May and June brings even more music, drama, science and even culinary delights to Cheltenham.
Starting with Cheltenham Jazz Festival at the beginning of May and continuing with Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts, Wychwood Festival, Cheltenham Science Festival, these couple of months culminate with a brand new festival for 2008 Cheltenham Food & Drink Festival, which will take place in Montpellier Gardens.

There will be plenty of events during the two May Bank holidays. The early May Bank holiday brings Home & Garden Show to the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse and later in the month, Spring Bank holiday will feature Gloucestershire's famous Cheese Rolling when Double Gloucester Cheese is chased down the steep slope of Cooper's Hill. Charlton Kings will celebrate the Spring Bank holiday with a festival and village fair.

For more information about these and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

New bus service 99 in Cheltenham

A new park and ride bus service was launched in Cheltenham this week. Four buses are now available on a new route 99 which is run by Stagecoach in partnership with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The service, which runs Monday to Friday, will provide passengers with a shuttle bus between the two hospitals and a park-and-ride service from the Racecourse to Cheltenham General Hospital. The route has four stops only: Cheltenham Racecourse Park & Ride, Albion Street, Cheltenham General Hospital College Road and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester. The buses run every half an hour in peak time.

For more information about Cheltenham bus services and routes please visit our Cheltenham Transport Guide.

Danter's Funfair in Cheltenham This Easter

20th March - 6th April 2008, Cheltenham Racecourse
Yet again Danter's Funfair visits Cheltenham, promising over two weeks of great entertainment. Coinciding with Cheltenham Easter weekend, Danter's Funfair will be pitched with their amazing rides at Cheltenham Racecourse. The fun fair is open daily from 2pm.

For more information about this and other Cheltenham events please visit our Cheltenham events guide.

2008 Cheltenham Festival Fixtures

Severe weather has made an impact on this year's Cheltenham Festival. Just as the Festival was due to start, gale-force winds ripped down a marquee / restaurant at Cheltenham Racecourse. A 50mph gust tore the roof and sidings from the 300-seat tent, where at 4am yesterday. Fortunately, the Guiness Stand remained undamaged as its roof had been removed as a precaution.

The second day of the Cheltenham Festival has now been cancelled because of the stormy weather at the racecourse as strong winds had made the marquees in the tented hospitality area unsafe. Wednesday's races will now be run across Thursday and Friday's meeting. The Gold Cup showdown between Kauto Star and Denman will still take place on Friday as part of a nine-race card.

2008 Cheltenham Festival Fixtures

TUESDAY 11 MARCH
1400 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle (2m 110y)
1435 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (2m)
1515 Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (2m 110y)
1600 William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase (3m 110y)
1640 BGC Cross Country Chase (3m 7f)
1720 Fred Winter Junior Novices' Handicap Hurdle (2m 110y)

WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH - cancellled, races run Thu&Fri
1400 Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle (2m 5f)
1435 Royal & SunAlliance Chase (3m 110y)
1515 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
1600 Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (2m 5f)
1640 Peter O'Sullevan National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup (4m)
1720 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m 110y)

THURSDAY 13 MARCH
1400 Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
1435 Ryanair Chase (2m 5f)
1515 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (3m)
1600 Racing Post Plate Handicap Chase (2m 5f)
1640 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (3m 1f 110y)
1720 Pertemps Final (Handicap Hurdle) (3m)

FRIDAY 14 MARCH
1400 JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
1435 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (3m)
1515 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m 2f 110y)
1600 Christie's Foxhunter Chase (3m 2f 110y)
1635 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (2m 110y)
1710 David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle (2m 4f 110y)
1745 Vincent O'Brien County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)

University of Gloucestershire’s Pittville Campus to close

The University of Gloucestershire's Pittville campus, which is dedicated to art, media and communications, is going to close as the facility will be moved to a new £40 million site in Blackfriars, Gloucester. The Gloucester site would incorporate new academic programmes including dance, drama, and fashion. It's also hoped the campus would house a new library, student accommodation and a students' union. The move is expected to take between five to eight years to complete as The University of Gloucestershire is hoping to double the numbers of students from 9,500 to 15,000 by 2012.

Another facility of the University of Gloucestershire which will close in Cheltenham this March is the student training restaurant The Gloucester Suite at Francis Close Hall. For many years Cheltenham residents have enjoyed excellent meals there and it often held themed evenings, lunches, and entertainment.. Instead, HND and degree students will share facilities with Gloucestershire College at its Renaissance Restaurant facility in Princess Elizabeth Way, Cheltenham.

March gigs in Cheltenham

In March Beyond Eternity Promotions have prepared some exciting gigs for Cheltenham and surrounding areas.

06 Mar 2008
Pete Gill, The Apple Tree, Stockwell Lane, Woodmancote, Cheltenham, 9pm Boogie & Blues
Gary Nock & Vince Freeman, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
07 Mar 2008
True Colours Band, Anchor Inn, Tewkesbury, 9pm, Pop & Rock
The Ian Parker Band & Pete Mitchell's Drive, The Tubby Blues Show, Newlands Park Club, Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham, GL52 3PE, 8:25pm, Blues
08 Mar 2008
Touch Of Blue, The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham, from 9pm, Blues
09 Mar 2008
JB2, The Kilkenny, Andoversford, 12 noon, Jazz
JB Jazz & Blues Band, Cheltenham Civil Service Club, Tewkesbury Road, 8pm, Jazz & Blues
Open Mic Night with Mike Franklin, The Cotswold Inn, Portland Street 8:30pm - all are welcome Various
10 Mar 2008
Tom Jurgens, The Royal George, Birdlip 8:30pm Blues, Rock & Pop
11 Mar 2008
One Way Street, The London Inn, Charlton Kings 9pm Pop & Rock
12 Mar 2008
Hambling & Lloyd, The London Inn, Charlton Kings 9pm Pop & Rock
Tom Jurgens, The Bell Inn, Shurdington, 9pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
13 Mar 2008
One Way Street, The London Inn, Charlton Kings, 9pm, Pop & Rock
Lee Mitchell & Pete Hills, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm Indie
14 Mar 2008
Tom Jurgens, The House in the Tree, Acoustic Pop & Folk
15 Mar 2008
Vince Freeman, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 9:30pm, Acoustic
Hambling & Lloyd, The Cotswold Inn, Portland Street, 9pm, Pop & Rock
Tom Jurgens, The Pilot Inn, Hardwicke, 9pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
16 Mar 2008
Tom Jurgens, Kings Head Inn, Upton St Leonards, 1pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Open Mic Night with Mike Franklin, The Cotswold Inn, Portland Street, 8:30pm - all are welcome
18 Mar 2008
The Patsy Gamble Band, The Venue Jazz Club, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, Doors open 8pm, Music starts 9pm, Jazz
Paul Newman's Jam Night, The Bayshill Inn, Royal Well, Cheltenham, from 9pm, Blues, Rock & Pop
20 Mar 2008
Susy Thomas, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm, Indie
22 Mar 2008
JB3, The Royal George, Birdlip, 8:30pm, Jazz
Tom Jurgens, The Crown & Trumpet, Broadway, 9pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
One Way Street, The Bell Inn, Shurdington, 9pm, Pop & Rock
23 Mar 2008
JB Jazz & Blues Band, Stafford Jazz Club, 12:30, Jazz & Blues
Tom Jurgens, Longlevens Rugby Club, 8:30pm, Acoustic Pop & Folk
Open Mic night with Mike Franklin, The Cotswold Inn, Portland Street, 8:30pm - all are welcome Blues, Rock & Pop
25 Mar 2008
Paul Newman's Jam Night, The Venue, Wheatsheaf Inn, Old Bath Road, GL53 9AJ, 9pm, Pop & Rock
27 Mar 2008
Dave Miles, The Apple Tree, Stockwell Lane, Woodmancote, Cheltenham
9pm Pop & Rock
Amy Newton & VJ Kishor, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 8:30pm, Acoustic
28 Mar 2008
Vince Freeman, Monty's Bar, St George's Road, 9:30pm, Acoustic
30 Mar 2008
Open Mic Night with Mike Franklin, The Cotswold Inn, Portland Street, 8:30pm - all are welcome, Various

For a full calendar of 2008 Cheltenham gigs please visit our MySpace page. For other Cheltenham events visit our Cheltenham events guide.

New plans for Cheltenham – Civic Pride design scheme

Cheltenham Borough Council is holding a 6 week public consultation of their urban design scheme called Civic Pride. This scheme aims to change the look of the town in the next five years and members of the public are invited to have their say about the scheme.

The three main areas which are to be transformed are High Street at the Boots corner, Royal Well bus station and North Place with Portland Street. The Civic Pride suggests the whole area to be pedestrianised, only accessible by public transport and taxis, similar to the way the west side of the High Street is today. The emphasis is on creating a northern extension of the town centre towards Pittville Park, with the possibility of some of the council services moving there. Additional expansion of the town centre should be the redevelopment of Royal Well, creating a new “destination” with links to Cheltenham Art Gallery. The bus station is likely to move or buses could stop at various other places in the town centre.

There will be a public exhibition in the Regent Arcade, from 9.30am until 5.30pm on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 March. Council officers and design consultants will be on hand to answer questions. The exhibition will also be on show at Springbank Community Centre, Oakley Resource Centre, Charlton Kings and Hester’s Way Community Centre. either on-line or in writing.

The final plans will be presented on 30 June and a councillor vote will decide if the plans are accepted.

Cheltenham Nostalgia

Often or not we look back at the time of our childhood with fond memories. Many of our childhood and teenage experiences we treasure forever, as they formed the person we are now. When looking through old photographs we dispair at the silly things we wore and the daft hairstyles we had, but deep down we would like to go back to those years and recapture those moments. Some things from those days were just fads and others became timeless classics.

Cheltenham4u would like to invite you on a journey to the past, to the days Cheltenham was rocking to Bill Hailey, screaming to the Beatles, cheered on Eddie the Eagle and celebrated Robin's promotion to the Conference.

Cheltenham Nostalgia is a brand new section of Cheltenham4u.co.uk, exploring Cheltenham of the past decades, where users can submit their memories of the decades and of Cheltenham. Please feel free to submit your memories to share them with others.

2008 Cheltenham Festival horse racing tips

Cheltenham Festival, the biggest event of the UK horse racing season, will start in just under two weeks. Every year the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the highlight of the Cheltenham festival with all the runners hoping to win the number one race of the UK National Hunt season.

Last year’s winner Kauto Star is now considered the favourite with 11/10 chance for victory, following his victory in the King George and his good performance in the Ascot First Commercial Chase in February.

However, his Stablemate Denman, the only other real contender after his victories in the Hennessy, Lexus Chase in Ireland and the Aon Chase at Newbury, is believed to be able to beat Kauto Star in the big race on Friday week. Denman won 12 of his 13 races and the odds for him winning the Gold Cup are 11-8. His jockey, Sam Thomas, hopes the Gold Cup will be Denman’s best performance ever.