Listen Live

Cheltenham Festival 2020 gets underway

Tuesday, 10 March 2020 07:56

Despite the coronavirus outbreak, the 2020 Cheltenham Festival gets underway today. 

The Nicky Henderson-trained Epatante is set to go off as favourite in the day's feature - the Champion Hurdle. 

That's one of four grade ones, with the Supreme Novices' Hurdle getting the action underway at Prestbury Park. 

Rachael Blackmore will be onboard favourite Notebook in the Arkle. 

Race of the day could be the Mares' Hurdle for which Benie des Dieux will look to atone for last year's fall at the final hurdle.

Action gets underway at 1.30.

Officials at Cheltenham meanwhile have warned spectators to take extra precautions to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Over 200-thousand people will attend the festival over the next four days.

Course director Ian Renton says extra measures are in place to ensure racing goes off as planned. 

"We have a number of additional precautions, including hand sanitisers, beefing up the number of toilets and wash basins and ensuring we have enough soap and water available throughout the day.

"We've written to all our race goers asking them to follow the government guidelines."

 

Share

More from Sport