Cheltenham Festival 2012

The Cheltenham Festival is one of sport’s greatest extravaganzas and in 2012 the nation will once again be swept by horse racing fever as racing fanatics prepare to embark on an unrivalled path of excitement. 

The meeting will last for four days and the course can expect to welcome over 200,000 racegoers from all over the world and it is thought that more than £500 million will be gambled throughout the week.

Will Long Run be able to defend racing's most sought-after crown in the 2012 Gold Cup, or will there be another chasing superstar that can challenge the French import?  With Kauto Star now back to his best, it’d be no surprise to see him lower the colours of Nicky Henderson's sensational youngster.  

Will Hurricane Fly return to Prestbury Park and successfully make it back-to-back victories in the Champion Hurdle?   After his impressive return in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown he looks like he is in the form of his life approaching the meeting.

Can Big Buck's make it an unbelievable four World Hurdle victories in four unbeaten years?  The bookies certainly think that he will, but with Oscar Whisky set to take on the legendary stayer, it could be a harder race than ever before.

Will Sizing Europe prove he is one of the best chasers on the Cotswolds with a third consecutive victory at the Cheltenham Festival?  The Champion Chase favourite loves it around Cheltenham and there won’t be many looking to take on Henry de Bromhead’s stable star.

Will Sprinter Sacre continue to prove he is one of the most exciting chasers in jump racing history? Will Quevega return for another scintillating success in the Mares’ Hurdle?

While it is impossible to know what next year’s meeting will bring one thing is for certain: the action is sure to be explosive, exhilarating and thoroughly intriguing.