Why October to December is Big for Cheltenham

Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, England, taken from Cleeve Hill. The town of Cheltenham is seen beyond the racecourse. Photographed by Adrian Pingstone in June 2006 and placed in the public domain. Wikimedia Commons/CC.

Cheltenham Racecourse is widely regarded as the home of National Hunt Racing. While the Cheltenham Festival grabs most of the headlines, the season truly begins in earnest during the final months of the year. From October to December, Cheltenham hosts a series of prestigious meetings that shape the storylines, establish early-season form, and highlight the trainers, jockeys, and horses destined to make waves later in the campaign.

The October Showcase – The Season Opener

The excitement begins with The Showcase, held in late October. This two-day meeting marks Cheltenham’s first action of the season and gives fans an early look at returning Festival heroes and up-and-coming stars. The races are competitive, with many runners having their first outings after the summer break, and trainers use the event to test their horses’ fitness ahead of bigger targets.

Key contests include valuable handicap hurdles and chases, often used as stepping stones toward bigger Grade 1 events. For fans, it’s the first chance to feel the unique Chelsea atmosphere that will build steadily towards March.

November Meeting – A Three-Day Spectacle

The November Meeting, formerly known as the Open Meeting, is one of Cheltenham’s marquee events before Christmas. Spread across three days, it features races that attract top-quality fields and provide early clues for Festival betting.

The highlight is the Gold Cup, a fiercely competitive handicap chase that often produces future Festival winners. The Greatwood Hurdle, run on the Sunday, is another standout race, showcasing speedy hurdlers who can go on to compete at the highest level.

For trainers like Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, and Dan Skelton, the November meeting is an opportunity to lay down a marker. Jockeys such as Harry Cobden and Harry Skelton will aim to make their presence felt, with big wins here boosting confidence.

The December Gold Cup and Christmas Meeting

As December arrives, the quality continues with the Christmas Meeting. This two-day fixture is headlines with the December Gold Cup, another fiercely competitive handicap chase run over the same course and distance as the previous month’s Gold Cup. Horses that ran well in November often return for another crack, making it an intriguing contest for all involved.

Another highlight is the International Hurdle, a key trial for the Champion Hurdle at the Festival. Over the years, this race has produced stars that have gone on to bigger and better things.

Handicap chase. Photo by Carine06 from UK. Wikimedia Commons/CC.

Trainers, Jockeys, and Storylines

Between October and December, Cheltenham provides a stage for some of the sport’s biggest names to begin shaping their seasons. Trainers carefully plot campaigns, often bringing horses back at these meetings to test their form against quality opposition. Jockeys also know the importance of riding winners here, as it builds momentum and trust heading into the Festival.

This period is also a chance for fans and horse racing betting enthusiasts to take note of form, track performance, stable strength and more, all of which can influence proceedings for the months ahead.

Why It Matters

While the Cheltenham Festival may be the pinnacle, the groundwork is laid well before. The October to December meetings offer excitement in their own right, with competitive races, early-season storylines, and the chance to see stars emerge. They set the tone for the National Hunt season, reminding everyone that Cheltenham isn’t just about four days in the Spring.