Cheltenham Festival Preview Nights 2017

It is that time of the year again. The few weeks’ before the Cheltenham Festival tend to be very exciting as punters’ start placing hefty wagers on their ante post bets but it is also the time of year that the Cheltenham Preview Nights’ get underway. It is a chance for you to speak to the stars of the National Hunt game in person, hear their thoughts and they may well guide you to a winner, or a few. Whether it is Ireland or the UK, there are always top panel’s and we will list the best preview nights from each side of the water. We have Cheltenham festival tips on site so make sure you take a look. There are also full Cheltenham festival previews, along with trends and past results.

IRELAND

Tuesday 21st February, Sallynoggin Inn, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin (8pm)

A great night should be on the cards and it is also a worth cause as all monies made will go to Blackrock Hospice. The presenter will be Hugh Cahill, an Irish sports broadcaster and the panel will consist of top jockey Davy Russell, horse racing journalist Donn McClean, ex jockey Andrew McNamara, trainer of the talented Hidden Cyclone Shark Hanlon plus a Paddy Power representative.

Friday 3rd March, The Rathcormac Inn, Rathcormac, Co. Cork (7.30pm)

There are no Preview night’s scheduled for the West, North West or North of Ireland as far as we are aware but the South of Ireland has a couple and one of them is here in Rathcormac. CRY104fm presenter Patrick Mulcahy is the MC for the evening and Willie Mullins’ jockey Paul Townend will be the main attraction, who will give some insight into the Closutton runners. He will be accompanied by fellow jockey Jonathan Burke, Ciaran Fennessy and up and coming jumps’ trainer Joseph O’Brien.

Monday 6th March, Westgrove Hotel, Clane, Kildare (7.30pm)

The panel boasts Grade 1 winning jockeys Mark Walsh and Jonathan Burke as well as top amateur and multiple Cheltenham Festival winner Jamie Codd. Also included in the line up is Eddie Harty, trainer of Coney Island who looks likely to take his chance in the RSA Chase and who’s son and daughter work out of the Nicky Henderson yard. Entry for this preview evening is €15 which also includes a €5 free bet from Paddy Power. There will also be a raffle on the night with prizes such as a signed Ireland Players Soccer Jersey, signed and framed photo of DOUVAN, tickets for Punchestown, Naas & The Curragh, plus lots more. All proceeds from the preview evening go to the Kildare Down Syndrome Speech & Language services fund.

Wednesday 8th March, Dtwo Bar & Garden Club, Harcourt Street, Dublin (8.30pm)

The Panel: Sir Tony McCoy, Kevin O Ryan (MC) At The Races, Gary O Brien (Pundit) – At the Races “ Voice Of Ireland”, Joseph O’Brien – Ex Champion Flat Jockey, Current Horse Trainer and David Casey – Ex Jockey, Assistant trainer to Willie Mullins. Tickets cost €20 and all proceeds go to the Irish Heart Foundation. Doors open at 6pm and it promises to be a fantastic night for a great cause.

Wednesday 8th March, Westmanstown Sports & Conference Centre, Co. Dublin (8pm)

This Preview night should prove to be the most popular due to the panel on offer. Irish businessman and broadcaster Ivan Yeats is the MC for the night. Ruby Walsh will be there and he is sure to draw a crowd, especially with the on-going Willie Mullins controversies. He will be joined by fellow jockey’s Barry Geraghty and Davy Russell whilst Gordon Elliott will also be there for a star-studded line-up! Paddy Power himself will be there as will Dave Jennings from the Racing Post. Tickets for the event cost €20 and you get a €10 free bet with Paddy Power, a copy of the Cheltenham Preview Booklet from the Racing Post plus free finger food. A lucky person will also win a trip to the Cheltenham Gold Cup and all proceeds go to St. Francis Hospice, Blanchardstown. Ring (01) 8207888 to get your ticket.

UNITED KINGDOM

Thursday 2nd March, Chepstow Racecourse (7pm)

Sponsored by Coral, Simon Clare might have a few heckler’s in the crowd but it is shaping up to be a cracking night for horse racing fans. British champion jumps’ jockey Richard Johnson joins Britain’s champion jumps trainer Paul Nicholls on the panel. They will be joined by the best jockey around in Ruby Walsh and no event is dull when Jeremy Kyle is around, he will also be there. Sir Anthony McCoy will also join in via Facetime. The price is £25 and your ticket will include supper. All proceeds will go to Velindre Cancer Hospital and Racing Welfare.

Thursday 2nd March, The Walkabout, Temple Station, Temple Place, London (5pm)

This is the only preview night that Rich Ricci is down for as far as we can see so it is sure to be a popular night. With the news that Faugheen, Annie Power and Min are all out of the festival, he certainly won’t have too big a smile on his face. He will be joined by champion trainer Paul Nicholls and Paul Kealy of the Racing Post. If you are in the London area, or even if you aren’t, this is certainly a good night out. Mr Ricci still has some top quality horses’ to go to war with and he will be looking to get the fans back on side after the Vautour Gold Cup incident last season. Nick Luck is the host and it will be sponsored by BetBright. All proceeds will go to Oaksey House and tickets are just £5.80. Visit https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/betbright-cheltenham-preview-tickets-31595890158 for your tickets.

Wednesday 8th March, The City Sports Pub & Grill, 5 Minories, London (7pm)

CFI’s fourth annual Cheltenham Festival Preview Evening will be hosted by TalkSport’s Ian Abrahams who is joined by Betfair columnist and a regular on the panel Tony Calvin. This year’s guest include Adrian Heskin, a festival winner aboard Martello Tower in the 2015 Albert Bartlett, Timeform’s Rory Delargy and Liam Dye. Doors open at 6.15pm and tickets are priced at £25 which includes your first drink. There will also be a raffle with prizes including a morning on the gallops with top trainers such as Nicky Henderson, Colin Tizzard and Dan Skelton, 10x £50 free bets from Paddy Power, signed & framed silks and more. Please note that there is limited ticketing available and last year’s event sold out quickly. The preview night is in aid of charities; Injured Jockey’s Fund, Childs i Foundation and Ellenor.

Thursday 9th March, Holiday Inn, Kensington SW7 4DN, London (7.15pm)

If you are in the London area, then this is the show you want to go to. There are no jockey’s or trainer’s in the panel so how could it be informative? It may not be extremely informative but it will be absolutely nuts as the lunatic that is Matt Chapman (aka Yeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaa) will be in the house alongside the lovely Lydia Hislop of Racing UK and the chief handicapper Phil Smith. If you are there, please ask him why he gave Alary a mark of 162? Thanks. The price is £8 for members, £15 for non members and you can get your ticket at www.londonracingclub.org

Our horse racing results service is one of the fastest around. If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad you can download our free racing results and tips app and get notifications of how your horses do so you don’t have to keep checking!