An evening at the Hunter Chase; Cheltenham Racecourse

If you ask people to associate something with Cheltenham, jumps racing and more specifically the annual Cheltenham Festival is sure to be high up on the list; unsurprisingly so. With a venue so large, and situated right on a hill overlooking the town, it's a pretty impressive sight for racing fans old & new.

But it's not just 4 days of races, betting and glamour in March that are on offer at Cheltenham's famous racecourse. From the pre-Festival events to the New Year’s Day racing, Cheltenham Racecourse has got it all covered.

The racing season at Cheltenham concludes with the annual Hunter Chase, an event that rounds off the season in a spectacular way. Every year it draws in a local-heavy crowd to the only evening event of the year and gives amateur jockeys the chance to take centre stage across seven highly contested races. The Hunter Chase offers race goers a chance to get a taste of the races but at their own pace & without the crowds of thousands that the Festival brings.

Although it's a quieter affair, it's still busy enough for the atmosphere to be exciting & sees people really getting caught up in the dramatic final moments of that climb to the finish line up the famous Cheltenham hill. Whilst a more casual affair, that doesn't mean you can't get the glad-rags out & get dressed up. From those in their best tweed suits to the fancy dress of stag & hen dos; there are some fashion statements being made across the venue.

It’s an event for all ages, from those still on toddler reigns struggling to get loose to the older generation who’ve spent their lives following the races. Plus with the Hunter Chase being an evening event, starting at 4.55pm with the last race at 8.25pm, it's perfect for a post-work outing for those who can’t usually take time off for the racing.

Being an event that's all about the amateur jockeys; anything can happen, and it does. We witnessed a 50/1 horse take first place in the Connolly's Red Mills Intermediate Point-to-point Championship Final Hunters' Chase! There were definitely some big winners this year - we weren't one of them, but we don’t think a £30 win from a £5 bet is a bad effort!

Really, what more could you want?

Being the end of the season at Cheltenham it’s certainly an excuse to celebrate. This year top radio DJs Jo Wiley and Huw Stephens entertained the crowds, old and young, late into the evening. The whole event feels like a real celebration of another year of top class racing in one of the UKs best venues.

Whilst the season may be over for now it’s never too early to start thinking about the next one. It all kicks off again on 26th October with The Showcase and then it’s all go from there with races every month in the lead up to the famous Cheltenham Festival.

If you’re looking to get a taste of what Cheltenham’s all about head down to next year’s New Year’s Day Event or Hunter Chase Evening – you’ll certainly want to come back for more.

Post written and supplied by Laura Brown and Dom Meason. You can reach them on Twitter @ljbrown26 and @dommeason or on Instagram @themicrocamper and @ljayne26