Queen Mother Champion Chase

Cheltenham National Hunt Festival

Wednesday 17th March 2010

Day Two at Cheltenham saw crowds welcomed to St Patrick’s Day at The Festival. Clients were welcomed into the facility in the heart of the Corporate Hospitality Village for another full day of corporate entertainment. The St Patrick’s celebrations were abundant throughout Cheltenham , from the river dancing in the parade ring, to the live music in the Guinness Village.

Experienced hostesses welcomed clients into the official facility at the start of the day. With champagne being served, John Francombe, the face of Channel 4 Racing and National Hunt Champion Jockey gave guests his insight into the day’s racing ahead. Guests listened intently to his recommendations on the runners and riders and noted it down on their race cards, before putting their money down at one of the tote stands within the facility.

Shortly after, guests savoured their four course luncheon in the comfort of the exclusive restaurant facility, located right in the heart of the hospitality village at Cheltenham. With the Guinness flowing freely at the open bar, clients made their way down to the rails to cheer their horses on to victory over the final furlong.

The first race was the National Hunt Chase, and Nina Walsh on Poker De Siviola grabbed the spoils in a great climax to the race, just edging out Becauseicouldntsee.
The atmosphere out on course was electric and the merriment of St Patrick’s Day had spread throughout the course. The adjacent Guinness Village was a hub of excitement, with live entertainment throughout the day.

Next up on track was the Neptune Novice Hurdle, where Quel Esprit was looking to make it three in a row in this contest. As was the trend for the week, the race didn’t go with form and with Quel Esprit falling at the second, it was left to the unbeaten 7-1 shot Peddlers Cross to romp home to victory.

Following a further round of drinks and betting in the facility, the RSA Steeple Chase swiftly followed on the racetrack. Weapons Amnesty was in very impressive form and won with plenty to spare after putting up an excellent round of jumping.
The entertainment in the restaurant went on, where clients could enjoy the first class hospitality on offer whilst relaxing in the comfort of the superbly located facility.

The biggest race of the day was the Queen Mother Champion Chase, where Master Minded was tipped for success with jockey Ruby Walsh following brilliant victories in previous years here. It wasn’t to be though, and he flagged badly in the home straight to hand 10-1 shot Big Zeb the Champion Chase win.

There were carefully selected fine wines and premiums beers available, as some guests preferred to enjoy the hospitality atmosphere and view the racing on the various plasma screens throughout the facility.

The Coral Cup was next on the billing, and Nicky Henderson’s Spirit River was given a fine ride by Barry Geraghty to run out an impressive winner. Geraghty, fresh from winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase on Big Zeb, settled early on just in behind the leaders, but moved up menacingly running down to the second-last.

Clients throughout the day had the freedom of the course; they could make the short walk down to the rails to join the huge crowds, or savour the action in style in their private hospitality facility.

Ruby Walsh romped home in the Fred Winter Novice Handicap Hurdle, meaning that Ruby had broken the record total of Cheltenham winners, previously held by Pat Taaffe. Walsh got an enormous applause from the grandstands, as Irish punters recognised their home favourite’s achievement.

The Champion Bumper was the final race of the day, where Cue Card defied the odds to spring a 40-1 surprise win. There was no fluke about the result and the winner travelled well throughout before kicking clear to beat Al Ferof with a decent distance in hand.

Clients made their way back to the hospitality suite following the last race to enjoy the rest of the day in style. Clients couldn’t have wished for a more ideally placed facility, and its prime location at Cheltenham means it is the closest facility in the Hospitality Village to the racetrack. As another day at the Cheltenham Festival drew to a close, corporate clients left in fine spirits having thoroughly enjoyed a tremendous day of corporate entertainment with Hospitalityfinder.

Why not join us next year and you could enjoy a fantastic day of thrilling racing and corporate entertainment with your guests at the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival, courtesy of Hospitalityfinder.

Click below to see our Official Corporate Hospitality Packages for the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival 2011