Horse Racing

2012/2013 Jumps Racing Season Preview

All the major flat racing for the 2012 season has been concluded so we will now be turning our attention to the 2012/2013 Jumps Racing season.

It is still a few weeks before the major jumps races begin so now is the perfect time for a rundown of the Jumps Racing season featuring all the major festivals and races.

The Open – Cheltenham Race Course – 16^th-18^th of November

The Open is a four day festival that is becoming increasingly popular. The feature race during this festival is the Paddy Power Gold Cup that is run over a distance of two miles and four and a half furlongs.

Betfair Chase – Haydock Park Racecourse – 23^rd and 24^th of November

The Betfair Chase is possibly the most difficult race of the entire jumps racing season. The race is run over three miles and features eighteen highly difficult fences. Recently retired Kauto Star has been the standout performer of the race in recent years.

Fighting Fifth Hurdle – Saturday 1^st of December

The fighting Fifth Hurdle is considered the first leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling. The race is named in honour of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.

Tingle Creek Meeting – Sandown Park Racecourse – Friday 7^th of December

The highlight of this meeting is the Tingle Creek Chase. This race is run over the fairly short distance of two miles with only thirteen fences.

William Hill Winter Festival – Kempton Park – 26^th and 27^th of December

This meeting is headlined by the King George VI Chase, which is one of the most prestigious races in the entire jumps racing season. The festival also features the Christmas Hurdle as well as the Desert Orchid Chase.

Victor Chandler Chase Meeting – Ascot Racecourse – Saturday 21^st of January

The Victor Chandler Chase Meeting is a relatively new race but has quickly become a prestigious race for older horses.

Betfair Ascot Chase Meeting- Ascot Racecourse – Saturday 16^th of February

This meeting is the key lead-up to the famous Cheltenham Festival. All the top jumps horses run in the Betfair Chase and generally it draws one of the strongest fields on the entire season.

The Cheltenham Festival – 12^th to 15^th of March

The four day festival is the most anticipated meeting of the entire jumps season. Major races are spread across the four days including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and World Hurdle.

Grand National Festival – 4^th to 6^th of April

The Grand National is the most famous race in the jumps racing season. The race always features big fields and is considered extremely dangerous for both horses and jockeys. Punters are hoping there isn’t a repeat of last year when a false start and death of two horses left a damper on the event.

Scottish Grand National Festival – Saturday 20^th April

The Scottish Grand National isn’t considered as difficult as the English version but is still a very tough and grueling race. Don’t expect the same horse to win both races in 2013.

Bet 365 Gold Cup – Saturday 27^th April

The Gold Cup is the final day of the jumps racing season and celebrates the achievements of champion horses, jockeys, trainers and owners.

You can bet on all the action throughout the 2012/2013 Jumps Racing season at Bet365.