The horse racing calendar is full of a long list great annual festivals, in the UK and around the World.
Here we attempt to pick out the best of the bunch:
The Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival in March is recognised as the premier jump racing festival in the world, and is therefore the primary target each year for jump racing trainers.
The festival's key race is the iconic the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which this year Presenting Percy is favourite at 5/1 with Ladbrokes, followed by Native River who is 13/2 with the same bookie, and with plenty of Cheltenham free bets available there's plenty of value to be had.
Each race is seen as representing the peak of their disciplines and won by a host of famous names over the years including Kauto Star and Desert Orchid.
Aside from the racing, Cheltenham really provides a festival atmosphere too. Drink your weight in Guinness or celebrate your winnings at the champagne bar, listen to a famous DJ in the Red Rum tent or watch pop-stars in the big marquee – Cheltenham is like the Glastonbury of the horse racing calendar.
The Aintree Grand National
While Cheltenham might be the biggest annual horse racing event, the Aintree Grand National is by far the most famous and represents the weekend in April when the majority of the mainstream British public become punters.
The Saturday's four-mile, 30 fence handicap steeplechase may be something of a lottery, with this 2019 favourite Tiger Roll best priced at 16/1 with Coral.
It is ran by a lower grade horse than is seen at Cheltenham, but the unique race still captures the public imagination like nothing else.
The Guineas Meeting
The Guineas Meeting takes place at Newmarket Racecourse on a weekend either in late April or early May and is headlined by the 2,000 Guineas Stakes on the festival's Saturday, followed by the 1,000 Guineas on the Sunday.
Both the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas represent one of British racing's five traditional flat-racing ‘Classics'.
The Epsom Derby Meeting
The Epsom Derby Meeting at Epson Downs Racecourse in Surrey on the first weekend of every June comprises another of flat-racing's Classics in ‘The Derby', which takes place on the festival's Saturday.
Too Darn Hot is currently favourite for the race, best priced at 11/4 with bet365, followed by Anthony Van Dyck who is as high as 16/1 with the same bookie.
The name has inspired many other famous horse races around the world, including the Kentucky Derby in the United States.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is the largest flat racing festival in Europe, attracting horses from around the world.
Held later in June at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, the meeting is highlighted by the The Ascot Gold Cup. Opened with a Royal procession and with royalty traditionally in attendance, the heritage of this particular festival is unique.
