Spilling the beans on who to watch at this year’s Cheltenham Festival, SoGlos chats to front man of ITV Racing, Ed Chamberlin, about who he’ll be betting on this year!
Meanwhile for even more racing festivities, Ed will be hosting WellChild’s exclusive Festival Focus event on Thursday 8 March 2018, packed full of racing insights, expert opinions and racing thrills.
Can you tell us about WellChild’s Festival Focus event?
Festival Focus is on Thursday 8 March 2018 and it’s going to be an evening of entertainment and a preview of Cheltenham Festival.
The panel will have a top trainer, a top jockey, and the Racing Post editor on it, and we’re going to hopefully go through the races at Cheltenham Festival and find lots of winners for the people who will be there.
Can you tell us about your work with WellChild?
I had been ill myself in hospital when I was having my chemotherapy and the thing that broke my heart was the children’s ward down the corridor. I just thought it was so cruel that children were having to be treated in hospital.
When I was there I caught up with WellChild and I loved the concept of what they were trying to do; to get kids back home and looked after by nurses who I think are absolute heroes and heroines.
I was really keen to get involved and they came up with the idea to have a golf day; we tried it and it’s taken off, it’s gone from strength to strength. I try to support WellChild whenever I can, I think what they do is fantastic!
Have you got any tips on who to watch at this year’s Cheltenham Festival?
It’s going to be so good… I think the best horse we’ll see all week is a horse called Samcro.
Another one I fancy is in the Cross Country race called Tiger Roll, he’s won at The Festival before and Gordon Elliot who trains him is an absolute genius.
What’s your favourite aspect of horse racing?
I love the horses, I love the passion of the people involved and I think what we’ve done on ITV is to show people that the guys that work hardest are the stable staff, the grooms, the people that get up so early in the morning on the coldest days to look after the horses – I love the passion they have for the sport.
Finally, will you be placing any bets for the Cheltenham Gold Cup this year?
Probably. It’s very difficult to come up with the story at the end of a race when you’re watching a horse that you’ve put a bet on further down the field.
I might not have a bet on the Gold Cup but every family member will be asking me who’s going to win the Gold Cup to which I’ll say, Might Bite.
To find out more, see Festival Focus at Cheltenham Ladies' College, call (01242) 530007, or visit wellchild.org.uk directly.
By Sophie Bird
