Categories: Sports

SOUL OF SPORT: 280,000 people attended Cheltenham Festival last week with the iconic event bringing excitement, anguish and ecstasy to millions more – ANDY HOOPER captured all the drama, emotion and behind-the-scenes stories in pictures

  • Every Monday, our Soul of Sport series will take readers behind the scenes of the biggest sporting events.
  • Andy Hooper visited the iconic Cheltenham Racecourse for this year’s festival which took place last week.
  • His photographs capture all facets of the event and help tell the untold stories of the four days of the festival.

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Welcome back to the soul of sport. For our final episode of the series, ANDY HOOPER traveled to Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire for the iconic Cheltenham Festival which took place last week.

During the four-day event, around 280,000 people came to see the best horses, jockeys and trainers compete in 27 races, with the Glenfarclas Cross-County Chase abandoned due to heavy rain.

The excitement, anxiety and exhilaration of Cheltenham was felt by millions who watched from afar what is undoubtedly one of the greatest weeks in the British sporting calendar. At this year’s Festival, our man captured all the emotions, drama and intrigue using a Nikon Z9 and Z8 camera and 24-70mm, 70-200mm and 400mm lenses.

The iconic Cheltenham Festival ran from Tuesday to Friday last week, as plenty of drama and intrigue unfolded.

A photo of a race taking place at the Festival, with around 280,000 people attending Cheltenham over the four days

A long distance view showing the racecourse and the picturesque backdrop where it sits in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire

Heavy rain and wet conditions over the past week have made the environment relatively dangerous for horses and their jockeys.

Declan Lavery, who rode A Wave Of The Sea in the amateur jockeys’ handicap race, was left covered in mud after the race.

Horses gallop away during a race, more than 200 years after the first race at Cheltenham in 1815.

One fan is in the St. Patrick’s Day mood, with green taking center stage every year at Cheltenham on St. Patrick’s Thursday.

A punter reads the Racing Post one morning, perhaps looking for the best betting tips for the day of action ahead.

Coach Dan Shelton shows the joy of winning as he is lifted up by a colleague. Shelton trained four winners during the week

Fans get into the Cheltenham mood as they sip their pints of Guinness while wearing a horse mask and Paddy Power scarf

One fan dresses to impress by wearing an all-green suit, with his bold outfit complemented by sparkling gold shoes.

Legendary Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson (centre) celebrates the second of his race victories on Thursday afternoon.

Monmiral gave the co-owner a first ever victory at Cheltenham, before Protektorat, ridden by Harry Skelton (above), also won.

Ferguson is a long-time racing fan and owner and ultimately achieved his ambition as a two-time Festival winner.

Other supporters roar at the horses they backed while holding up their betting slips during an entertaining day of action.

Queen Camilla attracts public attention on the second day of the festival, dubbed Style Wednesday.

The parade ring at Cheltenham Racecourse has been in preparation for the past week, with 27 races having taken place throughout the festival.

Notable jockey Paul Townend celebrates after winning the Gold Cup on Galopin Des Champs, who defended his title

One fan wears some rather cheeky Paddy Power pants, with the Irish gaming company being one of the festival’s main funders.

A lady shows off her extravagant hat, also known as a fascinator, with hats being a key part of the Cheltenham Festival dress code.

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