Neil Phillips will be offering both wine and horse tips at this week’s Cheltenham Festival. Here he gives a sneak preview of what we can expect both on the race track and up in the hospitality boxes.
The man to follow this week at Cheltenham…The Wine Tipster, aka Neil Phillips
From a flutter on your favourite horse, the thundering of hooves to the finish line, to enjoying delicious food and wine in one of the many restaurants, there really is something for everyone to guarantee at the Cheltenham Festival this week.
The highlight of the Jump season is expected to attract 260,000 people over the next four days who will be able to enjoy 26 races in between trips to the bar and the chance to enjoy Cheltenham’s famous hospitality. It all kicks off today at 1.30pm featuring the Champion Hurdle with the blue riband race on Friday, The Cheltenham Gold Cup. The electric atmosphere at The Festival epitomises everything that is great about Jump racing.
In my role as the self appointed, The Wine Tipster, I have worked with Jockey Club Catering to compile a wine list to suit all palates and to match with the various dishes served around the racecourse.
You can celebrate with some bubbles in large formats at the Big Buck’s Champagne Bar, with Moët et Chandon, Veuve Cliquot, Krug and Dom Pérignon all on offer. Guinness will flow as well as gin from Greenalls. Also look out for ‘Best of British’ still and sparkling wines on the list.
Wine and horses
It must be hard to keep your eyes on the food at the Panoramic restaurant
Many racegoers will enjoy the hospitality available at the racecourse which includes The Panoramic Restaurant overlooking the winning post with specially selected wines such as Nyetimber Classic Cuvée NV, Château Léoube, Rosé de Léoube, Voltolino Gavi and Catena Appellation Vista Flores Malbec.
At Chez Roux, guests will be treated to exquisite food created by Albert Roux and Michel Roux Jr alongside their own label Côtes du Roussillon created with Michel Chapoutier. I will also be on hand to give my daily insight on the top runners and riders.
Cheltenham works with a wealth of local farmers and producers to source ingredients which often come straight from the field to the plate. The team create stunning dishes paying attention to seasonality, provenance and sustainability. Enjoy mouthwatering dishes such as poached lobster, rice vermicelli and cucumber salad with mango and red chilli as a starter or pot roasted Black Leg chicken, charred leek, salsify, game chips, Madeira and truffle jus.
Follow The Wine Tipster at Cheltenham
You can follow my Wine Tipsters predictions in my Racing Plus column and I will also be sharing a daily drinks related tip on The Buyer’s twitter feed at @TheBuyer11 and on my own Twitter and Instagram handle, @thewinetipster. So join me and let’s go racing…and dining.
Today’s Racing Tip
2.50 Cheltenham Ultima Handicap Chase
The first Handicap of The Festival can go to Tom George’s Singlefarmpayment, who you couldn’t have failed to be impressed by when he won at Cheltenham in December.
Today’s drink related tips
4.50 JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders´ Novices´ Chase
A Genie In A Bottle has some cracking credentials and is a relentless galloper.
Champers On Ice can certainly bring some sparkle to the day and will be staying on at the finish.
Key Cheltenham Facts
- 260,000 racegoers
- Over £600,000,000 will be bet
- Prize money of £3,670,000
- 240 private boxes
- 12 restaurants
- 34 temporary kitchens
- 42,000 Hospitality meals
- 5 tons of cheese consumed
- 5 tons of salmon consumed
- 100% of all our seafood is best of British, either landed at Orkney or Brixham
- 100% of our cheese used is produced within 50 miles of Cheltenham
- 100% of our salmon is cured or smoked within 50 miles (Severn and Wye & Coln Valley) and is 100% sustainable Scottish salmon.
