Protestor runs onto the track at Cheltenham Festival
Winner of the Ryanair Chase AP McCoy said he would have knocked the man out if he'd caused his horse to fall
Cheltenham racecourse is located at Prestbury Park, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and sits in 350 acres in the lee of the Cotswold hills. Most famous for its National Hunt (jumps) racing showcase, the Cheltenham Festival, held in early spring, the course also host a range of other meetings in the National Hunt calendar.
The racecourse underwent a £45m redevelopment in 2015, including a new five-and-a-half storey grandstand (pictured). It was unveiled to the public on Friday, 13 November 2015, with Princess Anne conducting the official opening the same day. As well as viewing and areas for owners and trainers and annual members, the new stand hosts two new bars.
Other improvements made to the course as part of the redevelopment work included a refurbished weighing room, a new first aid room and a new crescent walkway to assist racegoers’ mobility behind the grandstand and offer additional viewing of the parade ring.
As well as top class National Hunt racing, Cheltenham racecourse also hosts a range of other events from darts to a festival for comic fans.