Next week sees the pinnacle of the jump racing season with the four-day Cheltenham Festival and, locally, racegoers can get into the mood when Warwick hosts its traditional curtain raiser on Sunday in aid of the Air Ambulance Service, writes David Hucker. 

The day starts with a preview of the Festival in the Paddock Pavilion, with Grand National winning jockey Jason Maguire and racecourse ambassador and top trainer Dan Skelton returning to the panel.

As well as seven races, the themed day has entertainment for all the family with pony rides, stilts walkers, falcons, ferret racing, shire horses in the paddock and a live acoustic band.

With £18,000 in the kitty, the Six Nations Rugby At 188Bet Handicap Chase tops the racing bill and, with three miles and five furlongs to travel in testing ground, the race could be tailor-made for course winner Rigadin De Beauchene. Whilst not the force of old, he would run from an official rating of 123 on Sunday compared to his last winning mark of 127 when successful at Haydock Park in December 2015.

Another dropping back down the weights is Vice Et Vertu, who disappointed when favourite behind Muckle Rose here in December, but who would be at the right end of the handicap when every pound of lead in the saddle cloth will be counting at the end of what will be a stamina-sapping contest.

 “Warwick’s reputation as a strong proving ground for The Festival is well known across the industry and the Air Ambulance Countryside Day serves as a great warm-up to Cheltenham” said general manager Andre Klein

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Air Ambulance Service with this raceday for the second year and the charity has organised a fantastic Cheltenham preview which is proving to be hugely popular.

“We’ve developed a strong relationship with the charity and Izzy Cowper from our team will be running the London Marathon to raise funds for the organisation in April”.

Tracy Grunwell, Fundraising Manager for the Air Ambulance added: “Warwickshire & Northamptonshire Air Ambulance and Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance have attended more than 500 incidents involving horses over the last four years, so is a hugely important service for the equestrian world”.

A ticket to the Cheltenham preview with the expert panel costs £75 per person and includes prime racing viewing from a private marquee, drinks reception, a two course lunch and a tipster session. To book tickets, email tracy.grunwell@theairambulance.org.uk or call 07825 634103.

Gates open at 12.20pm, with the first race at 2.20pm and the last at 5.30pm. General admission is £15 if booked by midnight on March 11 and £20 on the day.