Enthusiastic experts from the world of jump racing gave their top tips for the Cheltenham Festival at a special evening event in aid of St Richard’s Hospice earlier in the week.
Horse racing enthusiasts joined Dr Richard Newland, trainer of the 2015 Grand National winner Pineau De Re, and leading jockey Paddy Brennan, for an informative evening with dinner and networking at The Wood Norton Hotel and Restaurant near Evesham on Tuesday 7 March.
The pair were also joined by jockey Harry Skelton – who won at last year’s festival riding Superb Story – to form an expert panel who gave their views and predications ahead of this year’s festival.
More than 70 people attended the event, raising over £3,700 to allow the hospice to continue with its valuable work.
A silent auction as well as a match funded raffle from Lloyds Bank helped boost funds.
Alison Parkes, Senior Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice said, “We would like to thank all those who took part and came along to our preview evening; it was a fabulous opportunity for racing fans to gather some excellent insights into the forthcoming festival action! We are very grateful also to all those on the panel who gave their time for free to help raise funds for our hospice services.”
The event was sponsored by Gwillams Farm Shop.
The St Richard’s Cheltenham Gold Cup Lunch will be held at Worcester Racecourse on Friday 17 March, from 11am. Tickets are £35 per person and include a two course lunch. The event is sponsored by Stanford Marsh.
St Richard’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for patients living with life-limiting illnesses and supports their loved ones. Each year the hospice team supports over 2,500 patients and family members in Worcestershire.
The hospice strives to provide the best medical, practical, emotional and social support we can to help people live life to the fullest, as independently as they can, for as long as they can.
St Richard’s is an independent charity and is grateful for all donations to help it continue its work.
Photo caption: Members of the panel Paddy Brennan, Harry Skelton and Dr Richard Newland