Our club’s annual Cheltenham Preview dinner took place at London’s Oxo Tower on March 5th.

It was another sell-out, with nearly 100 members and guests enjoying an evening of excellent food, fine wine and delightful banter.

Once again it surpassed expectations in the audience were several racehorse owners who between them had landed many of National Hunt’s greatest prizes, including Cheltenham’s Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup, plus two Grand Nationals.

Our compère, Racing TV’s star presenter, Nick Luck, delivered his customary polished performance, interviewing some of the diners with hopes and dreams of glory at the 2024 Festival, including Richard Thompson (Cheveley Park Stud) and Robert Waley-Cohen.

Our guest speaker was racing commentator and Carbine Club member, Richard Hoiles, who will be busy calling them home at Prestbury Park next week. He gave us a timely reminder of why racing is so special and the pressing need to protect its finances.

Finally, there was the event’s traditional “phantom call” on the Gold Cup from veteran broadcaster Jim “the Croc” McGrath. It was another masterpiece of artifice that concluded with hot favourite Galopin Des Champs retaining his crown.