# Cheltenham New Year's Day 2027: Relkeel Hurdle Race Times & Guide _New Year's Day racing at Cheltenham, headed by the Relkeel Hurdle: date, race times, the Relkeel's recent winners and trends, and the raceday guide._ *Source: [https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/cheltenham-new-years-day/](https://stablebet.co.uk/racing-news/cheltenham-new-years-day/) ยท last updated 2026-10-09* # Cheltenham New Year's Day 2027 **New Year's Day** at Cheltenham is the course's first fixture of the calendar year, and its feature is the **Relkeel Hurdle**, a Grade 2 hurdle over an extended two and a half miles. The 2027 meeting is on **Friday 1 January 2027**. Racecards, off times and going are confirmed in the days before, and this page adds them as they are published. ## At a glance - **Course:** Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (the New Course) - **Feature race:** the Relkeel Hurdle, a Grade 2 hurdle over 2m 4f 56y - **Age:** 5yo+ - **Relkeel Hurdle first run:** 1988 Below: the 2027 details, the Relkeel's recent winners with the trends behind them, how to watch, and the day out. The [Cheltenham course guide](/uk-racecourses/cheltenham/) covers the track. ## 2027 race details # 2027 race details | Detail | Value | |---|---| | **Race date** | Friday 1 January 2027 | | **Off time** | TBA | | **Going** | TBA | | **Field size** | TBA | | **Distance** | 2m 4f 56y | | **Grade** | Grade 2 | | **Age** | 5yo+ | Final declarations are made two days before the race, and the off time and going above update once they are published. ### Where the race fits New Year's Day falls between Cheltenham's [December meeting](/uk-racecourses/cheltenham/) and [Festival Trials Day](/racing-news/cheltenham-trials-day/) at the end of January, the last big Cheltenham card before the Festival. Our [festivals and big races board](/festivals/) lists every big race coming up, soonest first. On race morning the [AI race predictor](/ai-race-predictor/) publishes its ratings and fair prices for every British race, the Relkeel Hurdle included. ## Recent winners and trends # Recent winners and trends ## The records # The records - **Its names:** the race began as the Sport of Kings Challenge, became the Lonesome Glory Hurdle and has carried Relkeel's name since 2000. - **Dual winner:** Oscar Whisky, in 2011 and 2012. ## How to watch and where to bet # How to watch and where to bet The television listing and the off time are confirmed in race week, when the declarations are out. This page shows the off time above as soon as it is published. Two things are worth checking before you bet: - **Free bets and their terms.** Check the minimum odds and the expiry before you claim. Our [free bet offers](/bookmakers/best-free-bet-offers/) page compares them. - **Best odds guaranteed.** Prices move once the going is known. A BOG bookmaker pays the starting price if it is bigger than the price you took. See our [best BOG bookmakers](/bookmakers/best-bog-bookmakers/). 18+. Bet only what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, [BeGambleAware](https://www.begambleaware.org/) offers free, confidential help. ## Raceday at Cheltenham on New Year's Day # Raceday at Cheltenham on New Year's Day New Year's Day at Cheltenham is a busy holiday fixture with a lively crowd. Book ahead and dress for a cold January afternoon on a hillside course. For getting there and the enclosures, read our [day out at Cheltenham](/uk-racecourses/cheltenham/cheltenham-day-out-guide/) guide, and the [Cheltenham betting guide](/uk-racecourses/cheltenham/cheltenham-betting-guide/) covers the course trends. Results go on this page within 24 hours of the race, and the full card's results are on our [racing results](/racing-results/) page the same evening. ## Frequently asked questions # Frequently asked questions ### When is New Year's Day racing at Cheltenham 2027? Friday 1 January 2027. Gates, first race and the full card are confirmed in the days before. ### What is the feature race on New Year's Day at Cheltenham? The Relkeel Hurdle, a Grade 2 hurdle over 2m 4f 56y. ### Who was Relkeel? A three-time winner of the Bula Hurdle at Cheltenham, the race now run on Trials Day as the International Hurdle. The New Year's Day race has carried his name since 2000.