The Countryside Alliance is looking forward to welcoming members and supporters on Countryside Day at Cheltenham Racecourse on Friday, 15 November.

Countryside Day opens Cheltenham’s three-day November Festival and is one of the highlights of the National Hunt calendar for many of our supporters.

To enable those attending to make the most of their day, we have put together some useful information below:

• Gates open at 10.30am with the first race scheduled at 1.10pm. There are six races on the card including the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase at 2.55pm. The last race is at 4.05pm.
• Meet of hounds in the Parade Ring: beagles and foxhounds will meet at 11:00am along with a parade of hunt staff as part of the array of countryside activities taking place before racing starts. Please arrive in plenty of time to show your support for the hounds.
• Tipster: Grand National winning jockey and racing journalist, Marcus Armytage, will be going through the racecard in our Members’ Area at midday so come along and mark your card before racing starts.
• Charles Jardine, the founder of Fishing for Schools, will be giving a fly-fishing demonstration in the Parade Ring at 12:05pm
• Silent auction: The Countryside Alliance silent auction closes at 4pm on race day. There are some fantastic lots available with something for all country sports enthusiasts as well as a wide range of other unique lots ranging from handbags and holidays to garden design. You can visit the auction website online here or by visiting the silent auction marquee beside the Shopping Village on race day.
• Countryside Alliance members are welcome to visit the dedicated Countryside Alliance Members’ Area which is situated in Marquee 4 (next to the Shopping Village). This wonderful facility provides a great base for the day, offering an opportunity to study the race card in comfort, buy refreshments and take advantage of the betting facilities available inside the marquee. You can also meet members of the Alliance team who will be on hand to discuss our campaigning work.
• Author Felix Francis, son of the late novelist Dick Francis, will be signing his latest book, Syndicate, in our Members’ Area throughout the afternoon (time to be confirmed).
• Christmas cards and gifts: our latest Christmas cards, calendars and other gift ideas will be available to purchase at our trade stand located inside Marquee 3 in the Shopping Village.

Every year the Countryside Alliance partners with a nominated charity and this year we are delighted to be supporting Racing Welfare. Racing Welfare is a registered charity supporting the workforce of British horseracing, offering professional guidance and practical help to the stud, stable and racecourse staff whose dedication is vital for the well-being of racing.

We look forward to returning to Cheltenham on Friday 15 November for what promises to be another action-packed and wonderful Countryside Day.