THIS week is arguably the best of the year with the four magical days we are about to witness from the Cheltenham Festival.

Forget Christmas or summer holidays, it doesn’t get any better than this.

It is what National Hunt racing is all about, the be all and end all for horses, trainers, jockeys and racing fanatics.

Both the UCD & Trinity Horse Racing Societies will be going on excellent trips to Cheltenham. Trinity are doing a day trip to the Champion Hurdle for €100, with UCD there for three days of racing Tuesday to Thursday.

The nervous excitement in the build-up to Tuesday’s start will be replaced by jubilation or maybe post-Cheltenham blues by Friday evening with the realisation that it is over for another year.

Homes, offices, colleges and some schools will be captivated by the four days of racing and for some lucky ones they will be able to attend.

As we count down the final few days, it is impossible to avoid having the question ‘have you any tips for Cheltenham?’ drop into conversations even with non-racing fans. Enjoy it, Cheltenham is sure to provide us with memories that will never be forgotten.

LEOPARDSTOWN SPIN103.8

STUDENT RACEDAY

The annual Leopardstown Student Raceday in association with SPIN103.8 has become one of the most anticipated student events each year with a record crowd of 11,000 in 2014.

It takes place at Leopardstown on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 15th and this year it will be an ‘all ticket’ event.

Savour the racing action with your college friends in the Student Marquee and experience a full day of entertainment including horse racing, fashion, food and music from live band Toy Soldier after racing.

The event will also feature a Best Dressed Fashion Competition sponsored by Vero Moda and Jack & Jones with €1,000 in prizes to be won as well as goody bags up for grabs.

The inaugural Final Furlong Colleges Race will take place during the day in aid of a chosen charity which will bring a competitive edge to the day.

Ciaran Conroy, Commercial Manager added: “The student race day at Leopardstown is one of the best attended events on the student calendar with record numbers attending last year.

“The event this year is ‘all ticket’ so we advise students to pre-book their tickets early to avoid disappointment.”

Tickets can be purchased online at Leopardstown.com using your unique Student Union/College Society assigned code which will be available in all participating colleges.

Book early for discounted tickets for €8 as tickets are in a three-phase pricing strategy increasing to €12 and €15.

The tickets can be printed at home in advance to allow you to relax and enjoy a great day out at the races. For more information contact: info@leopardstown.com or the Leopardstown Student Raceday Facebook Page.

CORK REDFM STUDENT RACEDAY

Thursday, March 26th is the big day for students from UCC and CIT as Cork Racecourse holds its fourth annual Student Raceday. The seven race National Hunt card looks certain to be bigger and better than ever before with the after racing entertainment provided by Cork’s RedFM DJ Philip Bourke.

Cork Racecourse will run a free shuttle bus service to and from Mallow Train Station on the day. There will also be a best dressed competition sponsored by Fab Fillies. Admission tickets are on sale now and cost €10 through www.corkracecourse.ie.

The all-inclusive €15 admission, bus and racecard tickets sold out in CIT Students Union this week but for students of UCC are on sale on Tuesday, March 10th at 1.15pm in the Rock bar.

HRI 2015 STUDENT INTERNSHIP

PROGRAMME – FINAL CALL

The application deadline for the HRI 2015 Student Internship Programme is next Monday, March 9th. Placements run for 10-12 weeks during the summer and will be available in each of the four HRI racecourses: Fairyhouse, Navan, Leopardstown and Tipperary, as well as HRI headquarters.

To apply send an application form along with a CV and cover letter to Kate O’Sullivan, Marketing Department, Horse Racing Ireland, Ballymany, The Curragh, Co Kildare or emailed to kosullivan@hri.ie.

More information on the programme can be found at www.goracing.ie.