Charity preview night at Cheltenham on eve of The Open

 Cheltenham Racecourse stages a Ladbrokes-sponsored charity preview evening, featuring five racing professionals, in aid of the Injured Jockeys Fund on Thursday, November 14, the day before The Open commences.

The panel, chaired by Richard Hoiles, includes seven-time champion Jump trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.

The quintet will discuss their hopes for The Open and expectations and potential dark horses for the Jump season ahead.

The preview will start at 7pm in the Centaur, with doors opening at 6pm.

Admission is free for Cheltenham Racecourse's annual members and tickets can be bought in advance (£6), from www.cheltenham.co.uk or by calling 0844 5793003, and on the door that night (£10).

The panel is as follows:

Richard Hoiles - Racecourse commentator since 1991. Presenter on the original Racing Channel and currently works for Racing UK and Channel 4 Racing.

Paul Nicholls - Former jump jockey. Has captured seven Jump trainers' championships and 33 races at The Festival, including four Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cups, since he started training in November, 1991.

Alice Plunkett - Former eventer and amateur jockey. One of the presenters of Channel 4's Jump racing coverage. Previously worked for the Racing Channel, At The Races and Racing UK.

Sam Twiston-Davies - Son of and stable jockey to leading Jump trainer Nigel, who is based in Gloucestershire, not far from Cheltenham Racecourse. Has enjoyed two Festival successes, headed by The New One's impressive performance in the 2013 Grade One Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.

Martin Kelly - Spent seven years working as a journalist for the Press Association, including four as chief racing correspondent. Now principally a presenter on At The Races.

Notes to Editors

The Open takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse on November 15 to 17.

The Open is a prestigious and historic three-day meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse and signals that the new Jump season is in full swing. There is record prize money of £743,000 in 2013, with the feature Paddy Power Gold Cup worth £160,000.

Staged on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 15, 16 & 17, The Open is the second highest-profile meeting at the Home of Jump Racing, after The Festival in March, and a major event in its own right.

The Open provides thrilling competition between many of the best Jump horses in Europe, with an attendance of around 70,000 over the three days.

It is an extended weekend of entertainment, sport and fun not to be missed, aided by trade stands in The Open shopping village. Please find more details about Cheltenham Racecourse at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces) and Facebook www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing.

About Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump Racing meeting, The Festival, which takes place in March every year. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural amphitheatre and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.

Cheltenham Racecourse is part of The Jockey Club, which has been at the heart of British racing for more than 260 years. Today the largest commercial group in the sport, The Jockey Club runs the largest racecourse group in the UK by turnover (2012: £142.1m), courses (15) including those at Aintree, Cheltenham, Epsom Downs and Newmarket, attendances (2012: 1.8m), total prize money (2012: £35.3m), contribution to prize money (2012: £16.5m) and quality racing (Group and Graded races); more than 3,000 acres of world-class training grounds in Newmarket and Lambourn; The National Stud breeding enterprise and education provider; and the charity for racing's people in need, Racing Welfare. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny The Jockey Club makes it puts back into British racing. More information is available at www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.