Five races to look forward to in 2019 With 2018 drawing to a close (where has the year gone?) the focus will soon turn to the main races in the 2019 horse racing calendar. In addition to the familiar jewels of the schedule at Cheltenham and Aintree, among others, here we pick out a top five of races to focus on in 2019: The Irish 1000 and Irish 2000 Guineas Irish racing is to undergo a significant broadcasting revamp in 2019 with TV coverage switching from At The Races (ATR) to the Racing UK Channel. That decision has been met with a mixed reaction to say the least with many racing fans concerned about how it will affect the exposure of Ireland's 26 racecourses, feeling that Irish racing may get lost beneath the coverage of British meetings once the switch is made. Then again, it's human nature for change to be met with some resistance, particularly by traditionalists. So rather than take objection, why not celebrate the chance for races from The Curragh to reach a new audience. The home of the Classics from Ireland's most prestigious flat racecourse is of course the site of the Irish 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas on the first weekend in May. If you like to bet on horse racing, all eyes will be on scorching early favourite Too Darn Hot for the 2,000 Guineas while Just Wonderful is a 12/1 tip for the Sunday's 1,000. The Irish Derby The Curragh has undergone a €65m redevelopment project in readiness for the 2019 flat season and a further revamp to the fixture list will see the Irish Derby Festivall move to a Thursday to Saturday date in late June. The highest rated three-year-old race in the world, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free in recent years, is again a must for your racing calendar. Cheltenham Gold Cup Cheltenham in March is always a staple of the UK racing calendar, but there's another reason why you should pay particular attention in 2019. The racecourse has been reunited with its original Gold Cup trophy, dating back almost a century, which will once again be presented to winners from next year onwards. The trophy was first awarded 94 years ago but in 1971 was secured by a private owner who kept it in a bank vault, before returning the trophy this year. That means the original will replace the current Gold Cup, which has been given to the winner of the steeplechase event since 1972. The Grand National April's Grand National at Aintree is the most valuable and arguably the most prestigious jump race in Europe. Last year's Irish winner, the Gordon Elliott trained Tiger Roll, has already been tipped for back-to-back success and is 20/1 with Ladbrokes to repeat his 2018 victory. The 2019 renewal will take place on Saturday 6th April.
