RACING SINGS TOGETHER IN RELEASE OF CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SONG ‘DOWNTOWN’

Written by: Oisin Kearns on 6th February 2010

RACING SINGS TOGETHER IN RELEASE OF CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SONG 'DOWNTOWN' | read this item

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“CHELTENHAM” RELEASED TO THE NATION – MAKE THE CHARITY SINGLE “CHELTENHAM” NUMBER ONE FOR JUST 99P

RACING SINGS TOGETHER IN RELEASE OF CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SONG ‘DOWNTOWN’

In 1964, Petula Clarke took ‘Downtown’ to No 2 in the UK chart. Tony Hatch’s iconic song is now due to be released by the racing world 46 years later. Tony has written the first ever parody of the song, entitled ‘Cheltenham’ and given his seal of approval for its release on Monday 8th March, when racing fans nationwide will be able to help make the song Number One in the UK and Irish charts, ahead of the Festival. The single is for the sole benefit of The Riding for the Disabled Association, The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, Racing Welfare and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Ireland.

Tony Hatch commented: “I am very happy to support this venture because it is for charity, and having now heard the lead vocal I think it is excellent.”

Richard Gurney, who is the creator of the initiative and who went to Tony Hatch with his lyrics, said: “Tony has given racing an opportunity to reach a wider audience in the run up to the Cheltenham Festival, the single will raise funds for very good causes and perhaps best of all it will be fun and give everyone something to sing about.”

The single has two chorus tracks on it and they will be recorded in London and Dublin next week. Each chorus features a large number of familiar faces from the racing world including; Paul Nicholls, Andy Stewart, Bob Champion, Mike Cattermole Jeremy Kyle, Choc Thornton, Nicky Henderson, Venetia Williams, Paddy Brennan, John McCririck, Liam Treadwell and Mick Fitzgerald to name a few! Ireland will see the likes of Tracey Piggott, Jessie Harrington, Noel Meade, Edward O’Grady, Henry de Bromhead, Barry Geraghty, Tom Taffe, Paul Carberry, Charlie Swan, Davy Russell, Robert Power singing together, along with a host of others.

The revamped version of ‘Cheltenham’ will be downloadable from Monday 8th March for 99p from itunes and all other digital stores and as a physical CD on-line for £1.99p to include video footage of the recording in London and Dublin, from Amazon.com, play.com and HMV.co.uk.

Gurney concluded: “It is quite simple really, a lot of hard work has gone in to producing this song from a lot of people and in my opinion the Cheltenham crowd are the most knowledgeable and supportive crowd anywhere in sport, if they and the racing world support us, we will be Number One.”

For the latest news and action about the Festival song, join the ‘Official’ Cheltenham Song on Facebook or follow ‘Cheltenhamman’ on Twitter.

Topics: RACING SINGS TOGETHER IN RELEASE OF CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SONG 'DOWNTOWN'

valerie says:

February 19, 2010 at 18:09

great song
Cheltenham Punter says:

March 3, 2010 at 15:03

…The Cheltenham Festival is one of the highlights of not only the horse racing year but of the sporting calendar full stop so its great for a song like this to commemorate it.