The Cheltenham Gold Cup

(3.20pm, Friday March 13th)

Cheltenham Jazz Festival and the Morning Advertiser , “Officially the Pub Trade’s Favourite” (doesn’t say favourite what…) have announced a competition for pub bands with a deadline for applicants of March 31st.

The prize is “a chance to play at the Cheltenham Festival in May, and at the Pub in the Park event in Greenwich Park in September.” The three finalists will play in Cheltenham in the afternoon in the Budvar Marquee. There is no money involved, but I am assured the bands will get well looked after once they get to Cheltenham.

Here’s the announcement Cheltenham Jazz Festival’s website. And here it is on the Morning Advertiser’s website.

Last years winner was Fat Digester from Nottingham. who “fuse fun and social comment in a blend of Jazz, Funk, and Hip Hop.”

“All you have to do is submit a short sample track, not more than 10 minutes long, on a CD, along with the completed form. Alternatively, send in a link to a MySpace page or an MP3 via email to: jemma.price@cheltenhamfestivals.com”

Here is the ENTRY FORM.

The original Prize Fund in 1924 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup -above- was £685, and is now £450,000. Total prize money at this year’s (jump racing!) festival is £3.56m.