A SPECIAL Cheltenham Festival preview evening featuring a panel of experts is due to take place at The Coniston Hotel, Coniston Cold, on Monday, March 4.

Cheltenham, the highlight of the jump season which includes the Gold Cup, will take place from March 12 to March 15, and follows severe disruption in the final preparation period due to the outbreak of equine flu, which saw racing being suspended for six days.

The Coniston event will be hosted by Jonathan Doidge, a freelance broadcaster and writer with the panel sharing their experiences and expertise, as well as top tips for the four day festival.

Making up the panel will be author, Mark Howard ; Michael Shinners of Skybet Racing; Warren Greatrex, trainer of more than 300 winners including at Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National and finally professional jockey, Harry Bannister, who is sponsored by The Coniston Hotel. Tickets for the event at 7pm on March 4 are £25, with supper. To book, telephone the hotel on 01756 748 080.