Fairway to Furlong is delighted to announce that Grand National and Gold Cup winning jockey, Mick Fitzgerald, has agreed to be the face of this year’s Fairway to Furlong golf and racing series.

To celebrate this, Mick and Gina Bryce of At The Races were down at the Celtic Manor Resort in Wales, the venue for the Official Fairway to Furlong Cheltenham Festival Golf Day and 2010 Ryder Cup, at the crack of dawn for an exclusive photo shoot with the press.

Fairway to Furlong is sponsoring Gina as she attempts to win the St Patrick’s Derby Charity Race at the Cheltenham Festival. She will ride the David Pipe trained, On Khee, owned by Ross Marshall and Andrew Harding, raising money for the Seve Ballesteros Foundation, part of Cancer Research UK.

Mick Fitzgerald said “It was a lot of fun this morning and I am really pleased to be able to help the Seve Ballesteros Foundation. He was a great golfer and it is so important his brave fight with cancer continues to be an inspiration to others.

Gina Bryce with On Khee

The Fairway to Furlong events are always a lot of fun and I am looking forward to sitting on the final preview panel alongside David Pipe, Jason Maguire, Derek Thompson and Tony Calvin from series sponsors, Betfair.

“I must admit I’d love to be riding at Cheltenham but I fear that my thighs wouldn’t have attracted as much sponsorship as Gina’s have.”

On Khee’s trainer David Pipe joked: “Obviously this is a bit of a break from her daily routine but I am fairly sure she was delighted to swerve the early morning session on the gallops. She’s a lovely mare with decent form on the flat so hopefully she’ll give Gina a good chance in the St Patrick’s Derby at Cheltenham. Most importantly, all of us at Pond House hope she raises lots of money for Cancer Research UK.”

Gina said “I am really looking forward to taking part in the Charity Race at the Cheltenham Festival. I’m working hard to give the best possible account of myself but it is all good fun and for a very worthwhile cause. Thank you to Fairway to Furlong for sponsoring me, here’s hoping we find ourselves in the winner’s enclosure come March!”

Gina, Mick & On Khee at Celtic Manor

Ross Marshall, co-founder of Fairway to Furlong, lost his aunt to cancer in the same month that Seve died last year and feels a particular affinity with the charity. He said: “We are extremely grateful to Gina and Mick for supporting us in our efforts to raise money and helping to launch the Fairway to Furlong Series 2012. It is very kind of the Celtic Manor Resort to have us all down here and to tolerate a race horse on their first tee! Let’s hope it is all worth it and we raise some a significant amount for Cancer Research UK.

We all love our golf and racing so it seemed appropriate to pick the Seve Ballesteros Foundation as our chosen charity in memory of the great man.”

The 5* Celtic Manor Resort plays host to the 2012 Official Cheltenham Festival Golf Day. Home to the 2010 Ryder Cup, the golf courses are of the highest standard whilst the hospitality is second to none.

Guests can enjoy 18 holes of golf on either the Twenty Ten or Roman Road courses, goody bags courtesy of Cleveland Srixon, complimentary buggies and live VPAR scoring so you can follow your progress up the leader board.

While Gina and Mick were like pros in front of the camera, On Khee seemed more interested in the championship golf course at Celtic Manor…understandable really!

After a light lunch, guests are invited to a gala dinner where 5* food will follow a generous champagne reception. The preview panel will precede a charity auction in aid of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation before live music. Guests can then retire to enjoy a night in the luxurious 5* Celtic Manor hotel.

Well rested, guests can make their way to the club enclosure for Tuesday’s racing armed with knowledge and tips gleaned from the Fairway to Furlong panel of experts.

Packages to play golf on the Roman Road course and attend the gala dinner cost just £996 for a team of four. This does not include club enclosure tickets to the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival.

Those looking for the ‘Ryder Cup’ experience on the Twenty Ten course and tickets for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival can enjoy all that for just £2,000 per team.

All packages include an overnight stay at Celtic Manor.

The Resort Hotel & the Roman Road Course at Celtic Manor

For more information, or to book, call Rupert Hawksley on 020 7336 5423, email ruperth@fairwaytofurlong.com or visit www.fairwaytofurlong.com.

For more information on racing at Cheltenham visit www.cheltenham.co.uk.

For information on Wales golf holidays and other UK & Ireland golf breaks please visit www.yourgolftravel.com or call 0800 043 6644.

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