Alastair Down 'chuffed to bits' as Cheltenham press room is named after him - and he reveals his favourite moment from almost 50 years attending

Racing Post legend Alastair Down spoke of his delight and enthusiasm for Cheltenham as the racecourse's press room was officially named after him in a ceremony on Friday.

Colleagues from the Post and Channel 4 Racing joined leading figures from across the sport at the unveiling where racecourse boss Ian Renton praised Down as a "wordsmith" before unveiling a new plaque, photograph and sign above the door in Down's honour.

Down has attended every Cheltenham Festival since the age of 19, with some of his greatest work describing the action at his local track.

He was named Racing Writer of the Year at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) awards five times, making him the most successful journalist in the category, and was celebrated last year when given the President's Award for his contribution to racing journalism.

"It feels kind of surreal but it's a great honour and to be frank I'm chuffed to bits," Down said.

"It sounds bonkers but my Dad got me into this game. I still remember watching Nicolaus Silver, pale grey, winning the 1961 Grand National. I remember thinking this is easy this, the white one always wins!

Alastair Down and Cheltenham racecourse managing director Ian Renton Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"Mum and Dad would come here and come back with tales of all sorts and I wanted to come here as a kid after watching it on black and white TV. I came when I was 19 and the day will live in infamy."

Down thanked the Jockey Club and its head of strategic communications Joe Rendall for organising Friday's ceremony, which close friend Ted Walsh travelled over from Ireland to attend.

Down said the highlight, in nearly 50 years attending Cheltenham, was Dawn Run's history-making Gold Cup victory in 1986. She conquered the likes of Wayward Lad and Forgive 'n Forget to become the first to do the Champion Hurdle-Gold Cup double.

"In terms of spectacle, the best was Dawn Run's Gold Cup. It had everything and the eruption of emotion was just astounding. I've seen so many things that stir the soul.

"Overall, this is the most democratic venue in sport. Stick a duke next to a sanitary engineer and they'll get on well because they're doing the same thing: having a couple of quid here and there. The camaraderie of it is just astounding and the atmosphere, there's just nothing like it."

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Alastair Down's archives: the great writer recalls Coneygree's glorious victory in the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup 

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