Cheltenham Festival: Capacity Capped

Grasshopper

Grasshopper

Senior Jockey
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Nov 14, 2006
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Cheltenham have announced a daily crowd limit of 68,500 for each day of the 2023 Festival, as a response to feedback from those who attended in March.

"We're well aware our facilities were stretched at 2022 numbers - and despite the financial implications of reducing attendance numbers (my emphasis) - we will be capping daily capacity at 68,500, in recognition of the importance of ensuring that the Festival remains an attractive and enjoyable experience."

The warm-up act to an extension to 5 days.
 
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Both of you are cynical, bitter and twisted. All that the good people on the Cheltenham team care about is the enjoyment and comfort of their patrons. Other wise why would they have so many Hi-Viz invigilators shouting SIRRRRRR!!! at the top of their voices when your big toe inadvertently crosses an (unpaid for) enclosure line?

Top class customer care with your enjoyment the only consideration.
 
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an capall said:
Both of you are cynical, bitter and twisted. All that the good people on the Cheltenham team care about is the enjoyment and comfort of their patrons. Other wise why would they have so many Hi-Viz invigilators shouting SIRRRRRR!!! at the top of their voices when your big toe inadvertently crosses an (unpaid for) enclosure line?

Top class customer care with your enjoyment the only consideration.
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:)

Reminds me of the day I went all the way down to Ascot to see Nashwan's King George*. Cost me and the brother £6 to go down to London by bus (a normal double-decker back then). The brother who lives in London drove us out to the course, we could only afford the plebs' enclosure and as they were parading for the race I was trying to scale the gate separating us from that area to get a better look when a snappy wee bastert in a black bowler grunted at me to get down. I obliged but gave him a withering scowl in reply, saying, 'I'm only trying to see the horses.'

(That was the day I strongly fancied Cacoethes for an upset and got a terrific run for my money. The other thing I remember from that day is that it was £1 for an orange juice in a glass not much bigger than a shot glass. That's probably a tenner in today's money - or £20 in next month's...)


*with apologies for mentioning a Flat race on a hallowed thread...
 
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Still haven’t got over paying £23 for a Diet Coke, a Doom Bar beer and a revolting glass of red wine out of a tap (I gather gin and tonic was £14!) Their emailed response was that they are in line with other sporting events. But funnily enough I was back there a week later for a concert and had a gin and tonic that was £6.
 
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There's a post on FB from someone who says they are a councillor I think saying the application for 5 days has been submitted.

Glass of Rose at Arsecot for KG day was £12. Bottle of cider and a vodka and coke was £14.90, and they tried to keep the bottle of cider with some left in it as they had overloaded the 'glass' with ice.
 
jinnyj said:
Still haven’t got over paying £23 for a Diet Coke, a Doom Bar beer and a revolting glass of red wine out of a tap (I gather gin and tonic was £14!) Their emailed response was that they are in line with other sporting events. But funnily enough I was back there a week later for a concert and had a gin and tonic that was £6.
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Think that was for a double, was the same at Epsom on Derby day
 
Just an excuse for day 5 as others have said. Though the Thursday and Friday were oppressively overcrowded this year .
 
In their defence I have actually stopped going on the Friday as a result of the cattle crush type experience, no comfort whatsoever.
 
Have already taken the decision not to renew my membership, and will instead be golfing with pals in Spain, and watching the races in a pub in the afternoon during Festival week.
 
To put it in perspective, the attendance figures this year were
Tuesday 68567 - very uncomfortable in Members even with fair weather.
Wednesday 64431 - rain making all sheltered areas overcrowded.

Reducing capacity to 68000 will make little or no difference and it will be absolutely not worth the price in Members.
 
archie said:
To put it in perspective, the attendance figures this year were
Tuesday 68567 - very uncomfortable in Members even with fair weather.
Wednesday 64431 - rain making all sheltered areas overcrowded.

Reducing capacity to 68000 will make little or no difference and it will be absolutely not worth the price in Members.
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Interesting you say that Archie, I was in Members everyday and felt it to be absolutely fine.....with the exception of the extremely wet Wednesday.
 
I went on the Thursday this year only because of BBB. Bought a ticket for £100 which I couldn't really afford but thought no way would Cheltenham give me a breeder's badge. They did, good job I was sitting down, but not allowed in the pre parade ring or the parade ring which I have to say I was extremely pissed off about. There were plenty of people in the parade ring all day who had absolutely nothing to do with any of the horses running and I wasn't allowed in there. Struggled to watch the race as was just too crowded even on a screen. When he came back in I ran to the wash down area and just thought sod it if anyone one tries to stop me I will let rip. Luckily no one cared by then. Aside from the price had already decided I wasn't going any other days as 2020 was too crowded for me and that was then. BBB on a slow come back with keeping everything crossed, but he wouldn't run there again as jock said he didn't like the course for one, and I would think they wouldn't risk him after this year. I don't plan to go again ever. Would have to be an exceptional reason to get me there and I can't see one happening.
 
edgt said:
Cheltenham are thinking seeking permission for a columbarium, a place of rest for urns/ashes.
Hold onto that membership Grasshopper, it may be required for inclusion.
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They'll presumably pack it with about 20% more urns than it was built for, Eddie!
 
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