Giving Cheltenham a miss

H

harry

At the Start
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Apr 16, 2005
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Been every year since 1990 (Nortons Coin)

Need a break this time.

Driving from Cardiff does my head in every day, tried the train: absolute shite

Loved the Pipe years, (Martin)

So I haven't renewed my membership.....can do that for two years!!

Maybe a year off will make me want to go next time.

Anyone else stop going after a long time?
 
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If it's the Festival you're talking about, I used to go for all three days for donkeys' years during the 1980s. I haven't attended even a single day in recent years and I don't regret it at all. I book the four days off work and watch the racing with a few friends over several pints, first at a mate's house and then down the pub. Very enjoyable - no crush, best prices and a great view and you get to go for a pee at a time of your choosing.
 
I`m only 69 Harry, got another 20 years hopefully and I `ve been going since about 1964. Cant give up now. Hope to have a couple of winners this renewal anyway. Started going from Pontypridd and since travelled from Bristol,Wolverhampton,Henley, Spain and now Amersham as I have moved around . Reckon I know every back road into Mecca there is
 
Only been three times - generally when my strongest ante-post fancy has been running (successful twice from memory).

Far too busy generally and prefer the smaller meetings - the Friday of the Open meeting is a decent day. One thing in Cheltenham's favour for the Festival is that it's generally very well organised, at least in terms of logistics of getting people to and from the track - far better than the other meetings they hold in my experience.

Martin
 
My wife and I have been members for years and used to travel up from Cornwall for all the meetings . These days however we live about ten minutes from the course so a lot easier. Always go up to see the horses out on the track first thing, back home to collect the other half and out for a cooked breakfast en route to be back when the gates open. Then it's a choice of staying behind after racing knowing it won't take long to get home ( we usually go to a friend's home opposite the course for a cuppa whilst the car park clears )or getting out before the last couple of races and home in time to see them on Racing UK.
 
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I never get sick of going to the smaller courses, days out at Sedgefield, Hexham, Plumpton et al are much more enjoyable.

Festivals are for the TV.
 
The weather killed it for me last year too...
Stuck in centre course soaked behind a burger van on my "holiday" wasn't good.
 
First visit was for Flakey Dove's Champion Hurdle win in 94 and have been going all 3/4 days since 2000. I will only stop going when it is either financially or physically impossible for me to get there

I understand frustrations over travel (we arrive early and stay late). Why not consider a B&B near the course to avoid the hassle?

To combat the crowds, we pay extra for tatts grandstand seats. Expensive, but worth every penny
 
Worth going to the opening day of the Showcase this year, if only to say: "Crikey! They've demolished half the grandstand!!" You might even be able to see some action from the parade ring as a result.
 
I go to the Trials meeting every year with a big gang, wouldn't miss it. I take the festival week off and hit for the pub.
 
My first Gold Cup was The Fellows, didnt miss a Gold cup then til either Bets Mates third or Kicking King, my memory's a bit vague as I was well medicated by the end! I've not been since as I've not been well enough.

If I had been well I'd have gone to every single one. I always wanted to do all three/four days but I could never afford it even with and RCA badge from work, so I preferred to do one day well than 3 days badly!!

I'm hoping we might get to the festival next year, but the pay back has to be worth it!!

Niki xxx
 
My only problem is that when we stand watching the horses being unloaded [and coming back from the track] it only seems five minutes since we were doing it the year before. We always go on the Tuesday when it's a bit quieter. I always take the week off work to watch the rest of it on the telly but I'm retiring next week [hurrah]. Have always wanted to stay over one night just to see what Cheltenhams like that week [we went for the Mackeson one year and stayed in the Queens Hotel by accident [it's a long story]] and that was great, but don't think my pension will run to that now. There are so many moments that stick in my memory from being there and just thinking to myself 'I'm actually here in this moment witnessing this' eg Istabraq's third Champion Hurdle, and following Iris's Gift throughout his Stayers winning year [by accident not design].
 
rorydelargy said:
Worth going to the opening day of the Showcase this year, if only to say: "Crikey! They've demolished half the grandstand!!" You might even be able to see some action from the parade ring as a result.
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Thought they weren't planning to start until after the next Festival, Rory?
 
Went to the 2002 GC - became an annual member that autumn and have scarcely missed a day ( except the April meeting and hunter chase evening ) since.
 
Only went for Gold Cup day last season.

F*ck that for a game of soldiers. Never, ever again. Digs and flights already booked for Monday through Saturday of Festival week.
 
Troopers.

I only usually go for one day, typically the Tuesday because the first three races are immense as is the atmosphere. I now go to a local pub with my old man for the gold cup. Mentally busy GC day; I don't mind it but none of my mates do!!

Favourite days were Brave Inca's CH win and Imperial Commander winning the Ryanair. The latter was my biggest ever win the horses. Pretty sure Paddy Brennan thought I was a basket case!
 
Like Harry I've been going every year since around 1990 but only once for more than one day and won't do that again. One is enough

Always tues or weds for me
 
Tuesday is great because of the air of expectation, and it's great to be there to hear the roar of the crowd as the first race starts. I'm usually pretty lucky with my handicap selections on the first day as well [downhill all the way after that, though...]
 
I've missed the last 4 Festivals since moving to Sydney and I can safely say, outside family and friends, Cheltenham is the only thing I really miss. So much so I'm seriously contemplating moving back home!

Maybe missing the Open Meeting will reignite your passion before The Festival. Sometimes we don't realise just how important things are to us until they're taken away.
 
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An addition of sorts to The Open meeting this year is a NH Season Preview in the Centaur at the racecourse on the Thursday evening.
 
Diamond Geezer said:
An addition of sorts to The Open meeting this year is a NH Season Preview in the Centaur at the racecourse on the Thursday evening.
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A great idea.
Racecourses are trying to increase people through the gate and these preview evenings are likely the best way to go as they give folk a taste of the anticipation that more seasoned fans have once the evenings start closing in.
 
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