Giving Cheltenham a miss

redhead said:
Thought they weren't planning to start until after the next Festival, Rory?
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That was the official line. I can assure you that a lot of brickwork has gone awol in the last few weeks. They started work a week or 2 after the hunter chase evening, in fact.
 
rorydelargy said:
That was also done last year, albeit on something of a trial basis.
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Yes I was there, the difference this year is that it is being held on the eve of The Open. Last year it was in October and primarily a Cheltenham and Three Counties Race Club event who used to hold these events in the Victory Club in town, before holding it in the Gold Cup room two years ego and it is obviously evolving into something bigger and hopefully better in conjunction with the racecourse.

Seem to remember you roaming the audience with the microphone last year Rory, are you on duty again this year ?
 
Have missed the last 2 Festival due to the same illness. That was after not missing a year since 2003 (when I was newly out of school and able to attend without getting in the way of exams). Not sure if I will be well enough to attend in 2014, but do know that not going is making me miss it and looking forward to the day I will be well enough to go again.
 
Diamond Geezer said:
Yes I was there, the difference this year is that it is being held on the eve of The Open. Last year it was in October and primarily a Cheltenham and Three Counties Race Club event who used to hold these events in the Victory Club in town, before holding it in the Gold Cup room two years ego and it is obviously evolving into something bigger and hopefully better in conjunction with the racecourse.

Seem to remember you roaming the audience with the microphone last year Rory, are you on duty again this year ?
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Don't think so, although I wasn't asked until quite late last year. I thought last year's event was the Sunday before the Open, btw, rather than October?
 
suerunner said:
Have missed the last 2 Festival due to the same illness. That was after not missing a year since 2003 (when I was newly out of school and able to attend without getting in the way of exams). Not sure if I will be well enough to attend in 2014, but do know that not going is making me miss it and looking forward to the day I will be well enough to go again.
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So sorry to hear that Sue. All best wishes to you. Fight on. We are all behind you and look forward to meeting you at the Festival when you are well again.

Denise
x
 
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Shiny and in the Bobs Worth colours Grassy, for those that don't know Cheltenham members' badges are always in the colours of the previous season's CGC winner.
 
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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Cheltenhambuildingwork_zpsbf2fe85c.jpg



Picture by Francis Keogh
 
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yep :lol:

Went in there once, got pics if you want to see them, like something out of the fifties, the QM didn't want it ever changed apparently.
 
I like the Royal Box at Newbury. Went in there once after a winner and managed to stay there for the rest of the afternoon supping. Excellent
 
Perpetual said:
Isn't that the Royal Box they've bulldozed?
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You might be thinking of Dodi Al Fayed, perp?

Too soon? Surely not. :ninja:

My membership gear arrived today. I can confirm the badge is shiny, but that the book of offers is as much use to me as an all-expenses-paid trip to Thirsk on a race-day.

Otherwise, all appears in order. Might try and make it down for the Trials meeting (what d'you reckon, Digger?).
 
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From Sky Sports

A temporary structure will be in place at Cheltenham this season as preparatory work begins on the new £45million grandstand.

Preparatory work on the new £45million grandstand to be built at Cheltenham Racecourse, which is due to open ahead of The 2016 Festival, is on schedule and will be completed ahead of the start of the 2013-2014 racing season.

When Cheltenham opens its doors on Friday October 18, racegoers will see a different landscape since the old A&R buildings have been removed over the summer. A total of two buildings have been brought down, including that which housed the Royal Box. They were situated between the main grandstand and the end of the permanent buildings by the horse walk onto the course.

From The Open onwards, which takes place in mid-November, a three-tiered, high-quality temporary structure will be built, housing a new Royal Box as well as hospitality boxes, bar facilities and steppings in front of the stand, providing enhanced viewing of the course. The structure will be similar to those which are seen at other major racing and sports events. The stand will be called the Arkle Stand, as The Festival in 2014 is the 50th anniversary of the Champion's first Gold Cup win.

The extra bar and viewing facilities will result in improved customer experience as neither facility was available previously.

The Tote Terrace, comprising of Tote facilities, the Lawn Bar, the Annual Members Bar and viewing facilities will remain in place until after The 2014 Festival.

In addition, the old numbers board, which was positioned next to the paddock, has been removed as part of the development works. This has allowed for the unsaddling enclosure to be enlarged, to accommodate large fields. A large screen will be positioned in place of the numbers board, which will be operational for all racedays.

Ian Renton, Regional Director of the South West region of Jockey Club Racecourses commented, "This is the start of a new era for Cheltenham Racecourse, with enabling work on the very exciting £45million development already complete. Following next year's Festival, the main project will begin which will provide much enhanced facilities for our racegoers by The 2016 Festival.

"The new Arkle Structure, which will be in place from the start of The Open, will provide new bar facilities on ground level together with tiered steppings overlooking the course, allowing for much enhanced viewing of the racing. Additionally, there remains some limited availability of hospitality boxes on the upper levels."

Racing at Cheltenham gets underway at The Showcase on Friday 18 and Saturday October 19. For further information about the development, please visit www.cheltenham.co.uk/about/new-stand-development/.
 
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