What price Cheltenham gets called off?

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Heythrop Hunt cancels meets due to horse virus outbreak

7:00pm Tuesday 5th February 2013 in News
THE Heythrop Hunt has cancelled its meets for at least a week after cases of equine herpes broke out in the area the hunt covers.

The virus, which can be life-threatening, has been found in four horses stabled at a yard near Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire, close to the hunt's headquarters in Chipping Norton. A number of members of the hunt keep horses at the yard.

Anyone who rode out with the Heythrop last week is being advised to isolate their horse, check its temperature morning and evening, and contact a vet if they suspect the animal could be infected.


Symptoms of the infection can include respiratory problems, coughing, nasal discharge, a raised or spiking temperature and lack of interest in food.

The infected horses are reported to be responding to treatment and vet Tom Campbell is trying to trace the source of the outbreak.

As a result of the situation, the Heythrop Pony Club has cancelled a number of showjumping and dressage events planned for the half-term break next week. For more details, see branches.pcuk.org/heythrop
 
Heythrop Hunt suspended over equine herpes

The Heythrop Hunt meets near Chipping Norton

The Chipping Norton-based Heythrop Hunt has halted rides after four horses at one yard tested positive for the potentially fatal virus.

Vet Tom Campbell said he was "fairly confident" the outbreak was under control. The hunt said the suspension was to "avoid further contamination".

Horse owners have been urged to contact a vet if they spot the symptoms of coughing and nasal discharge.

Mr Campbell said four horses at one yard were being treated after beginning to show symptoms on 29 January. Two are showing signs of improvement.

He added other yards around the Oxfordshire-Gloucestershire border have been tested but interim results have proved negative.

The virus can be transmitted through the air from respiratory infection or by close contact between horses. It can lead to neurological problems which can result in paralysis.

A statement from the Heythrop Hunt said: "Out of respect for all horse owners and those connected with the equestrian industry, we feel we need to act strongly in supporting the vets in our area in preventing the spread of equine herpes."
 
In the grand scheme of things this doesn't help either

From Gloucester Echo

Hikes in hotel prices during Cheltenham race week could risk putting people off visiting the town, a publican has warned.
More than 200,000 people flood into the town for the annual festival, which takes place next month, giving businesses a much-needed shot in the arm.
Hotels are usually packed throughout the week and many residents even give up their spare rooms to run bed and breakfasts to earn extra cash.
With accommodation at a premium, hotels ramp up their prices – sometimes by more than 300 per cent

But Jo Dimond-Brown, landlord of the Fiery Angel pub, in Hewlett Road, said hotels and other businesses were in danger of pushing racegoers too far. "People have had enough of being fleeced," he said.
"We're in real danger of putting people off coming to the town.
"I have always made a point of keeping my prices the same and we get the same people coming back to us year-on-year.
"But the same can't be said for the rest of the town, where hotels and bars seem intent on putting their prices up to make as much money as they can.
"It's gone too far and I have heard people saying they have had enough."
With this year's race week fast approaching, on March 12, hotels have already set out an aggressive pricing structure to maximise their earnings.
At the Hotel Du Vin in Parabola Road the cheapest available double room on the Friday of race week is £385 compared to £85 for this Friday – a hike of £300.
Meanwhile, at the Big Sleep Hotel, in Wellington Street, the equivalent booking goes up from £75 to £265.
Staff at both venues said their prices were consistent with the trend across the town and they had already had lots of bookings for race week.
Kat Rack from Hotel du Vin said: "We keep a close eye on the prices of hotel rooms in Cheltenham and our prices fluctuate accordingly.
"Whilst it may seem expensive during race week to some people, it is consistent with the rest of the town."
 
If the Festival were to be moved out of the UK to avoid the virus we'd fleece you even more over here.
 
I have been to the Festival twice.

And I am never going to go again.

Too crowded, too expensive, too difficult to get a bet on. Pints in plastic cups.

I much prefer to watch it on my couch or in the pub.

November meeting is more my bag.
 
I will personally shoot anyone with a double-barreled surname (or one that starts with "Ff") if this means the Festival gets called-off.

Bumpton-Trumpton b*stards. :mad:
 
I don`t see anyone offering a price on it being called off. Got my driver booked and will be in the Plough and leaning on the bar in the Mandarin as usual I expect
 
WW1 was started by a peasant in Sarajevo.

The eradication of the English upper class is is started by Grassy at Moreton in the Marsh.
 
Its the same as the virus that hit Victor Dartnalls yard I presume (he lost 7 horses I think). Some hunts did cancel round here but I don't recall any of the local race meetings having too.
 
Bar the Bull said:
I have been to the Festival twice.

And I am never going to go again.

Too crowded, too expensive, too difficult to get a bet on. Pints in plastic cups.

I much prefer to watch it on my couch or in the pub.

November meeting is more my bag.
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Depends which day you go to be fair... Tuesday is my favourite. I wouldn't want to do the 4 days though.

We go to the White Horse in a place called Stony Stratford (In Milton Keynes - anyone else from that neck of the woods?) for Gold Cup day. Easier to get a drink, big screen and a Corals directly opposite. Gold Cup day at the festival is mental.... Busiest race day i've ever been to.
 
Tout Seul said:
WW1 was started by a peasant in Sarajevo.

The eradication of the English upper class is is started by Grassy at Moreton in the Marsh.
Click to expand...

As coincidence would have it, I'm a complete peasant myself (as if anyone needed convincing). :whistle:
 
I hope latest remake of Animal Farm hasn't induced this hardship on us diehard racing fans...
 
I may or may not be a complete hypocrite. But is it easy to get from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham racecourse? I know there is a train/bus option, but is there anybody doing shuttle buses Cheltenham week?

Somebody may or may not have had their arm twisted in the last hour to do a day trip.
 
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Bar the Bull said:
I have been to the Festival twice.

And I am never going to go again.

Too crowded, too expensive, too difficult to get a bet on. Pints in plastic cups.

I much prefer to watch it on my couch or in the pub.

November meeting is more my bag.
Click to expand...

Last year I went to Sandown, Newbury, Aintree and York and enjoyed those days out more than my visit to the Festival. It's the best racing of the year but it's four days on the couch really.
 
We go to the White Horse in a place called Stony Stratford (In Milton Keynes - anyone else from that neck of the woods?) for Gold Cup day. Easier to get a drink, big screen and a Corals directly opposite.
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We are about 30 miles from there, in Hitchin, I know Stony Stratford as I have a friend who lives in MK and I worked in Bletchley for a short while.
I will be watching from the Anchor in Hitchin and coincidentally there is a Coral shop just across the road from there as well.
 
Bar the Bull said:
I may or may not be a complete hypocrite. But is it easy to get from Bristol Airport to Cheltenham racecourse? I know there is a train/bus option, but is there anybody doing shuttle buses Cheltenham week?

Somebody may or may not have had their arm twisted in the last hour to do a day trip.
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http://www.nationalexpress.com/wherewego/events/sporting-events/cheltenham-festival.aspx

http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/airport/bristol-airport.aspx

http://cheltenham.racingpost.com/guide/how-to-get-there/759945
 
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I go all 4 days, but only after paying extra for grandstand seats. Guaranteed great views, no problems getting to both parade & betting rings if you want, decent bar with minimal queues and a little food outlet. There’s only 2 tote booths which is not enough for all the moneyed ‘tweedies’ queuing to put on their £2 ew, but can live with that.

Without seats I’d probably only manage 2 days and would definitely avoid Gold Cup Day
 
I reckon Birmingham airport, which has a rail connection, is probably easier than Bristol, it certainly used to be. It's about 75 mins to Cheltenham and then into a shuttle bus up to the track.
 
Trains from Birmingham to Cheltenham usually very busy. Certainly wouldn't bank on getting a seat. Well I say usually, they were when I did it by train in 2005!
 
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We got a cab from/to Bristol airport when we were down for the Open meeting a couple of years back.

Can't remember the cost, as we were utterly wanchored.

Does this help?
 
Grasshopper said:
We got a cab from/to Bristol airport when we were down for the Open meeting a couple of years back.

Can't remember the cost, as we were utterly wanchored.

Does this help?
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I'm getting a lift from the airport this year.

Does this help? :blink:
 
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