Open Meeting 12-14 November

im going to both if that makes any difference? :)

Personally speaking i just go on Saturday for Open meet,so much more enjoyable than Festival 4 days which is hard work with the large crowds.

Its very good, i actually prefer the sunday, but nothing matches the 4 days in march..

Ive been going to this since 2002 and would highly recommend it. Great racing and a good buzz about the town

First day is Countryside Day, which basically boils down to the entire First Battalion Cotswold Chinless descending on the course and shouting mindlessly as the local Hunt parades a bunch of dogs the wrong way down the home straight. If you can cope with that, and you don't mind small field bovice races, the rest is fine, except that the Sunday card invariably seems to be run in pouring rain.

bovice = novice!

Thats a pretty cynical viewpoint in my opinion. I myself find the cotswold brigade to be highly amusing. You have a point about the weather which has been poor enough over the last few years but in November you have to be prepared for the worst

heAnorak     24 Sep 10 15:27 
First day is Countryside Day, which basically boils down to the entire First Battalion Cotswold Chinless descending on the course and shouting mindlessly as the local Hunt parades a bunch of dogs the wrong way down the home straight. If you can cope with that, and you don't mind small field bovice races, the rest is fine, except that the Sunday card invariably seems to be run in pouring rain.

Damn right anorak, although i have made money on a few fridays.  Sunday i think is a crackin card, prob the best of the 3 days - but lord god the weather has been horrendous the past few years there

TRAVIS  BEEN LAST 7 YEARS GREAT CRAIC 3 DAYS AN MORE ENJOYABLE WITHOUT HALF THE CROWD , PS THE FIRST 2 DAYS @AINTREE A MUST GET TO AND NEVER FORGOTTEN

Can`t miss the big meetings at Cheltenham. Sitting at home is no substitute. The whole event for me is about escapism. Stopping in the town and for a week eating,sleeping and living racing and not giving a toss about the outside world is fantastic.

I agree about Aintree. The Thu of the National meeting is one of the best kept secrets. By far the best of the meeting there but none of the hype of the Ladies day on Friday or National on Sat.

Tatts is something like £19 which must rank as the best value days racing in the country. Double prices for Ladies day despite the card being miles worse.

tim vaughan is sending baily storm to it. has he got any chance???

Definitely going to do it now I think.
Got one other definite and will try to get another one or two before the week.

Usually fly Dublin - Bristol/Birmingham but think might try driving this time, only 215 odd miles from Holyhead.

Head over Thursday afternoon and back on Sunday night.
Weather will be fine I'm sure!

Friday - packed with country types (as suggested above)
Saturday - bit less packed imo, cracking day's sport
Sunday - best day of the 3, quiet with races such as Greatwood and the 2m Novice chase to savour

You forgot the last race
BUMPER

Irish hoss lurking in wait
Sunday BEST

Definetly

i love the way you describe racing without the effect on your pocket,having backed 4 or 5 losers being 250 miles from home ,on a rainy sunday evening in darkest november,would be akin to getting a sneak preview of hell !

Ever the optimist, I expect it to be unseasonably warn in Cheltenham in November!
When you've braved Fairyhouse over xmas there really can't be anywhere that could be worse...

As for backing losers, Friday at the festival in 08 was the absolute worst day I've ever had... every other time I've been racing I've backed at least one winner but....

Refinement
Trafford Lad
Franchoek
Kauto Star
and considered backing Silver Jaro too in the last but was to depressed to waste money on a 50/1 shot!

Normally stay in a small village in or near Tewkesbury about 10 miles from the track, thinking it may be better this time to actually stay in the town. Anyone any ideas for rented accomodation?

Try socheltenham.co.uk and speak to Fay.

They charge about £130 per night for a double or twin room. The houses on their books are excellent. I have already booked up with them again for next year. Miles better than the hotels who in general have a ridiculous pricing structure.

£200 each gets you 3 nights in a lovely house most of which are within walking distance of the town centre and the track.

Cant wait for this meeting thats when you know the jumps has started going to the Saturday and Sunday never been to this meeting before driving down from Glasgow on the Saturday morning then driving home Sunday after the last race