first time ever at the festival

I would say Club is not worth the extra £35 odd quid on Gold Cup day- it's absolutely rammed everywhere so you're best off saving your money and staying in Tatts imo.

You'll be hooked by 1.30pm Thursday.
Did my first festival in 1990 when Tatts was a beaten up wooden shac called the Bula stand, absolutely loved it, haven't missed a festival since.
Enjoy

I would deffo go club both days,better alround experience.get there by about
11.30 and soak up the atmosphere.ask anyone if you have any problems.the place will be  buzzing and you'll both be hooked!!

Can you access any of the main stand from Best Mate ?
I'd say pay the extra and make sure you visit the pre parade ring, winners enclosure, ****ss village, just get to as many places as you can - I get there 10.30 but then I have a hospitality marquis to go to.
There's a museum up by the parade ring, there's a bigger museum in the main grandstand that had a simulator a few years back, try riding the finish in the Gold Cup !
The whole hing will just get you buddy, guarantee when you get back you'll be booking off the 2012 festival before you book any other holidays

Betfair clearly doesn't like the black creamy Irish stuff !

thanks guys i'll try take it all in my stride in my head i'll get my mate matty hooked and the others will follow.
in fairness my mates are decent guys too. we are quite young for racing 22/23 but all lads up for the craic of racing rather then just boozing like so many our age.
Dont get me wrong we love a good session but not getting **** faced at chester barely watching the races.

GB / Chelt 17th Mar / World Hrd     Grands Crus at 17.5

so potential one winning bet at a huge price and with a name like sam winner (my first name is sam) i cant not back it :D

Go as many days as you can, go in club, visit the ring, watch a race form the lawn/rails bookies, watch a winner come into the winners enclosure after a big race and be certain to use the facilities early as the queues later can be too much.

Walk to the course, if going by train, much better than being stuck on a crowded bus. Arrive early, stop off in a few bars, enjoy the craic and the prices before you go into the course. Last year even the woman at the till in Boots asked me for a tip !
I went in to WH Smiths and asked the girl if they had the self help book for men with small penises, she said "Don't think it's in yet",I replied "That's the one."

sell yout tickets for gold cup day and go wednesday and thursday,gold cup day is horrible

walofs - IMO!

Get club tickets. Get there early as possible and soak it all up. Like said before Go for a piss early because otherwise you will spend half the day dying for a slash in a que. Go down and have a gui ness at the gu iness village. It's ussually the first thing I do before the racing as it's a great atmosphere before racing. I wouldn't have too many tho as you don't want to be half cooked when you need to be soaking it all in. Plus you will end up in the que again. Win or lose enjoy the best days of racing! Gold Cup day is hard work. If you want to get your bets on get them on early and if you are moving around in between races keep in mind it will be a mad rush before the first few races and if you want to stand in a certain place you will have to get there in plenty of time. Other days aren't as bad but Gold Cup day you get the pissheads and morons that get in the way basically so it's 10 x harder work to do everything.

A little advice as well, if like me you put all your bets on at the course, get there early and find a bookie who is happy to negotiate, if you bet reasonable sums tell him you want to have your bets now but you want him to offer some value.
He can tell you to p1ss off and you can have the same conversation with another 200 bookies or, more likely, he'll do you a deal.
I bet around £2k a day and I was getting board prices for half my selections and an extra point on the other half, I don't bother collecting any winnings until the following day (early) so avoid all queues for placing bets and colleting, if I spot a line of form later in the day and want another bet I use my phone.
If you don't ask you don't get - but remember if his board is showing 9/2 the chances are the horse can be backed at 5/1 in here, so asking for 5s isn't unreasonable and if he is worried about a big payout he can lay it off for level

sam, you are in for a treat - the festival is special. would endorse most of the above. ordinarily i'd say Club all the way but as others have said GC day can get bl**dy busy even in Club - so for a bit of comfort would suggest getting a Tatts badge combined with Gui***ss grandstand ticket that day - you have a covered seat for the day and a great view.

http://www.jpfestival.com/

take a look at this if yr staying over night loads of places to have drink,food,stay etc

Go and have a look at the trophies in the tent near the parade ring

I love to stand in my usual spot in club, just outside the dolden miller bar, same place yr in yr out, get this spot half an hour or so before the first with mates, family, and just watch the crowds pour out from the bars onto the lawn and into the stands. watch how full the lawn gets. It is a stagering sight. wonderful.

get the phone number for betfair, and have phone betting accounts to put some bets on, just saves time if you need the loo or fancy a drink. You cannot do it all within the 35 mins of each race.

How to enjoy the day.

Get yourself a big breakfast and a copy of the Racing Post each. You'll be a few quid in already that way as you won't have to pay the ludicrous prices for botulism in a bun they charge on course.

Over breakfast, argue and make cases for half-a-dozen horses per race. Convince yourself that a rank outsider is going to win the Festival Plate  (hey, it usually does; it's just a question of getting on the right rank outsider).

Continue arguing, debating and generally talking nonsense on the journey to the course. A few miles from Chelters, tune into Festival Radio. Nod sagely and agree when the pundits big up your selections. Shout in exasperation at 'them numpties on the radio' when they don't.

Park up away from the course. You should aim to arrive at about 11.15. That way you can get to the course in plenty of time, in order to fully appreciate the fun you are about to have.

Head up the gangway and touch the Arkle statue and feel the weight of history flow through your veins. Go to the Arkle Bar and feel the weight of the first Guiness flow through your guts.

Take a minute to look out over the course to Cleeve Hill. Then close your eyes and remember that view. Do it properly and you'll remeember it for the rest of the year, especially when peopple are rabbiting on about irrelevancies like Aintree and Royal Ascot.

Although you're with your mate, the absolute best thing is getting talking with other like minded souls. So forget any 'man on the London Underground' persna you might have and get stuck in with the chat to anyone else around the gaff (NB avaoid anyone who is pi$$ed, carrying a flag,wearing primary colour corduroy trousers or a 'funny' Guiness hat, for they are undoubtedly crushing bores).

Remember. The vibe is 'we're all 16 again, doing something vaguely illicit of which few outside our mmagic circle approve, on the wag from the rest of society'.

Betting? I'll leave that to you except to say there are no end of pseudo-sage well-meaning types who will tell you what is and isn't a mugs bet. Ignore them! For those two days you are about as 'free' as you are going to be all year and if you reckon you've sorted out a life-changing Goliath then go for it with every fibre in your being and pound in your pocket.

Cheer like a nutter if you win. Explain, using the logic of unmitigated bol0x, your defeats to anyone who'll listen after each race. Don't worry. Everyone understands your psychosis. We're all in the same boat and rational rules applying to them....the World....the 'Normals' don't apply here.

Soon it'll all be over and that's when the fun starts, because you've got something precious to discuss, hone, argue about and generally act the maggot over for the next 12 months. They're called memories and if you've executed the above correctly, it'll be like Christmas with the Devil and win, lose or draw you'll have a head full of them.

Remember. The vibe is 'we're all 16 again, doing something vaguely illicit of which few outside our mmagic circle approve, on the wag from the rest of society'.

Very well put. If you stay in Cheltenham all week I find this really comes home to roost on Saturday when you get up find that the rest of the world is exactly as it was when you left it at the start of the week. It is a surreal feeling.

Supersam, you are in for a treat!

A few practical suggestions:-

Leave your wallet and cards somewhere safe. Carry cash in your most secure pocket.

Don't bet if you are pissed though having a few is part of the experience.

Make your own mind up regarding selections. There is no such thing as a certainty at the Festival.

I often bet off course before racing - saves me from being swayed by the bollocks volunteered by all and sundry.

Don't be frightened to back more than one horse in a race.

You don't have to bet in every race. If you think 5 or 6 are capable of winning, then steer clear.

The real joy of Cheltenham though is its setting and atmosphere. If you really like horses, go to the parade ring. The quality will make you drool.

If you go into Club, then for one race at least cross to the inside of the track and get close to the action for a steeplechase. The noise of horses jumping a fence at speed and the jocks shouting/swearing at each other is a memorable experience.

Enjoy.

I really wished I hadn't read the last three posts, 18 days is too long, the blood is pumping now....

fantastic reply's guys its what gets me seeing away the days as i sit in retail banking checking results on my phone...

just dream of winning about the same amount of cash that sit's in the work safe!

which reminds me i guess the cash points are empty by day 2 on site if they have any?

Plenty of cashpoints -big queues tho!

Sam - there are about 200 cashpoints, all positioned between the grandstand and the course

rogerthebutler sums it up perfectly

your in for a real treat and you'll be back again...thats a 1.1 shot with no layers [;)]

^

I just can't wait

Make sure you get up early and go to bed late, sleeping is
for wimps. Enjoy every minute!!!!

Wish i was younger then id be going

However four days of wine, Woman song and Punting might just about finish me off

As every festival passes it takes longer to recover. Last year I struggled to work on Monday a full 3 days after I stopped drinking!

86 was a great week

Monday, had a runner at Yarmouth
Tues-Fri three day lads break in Gran Canaria
Sat- Newmarket for Dancing Braves 2000
Sun-Day trip to Longchamp for the french 1000

Mon-Stagger into work

I was about your age when I first started going Sam. We use to stop in Gloucester and then get the train over each day.
Make sure you don't drink too much during the day as the evenings are great fun.
Get your bets on early, watch at least one race from the middle of the track, and make sure you have a decent breakfast.
I'm sure you will have a great time.

What a way to go though Zilzal1[:D]

Do the complete oppisite to what everyone has said, just do what you want and when you want, you have no boss looking over your shoulder, so feel free, its your week[:D]

1) dont bet in every race .....that way you can have two or more selectiond in the handicaps
2)  have a go at the placepot ...hard to get up but if you do it'll probably be a afestival to remember
3) Stick to looking at the top trainers ....not too many smaller trainers win the races
4) enjoy every minute we wait all year for this week and it goes by so quickly

Supersam,

As one poster says do your own thing.

Here's my own tips anyhow:

- Get there early, by 11am if possible on the Thu and walk round the stands/enclosures whilst it's quiet.  GC Day too busy for this.
- Take a couple of mars bars in your jacket pockets for lunch!
- Have a pint or two or three before the first race, then ease off till late afternoon.
- Go to the See You Then Bar, it's close to the pre-parade and winners enclosure, there's also about 10 bookies about 30 yards away.
- Go to the Centaur after racing for a pint, let the crowds wander down into town in front of you.  Be amazed 2 hours after racing the amount of people still hanging about the racecourse - we were!!
- Do your main fancies BOG in the morning - do your smaller bets on course.
- And my best tip - Use the loos down the corporate entertaining area, from the pre-parade walk down the hill for about 200 yards, they are cleaner and less busy than the ones for the neds!

Enjoy it while your there it goes too quickly and remember its a whole year till the next one ...Stay In The Moment...

centre of the course, bit more room and a top atmosphere in the guiness tent, get in there early and look down the hill to believe what a climb it really is!

rogerthebutler,what a summing up,brilliantly put,cannot wait now,bring it on

Supersam most of what has already been said is the best advice you will get, but the things to focus on are:
You will know your capaability of your bladder, don't waste time in or queuing for the toilet have your last drink on course 30 mins before the first race.Remember after so many its a p iss per pint.
Know your bets before getting to the course, they are all trying there are no horses trying to get a good handicap mark for later on.Don't listen to idle gossip they most likely know as much as you.
Try to see as much as possible, the gold cup winner going into the winners enclosure on the Friday for example ( i will never the forget Best Mate going in after his 3rd win_)these are memories that can not be taken away from you.
Most of all enjoy yourself as you said you are in your early 20's, most of us on here have seen many Cheltenham
festivals you are just starting out. We were all in your shoes once, after this year you will join us in carrying o on the tradition to others, they say that horse racing doesn't appeal to the younger generation but obviously it does.
Watch out for pickpockets, you are not the only one to try to make some easy money. I say easy i don't mean it.
Enjoy the craic in the pubs after racing.
Also be pleased in backing a winner, but don't go overboard as tomorrow may be a different day.
As i said earlier enjoy, these are memories you will take to your grave and for Gods sake back a winner or three.

I forgot eat a good breakfast, none of this meusili s hit.

Been to every festival since 2000 .
My greatest memories include
- Istabraq's 3rd champion (2000).
- Brave inca winning the champion hudle ( 2005) -  still the loudest cheer i have ever witnessed there .
- Rooster booster running all over intersky ( 2003 ) 
- Barracouda being cajoled to victory by thierry doumen  from iris,s gift and  limestone lad  ( 2002 )
- waiting for the result of the bumper ( 2002 )  pizarro and rhinestone . Remember looking at the boards when betting opened for the stewards  - 4/7 rhinestone 5/4 pizarro --- it was nearly dark when the result came thru  ( went off at 5.40 then ).
- The sight of stormin norman HARD ON THE STEEL two out on BACK IN FRONT in the supreme  ( 2003 )
- the fastest horse i've ever seen come up the hill - WHATS UP BOYS ( 2000 CORAL CUP )
- Inglis drever ( number 8 ) nearly getting to fundamentalist in the sun alliance novice hurdle  --- just failed to get up .

sorry about the rant but i could go on forever .
THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH is the festival --

thanks lads tickets are here and iv got my bonus in my back pocket ready to burn! working tuesday and wednesday is a killer! still will be lunch in the bookies to catch a race or 3. :D

good luck to all and if anyone wants a pint of the black stuff just ask the young looking guy in ore of the big day.

I forgot, the best thing about the Cheltenham Festival.


There's another one next year.

Well worth a ttt

Bring a hip flask with some nice single malt in it. you will feel even more vindicated sipping away after your horse is led into the winners enclosure.

Some good advice...Whats the traffic like around the course at say 10.30? Any reccomendations for leaving the car near and walking in? Any places reccomended for that BIG breakfast?

Gambling

Traffic around town is murder from around 10.30-11.00am.
We drive in from the East (Winchcombe), if you drive down through Prestbury and along New Barn Lane (towards the course) there are farm fields that charge a fiver, you're 5 mins from the course, there are houses nearer who let out their driveway usually for a tenner, but coming from that direction is much better and it's a damn site easier getting away from the course after racing.
You'll be OK coming from this direction until around 11am, it gets a bit bunged up after 11am.
Do not turn right into the course main car park, police will be directing you inthere but go straight on, if you end up in the main car park it'll take you months to get out !
If you get caught up in the town centre you'll be sent on diversions and lose an hour.

many thanks, I will be travelling up from Newmarket so the fields sound a good bet as I am staying till the foxhunters only. Will it be a mare to get out after that race still?

Foxhunters is race 5 ?
You'll be fine getting out then
Enjoy !

many thanks horse9 so which would be the best way into the car park?