CHELTENHAM MEMBERSHIP QUESTION

Membership is a very good deal if you go to all the meetings, or if you plan to go into Club for all of the festival. The bonus for membership over club is the viewing from the terrace above the marquee. It does give you a good view, although you're down by the last fence. You can sort of see the paddock from a distance as well. The bar is still busy, but it is a useful area to have for just members. The toilets are directly beneath as well.

Though bring a clothes peg for your nose and some waders if you plan to use those toilets.

What Mal says is correct but that stand is not covered. Of course membership grants you the privilege to purchase seats in the grand-stand for between £70 and £95 per day during the festival and also on Sat of PP meeting. Other days seats are free.

thanks lads...is the tote terrace at the entrance to the club enclosure...is it next to the shute where the horses enter/exit the course ?

yes, the horsewalk from the paddock to the course runs along the side of the Tote terrace.

Just had an e-mail from the racecourse reminding me of my exclusive benefits as a member - reserved parking £75, unreserved £25, seats in the grandstand £75 per day, refuge in the member's marquee for some outrageous 3 figure sum and dining in a broom cupboard for an even more outrageous figure.

Truth is Cheltenham couldn't give a hee haw about annual members - never has done - who are worse treated than on any other course I know.

Don't forget the £100 fee to be able to buy membersdhip to be allowed to pay those fees. Or the extra fees for the facilities on Paddy Power Day, Trials Day, December Gold Cup Day, etc. Or the fact that the "members bar" is hell on earth if you can get in there.

After my earlier rant one might easily ask why I am a member? Answer is simple - to save money on entry though that is becoming increasingly marginal if I miss the Thursday and only attend 6 other days, which is my norm.