Cheltenham Festival
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Not started a thread like this for a few years now but find it enjoyable finding out a bit about my fellow Festival goers and the routines for those four days in March. Not long to go now so I will start the ball rolling. 41 year old postal worker from Cornwall, married with two children (10 and 7)and went to my first Festival in 1997. Immediately got the Cheltenham bug and have been every year since (bar Foot and Mouth year) I love the Tuesday and Wednesday of the Festival the way it is set up at the moment and have decided against going G Cup day anymore, just too many idiots drinking too much and shouting for horses to fall and stuff like that. Routine now is to leave Cornwall about 6.30am Tuesday and get to our digs at Churchdown (just off J11) at around 9.15. Our landlady has breakfast ready for us as we arrive (usually send her a text as we pass Bristol!) and she even drops us up into the town centre when we have finished. Mooch around in the bookies for 10 minutes before the walk up through Pitville Park and usually try to get to the course a good couple of hours before racing starts. Can't beat that feeling on the Tuesday when you first arrive at the course when none of your hopes and dreams for the meeting have yet been dashed. I like to bet with a clear mind so dont really have too much to drink until later in the day. The two mates I go with now are both work colleagues and I managed to talk them into coming around about 2003/4, somewhere around then anyway. They are obviously regulars now too and we usually have a dabble on the Placepot each and split the returns three ways. After racing on Tuesday we head back to the village where we stay (via the town centre) and have a few drinks and a meal in the pub there. I really enjoy the homework/form studying leading up to the Festival hence me reading this forum all the time and always try to get some sort of edge that might stand me in good stead. I order the Paul Jones Weatherbys Festival Betting Guide without fail every year and the arrival of that little gem on my doormat signals Festival Coundown officially starting! As for my punting, I very much bet to my means (that might explain all the effort to get an edge) and will punt £50 to £100 on my main fancies and look around for a bit of value, very often with the totepools, on the trickier handicaps. My big price winners over the years include Ilnamar, Creon, Hardy Eustace and I was on Une Artiste last year. Couldnt resist after having backed at 33/1 for the Triumph once I saw NJH had entered up for the Adonis Hurdle at Kempton. Favourite Festival horses would be Istabraq, Hardy Eustace, Azertyuiop, Best Mate, Barton to name just a few. Anyway back to the routine and Wednesday sees Morning Line at the digs before breakfast before heading up to the races via the town. Usually arrive back home in Cornwall around 10pm Wednesday evening and get together with friends on Thursday and Friday to watch the rest of the meeting on the TV. Look forward to reading about your Cheltenham routines and wish you all good luck for 12th-15th March 2013. Enjoy!
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Try to stop about 30/45mins away from Cheltenham (mate I go with drives so travel no bother) Long drive down from Cumbria so go down on the Monday, huge breakfast on Tuesday then onto the rugby club to park up and have a couple of pints whilst reading the Racing Post. Onto course about 12pm, like to have a wander around and especially like to have a look at the trophies, other racing displays etc.
Normally turn up at the course on the Tuesday with a pounding headeache from the night before.
Tell myself every year that I won't do it, but there you go
We never stay in Cheltenham; too chocker and expensive. We head down on the Monday and we're in Worcester this year; and this is the first year that none of us will be driving; about 9 of us on the train.
Have gone all four days twice, but we just do the Tuesday and Wednesday now. Get back home on Thursday afternoon, just in time for the Channel 4 racing music to start.
Happy days
Tell myself every year that I won't do it, but there you go
We never stay in Cheltenham; too chocker and expensive. We head down on the Monday and we're in Worcester this year; and this is the first year that none of us will be driving; about 9 of us on the train.
Have gone all four days twice, but we just do the Tuesday and Wednesday now. Get back home on Thursday afternoon, just in time for the Channel 4 racing music to start.
Happy days
I have no set routine, but I go every year now. Skipping Gold Cup day this year as it was far too busy last year. Really like Club on a Thursday less busy and that makes it really enjoyable.
I like Club on trials day, but I don't think it's worth almost twice the price of a Tatts ticket for the festival.
Maybe when I'm older and there's less of us, but between 9 of us over 2 days, we'd save £540 by going Tatts; that's a lot of beer money
Maybe when I'm older and there's less of us, but between 9 of us over 2 days, we'd save £540 by going Tatts; that's a lot of beer money
Going to be interesting this year as I'm banned from driving until June so all routines will be changed in light of having to find somewhere to stay in Cheltenham itself.
Didn't go last year, but before that i took advantage of 18-24 membership which was an absolute steal. 170 quid for a years membership what can i say. Used to get into Cheltenham bright and early taking advantage of Betfred's bacon baguettes (haha) while scouting out early morning prices and putting my multiple bets on. Would then take a walk from the town centre upto the course taking in the atmosphere, buy a ridiculously over priced timeform radio as standard. Take a seat on the balcony of the centaur, while having a good read of the racing post disagreeing with most of the pundits view's, will then put my permed placepot on hoping i can get further than the Supreme lol. Then off to the Guinness village for a few while pretending to be Irish listening to some folk Irish music. Head down to the pre parade to take a look at the Supreme contenders then from there I just make it up as i go a long really.
Funniest thing I ever read in the racing post was someone writing up the list of do's and don't at cheltenham and one of his was the best place to be just before the supreme is in the toilet lol.
Funniest thing I ever read in the racing post was someone writing up the list of do's and don't at cheltenham and one of his was the best place to be just before the supreme is in the toilet lol.
Only go Monday and Tuesday as feel best racing. Live in York so head down late afternoon monday and stay in holiday inn hied in chelt.
go out Monday night and get far more drunk than intended, especially as drinking beer and goose on way down. Del Boys breakfast in morning, bit of mingling in town before walking up about 2hrs before racing. Have a few in guinness village then positioned at top of standing area on tatts, outside the bar which is dead in line almost with winning post. May watch x County from the village but generally spend my time being on awe of the place and what we are witnessing. Three of us go and this is only our 3rd year but can't imagine a life without the festival to be honest. Entire year starts and stops around it. Go to York 5 or 6 times a year and whilst I feel it's a great track, it just does not compare
go out Monday night and get far more drunk than intended, especially as drinking beer and goose on way down. Del Boys breakfast in morning, bit of mingling in town before walking up about 2hrs before racing. Have a few in guinness village then positioned at top of standing area on tatts, outside the bar which is dead in line almost with winning post. May watch x County from the village but generally spend my time being on awe of the place and what we are witnessing. Three of us go and this is only our 3rd year but can't imagine a life without the festival to be honest. Entire year starts and stops around it. Go to York 5 or 6 times a year and whilst I feel it's a great track, it just does not compare
been going for about 7 years now. Travel down about 7am on Wednesday, getting to the Apple tree pub for breakfast for about 10.30. From there we visit the plough and the other 2 pubs nearer the track whose names i can't remember. Then walk to the course about an hour before racing.
We then repeat the process on the next 2 days, feeling gradually worse as the booze takes its toll.
we have stayed all over, near Gloucester last year and made the mistake of going out in Gloucester last year. DON'T go out in Gloucester as every other bugger goes to Chelters!
Found a cracking nightclub in Chelters 2 years ago... It was on about 5 levels and looked tiny from the road. Hopefully it is still there
We then repeat the process on the next 2 days, feeling gradually worse as the booze takes its toll.
we have stayed all over, near Gloucester last year and made the mistake of going out in Gloucester last year. DON'T go out in Gloucester as every other bugger goes to Chelters!
Found a cracking nightclub in Chelters 2 years ago... It was on about 5 levels and looked tiny from the road. Hopefully it is still there
Been going to just the Tuesday for the last 5-6 years, but decided last year to stay for Wednesday too. So that involved a 3 hour drive into Gloucester Monday afternoon, a beautiful dinner at Lumiere Monday night, a few beers with music in O'Neill's then last train back to Gloucester for bed ahead of the big day. The big day I imagine is like most peoples- have a leisurely, RP-accompanied breakfast and stroll to the course a couple of hours before racing for a beer, placepottery, and general enjoy being there, try to totally open up my consciousness to comprehend that it's Festival Tuesday. Everything will be the same again this year, except for staying in Cheltenham this time means, inevitably, more beers than would be sensible since we aren't restricted by train times.
From then on, antepost punts go downhill, on the day punts go a similar way, until the annual 'Quevega gets us out of a hole' ceremony. This year, we're heading home Tuesday night unless we have an unprecedented successful punting day in which case we'll stay for Wednesday too. Otherwise, one day is enough- I thoroughly enjoy watching the rest from the comfort of the lounge.
From then on, antepost punts go downhill, on the day punts go a similar way, until the annual 'Quevega gets us out of a hole' ceremony. This year, we're heading home Tuesday night unless we have an unprecedented successful punting day in which case we'll stay for Wednesday too. Otherwise, one day is enough- I thoroughly enjoy watching the rest from the comfort of the lounge.
I've been going since 1992, 41 now. Travel down with a few mates on Tuesday morning. Numbers have dropped in recent years, but there is still 4 or 5 who do all the 4 days with a couple arriving on the Thursday night.
Travel down from Manchester at 6 in the morning and park up at the prince of Wales stadium and walk into the town centre for breakfast and the bookies. We put a group place pot bet and a group lucky 15. Never wins!
For years we stayed in the car, until a mate and very good organiser found hotels in Gloucester and surrounding areas. we have stayed in Worcester for the last 3 years, couldn't do the nightclubs again. Spoils the next day. Few pints and a meal, watch the reds in Europe and have a bet on that. It's the best week of the year, so look forward to it like a kid Xmas.
We have had the Best mate season ticket over the last 3 years, which lets you in the VIP tent, no one in, you can get to the bar, tellies. Well worth it.
Walk over to the tatts after the 4th race. Would never pay tatty prices again
Travel down from Manchester at 6 in the morning and park up at the prince of Wales stadium and walk into the town centre for breakfast and the bookies. We put a group place pot bet and a group lucky 15. Never wins!
For years we stayed in the car, until a mate and very good organiser found hotels in Gloucester and surrounding areas. we have stayed in Worcester for the last 3 years, couldn't do the nightclubs again. Spoils the next day. Few pints and a meal, watch the reds in Europe and have a bet on that. It's the best week of the year, so look forward to it like a kid Xmas.
We have had the Best mate season ticket over the last 3 years, which lets you in the VIP tent, no one in, you can get to the bar, tellies. Well worth it.
Walk over to the tatts after the 4th race. Would never pay tatty prices again
This will only be my third time, 52 :-( so can't sustain mad binges, but tbh prob best to be relatively coherent, anyways first year we stayed in travelodge Birmingham which meant travelodge>station>packed train to chelt spa>walk to town>walk to course, this for me was way too much carry on esp returning at night too.
Next year we got B and B in Bishops Cleeve which is superb, travel down from Ayrshire on Monday get lift to B and B , get lift to course in morning after watching the morning line etc, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday in best mate, Thursday in tatts, tbh Friday was a nightmare with mad non racing fans drunk everywhere , anyway when we leave track each night we walk across the road and get a bus for two minutes to bishops Cleeve and go in the local pubs, no hassle and a bet on the footie, it's superb coming out the track and going the opposite way to the madding crowd, train home on say morning, circa £80 return for train this year.
Next year we got B and B in Bishops Cleeve which is superb, travel down from Ayrshire on Monday get lift to B and B , get lift to course in morning after watching the morning line etc, Tuesday Wednesday and Friday in best mate, Thursday in tatts, tbh Friday was a nightmare with mad non racing fans drunk everywhere , anyway when we leave track each night we walk across the road and get a bus for two minutes to bishops Cleeve and go in the local pubs, no hassle and a bet on the footie, it's superb coming out the track and going the opposite way to the madding crowd, train home on say morning, circa £80 return for train this year.
Went for first time in 2000. Didn't back a winner and ran out of money 2 races from the end but still reckoned it was about the greatest event I'd ever attended. Booked for the year after but got Foot & Mouthed and haven't made it back since despite meaning to for years.
Flying in Monday & staying in Worcester, which could also enable a Midlands National trip on the Saturday as don't fly back until Monday. Imagine routine will involve downloading RP the nite before, then Morning Line, breakfast, train on the day, with added bonus of 2nd NZ-ENG test on Sky Go each evening.
Flying in Monday & staying in Worcester, which could also enable a Midlands National trip on the Saturday as don't fly back until Monday. Imagine routine will involve downloading RP the nite before, then Morning Line, breakfast, train on the day, with added bonus of 2nd NZ-ENG test on Sky Go each evening.
me and the lads stay in bishop cleeve and have done for last ten yrs,its perfect as we can be on course and parked up in ten mins from leaving digs.
We travel down on monday and always say lets have an easy night.......then it turns into carnage.We have a good couple of hrs at a preview night with other mates we always meet up with and then its taylors,queens,oneils,subtone[or other rubbish hole]usually chucking a few quid away at a few birds to end the night.
Wake up,kill ourselves laughing over a massive breakfast with a bottle of champagne while watching the morningline,manage betting positions[most punting done already apart from any last minute madness]and head up to the appletree for a quick livener before cab to track.
Totally enjoy the racing that we have been studying for the last 6months.Wonder why we havent backed a winner!!
If anyone backs the winner of the supreme then they have to stand another bottle.
After racing its up to the appletree before quick change and into town and trying to cause ourselves mischief...
Bemoan the fact that cheltenham nightlife is appallingly useless and look forward to aintree.
Repeat for 2days and now swerve gold cup day for the reasons lads have already stated.
We travel down on monday and always say lets have an easy night.......then it turns into carnage.We have a good couple of hrs at a preview night with other mates we always meet up with and then its taylors,queens,oneils,subtone[or other rubbish hole]usually chucking a few quid away at a few birds to end the night.
Wake up,kill ourselves laughing over a massive breakfast with a bottle of champagne while watching the morningline,manage betting positions[most punting done already apart from any last minute madness]and head up to the appletree for a quick livener before cab to track.
Totally enjoy the racing that we have been studying for the last 6months.Wonder why we havent backed a winner!!
If anyone backs the winner of the supreme then they have to stand another bottle.
After racing its up to the appletree before quick change and into town and trying to cause ourselves mischief...
Bemoan the fact that cheltenham nightlife is appallingly useless and look forward to aintree.
Repeat for 2days and now swerve gold cup day for the reasons lads have already stated.
a few birds to end the night......
we're going to trials day at the end of Jan..... Do these chicken dippers just appear for the festival or are they there all year round?
we're going to trials day at the end of Jan..... Do these chicken dippers just appear for the festival or are they there all year round?
guess their there all the time somewhere....little side bar opposite h ills in town,or failing that just get a cab and ask....my feeling is that they migrate into town around march for the march of the walking wallets
cheers tweedle, i'll ask around when we go.
can't beat that appletree pub!
can't beat that appletree pub!
7 weeks tomoz caint wait it will drag i know but its gettin nearer,For the past 5 years me and about 20 of the lads age range 40 to 55 have been goin on tuesday just for the day.Love the tuesday best days racin IMO plus the feelin christmas has arrived.We leave the whitegate pub in manchester (actually comes under oldham just)at 8AM. Few beers on the coach and all the usual banter of a load of giddy blokes bein let out for the day.Get to cheltenham at about 11 been goin in this workin mens club cant even think what its called its about 20min walk from the course.Its a couple of quid to get in but they give u a ticket so we pop back in for a couple after the races. watch the races in the tatts just near that outside bar.We always have a kitty bet usually compiles of about 200/300 what ever is left over had it on captain chris in the arkle 2 yrs back happy days !after races back to the workin mens club for a bit of grub then on into the town.End up in a pub near the train station all irish music but a top laugh especially tryin to dance to it after bein on the keg for 15 hrs. leave cheltenham at midnight get back to manchester about 4AM Wednesday. Wait till wifes gone to work and kids to school then assess the damage to my wallet while drinking alka seltza watchin the mornin line. All day walloing in pain but well worth it !!
"7 weeks tomoz caint wait"
Is it only 7 weeks?! I hadn't counted.
I've already got my week off work booked
Is it only 7 weeks?! I hadn't counted.
I've already got my week off work booked
no, it's 9 weeks, he's getting carried away (understandably!)
sorry makybe diva my mistake its 9 not 7 weeks getting a bit to excited to early !!!!
hi all i am going to the festival on the wednesday for the first time tickets booked in the best mate enclosure. about 15 of us going i have heard there is no dress code is this true is it just smart casual? i cant wait!
you can turn up in the nude in the best mate stand and no one would mind.
My day is identical to eastayrshire's post above ^ but with an extra 20 lagers per day chucked in.
Been going since 1989 now and still get that buzz everytime.Stayed in many places over the years and whilst the convenience of staying in Cheltenham is good,the prices have gone bloody bonkers the last 6 years or so.I now am travelling down on the Monday to Bristol and staying there 3 nights.Up early Tuesday to get the train to Chelts and have a slow walk into town then up to the track for 10.30 gates opening time.Walking past pitville pump room means all the anticipation is nearly upon us and the adrenaline is at an alltime high.I love the Tuesday (my fav day and this year falls on my birthday) so a nice lil bonus for me.Get in the track and go sit on the steps at the winners enclosure reading the racecard and back over the RP again.Across to the Mill house/cottage rake bars for a guinness and sort through the days placepot perms.Once done wander across to the centaur to meet some friends for an hour or so (while they bet on every thing that moves on the coral screens!) then off i go nice n early to get my place for the supreme novice without some 7 footer getting in the way.Once racings under way wander around and go watch the cross country race down in front of the guinness village,only staying in the grand stand for my "main races".Go in the bar upstairs in the centaur after racing for a cheeky one and watch the days replays while most of the crowd disperse before heading off into town to visit the old haunts....taylors etc then back to Bristol for head down.Weds is similar depending on how successful the tuesday was and how the head is! not long now guys...
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