Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/cheltenham-festival/lots-of-people-are-doing-it-and-you-can-understand-why-race-fans-plump-for-costa-del-cheltenham-over-the-festival-aBYzG7k3t6dR/
A video of holidaymakers watching the Cheltenham Festival on a big screen at a Benidorm hotel was viewed more than five million times on X
and offered a window into a growing phenomenon.
The festival remains a popular attraction, but attendances are down and some of those missing are deciding to trade the Cotswolds for the Costa del Sol and similar spots, viewing a trip to the continent as a cheaper, sunnier alternative to attending the four-day meeting.
In Spain there is a warm welcome for Cheltenham lovers. The Mad Ass, an Irish sports bar in Benalmadena between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, began promoting itself as a place to watch the festival in mid-February, while down the coast in Fuengirola Christy's Irish Gastropub screened all 27 races, from the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday to the Martin Pipe on Friday.
Steven Orme, a postman in his early 50s from Wigan, has attended the festival with a group of friends for 25 years but was not there this time, deciding to watch from Costa Adeje in Tenerife instead.
He flew out with two friends the day before the festival and paid £600 for flights and accommodation in a villa – the same figure he said he would spend on tickets alone for the four-day meeting.
Orme said: “It was really good and we've already said we're doing the same next year. We were there on Monday afternoon and we found a bar that would have the racing on. They had big tellies and we asked if we needed to book a table – they said no, just be here an hour before the first and you'll get one.
"That was us for the week. Every day we got a table, they had food on and we watched the racing and had a really good week. There were a lot of people watching the racing and I have friends who went to Benidorm and they said that was rammed. We got bets on okay, we had the sun and I had a few winners as well.
"The villa and the flights cost me about £600 last week and when we've been going to Cheltenham we've had seats in the grandstand and ended up paying about £800 for the four days' tickets. It's a bit of a no-brainer for us now. We're all jump racing fans and always will be but it got to the point where they were pricing it silly.
"That's why we made the decision to do something else. We gave it a go and we've all come back and said we'll be doing it again next year. In some ways that's a shame because I've had a lot of good years at Cheltenham and have some lifetime memories, but you wonder if you are getting value for money and I don't think you are any more at Cheltenham."
Lee Wilson and Jack Flaherty, two racing-mad neighbours and veteran racegoers from Surrey, flew out with nine friends the day before the festival bound for Benalmadena.
Wilson said: “It was a fantastic week. We’re talking about doing it again next year because it was far preferable to sit outside in the sun and watch the racing on the television.
“It’s getting quite popular and the bars were quite busy, almost to the point of you needing to get into them between 10.30am and 11am to secure a good table. We had a great spot in front of the screen, but another group tried getting in there 30 minutes before the racing started on Gold Cup day and that wasn’t happening.
“I would have preferred a few extra hours in the morning to have a look around and chill out a bit, but we couldn’t because everywhere was so popular. We were paying £3 for drinks and the prices were ridiculously good.”
The attendance across Cheltenham’s four days dropped by 11,000 and early prices have now been frozen for 2025, but Wilson believes that may be too late, particularly with falling field sizes and the dominance of Willie Mullins making many races uncompetitive.
He said: “I’ve been going 26 years now and I just can’t see how Cheltenham can reclaim the crowds. The attendance was down this year and the prices have driven a few people away, but it’s not just the attendance, I think the festival itself was quite underwhelming. In the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, five of the seven runners were Willie Mullins horses.
“If you ask me now about either going to the festival or going to Plumpton in May, I’d be picking the latter. The racing is competitive enough, you’ll get good weather and it’s easy access.”
Key account manager Rory Dowd used to travel to the festival from Ireland but this year decided to go to Tenerife with a group of friends. The 36-year-old said the cost of Cheltenham had become prohibitive.
He said: "I’ve been to the festival ten times and my grandfather went 40 times, but the cost is too high. We came over for Trials day in January and that was brilliant. The hotel we stayed in for two nights was €491 and the same hotel for the same number of nights during the festival was €2,194."
Dowd and his friends booked a table at McGuires Irish bar, which served lunch and a beer on arrival each day for €50.
"I’ve seen that lots of people are doing the same as us and you can understand why. I do still go to Cheltenham, just the lesser meetings like Trials day, and we already have our hotel booked for that next year.”
A video of holidaymakers watching the Cheltenham Festival on a big screen at a Benidorm hotel was viewed more than five million times on X
and offered a window into a growing phenomenon.
The festival remains a popular attraction, but attendances are down and some of those missing are deciding to trade the Cotswolds for the Costa del Sol and similar spots, viewing a trip to the continent as a cheaper, sunnier alternative to attending the four-day meeting.
In Spain there is a warm welcome for Cheltenham lovers. The Mad Ass, an Irish sports bar in Benalmadena between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, began promoting itself as a place to watch the festival in mid-February, while down the coast in Fuengirola Christy's Irish Gastropub screened all 27 races, from the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday to the Martin Pipe on Friday.
Steven Orme, a postman in his early 50s from Wigan, has attended the festival with a group of friends for 25 years but was not there this time, deciding to watch from Costa Adeje in Tenerife instead.
He flew out with two friends the day before the festival and paid £600 for flights and accommodation in a villa – the same figure he said he would spend on tickets alone for the four-day meeting.
Orme said: “It was really good and we've already said we're doing the same next year. We were there on Monday afternoon and we found a bar that would have the racing on. They had big tellies and we asked if we needed to book a table – they said no, just be here an hour before the first and you'll get one.
"That was us for the week. Every day we got a table, they had food on and we watched the racing and had a really good week. There were a lot of people watching the racing and I have friends who went to Benidorm and they said that was rammed. We got bets on okay, we had the sun and I had a few winners as well.
"The villa and the flights cost me about £600 last week and when we've been going to Cheltenham we've had seats in the grandstand and ended up paying about £800 for the four days' tickets. It's a bit of a no-brainer for us now. We're all jump racing fans and always will be but it got to the point where they were pricing it silly.
"That's why we made the decision to do something else. We gave it a go and we've all come back and said we'll be doing it again next year. In some ways that's a shame because I've had a lot of good years at Cheltenham and have some lifetime memories, but you wonder if you are getting value for money and I don't think you are any more at Cheltenham."
Lee Wilson and Jack Flaherty, two racing-mad neighbours and veteran racegoers from Surrey, flew out with nine friends the day before the festival bound for Benalmadena.
Wilson said: “It was a fantastic week. We’re talking about doing it again next year because it was far preferable to sit outside in the sun and watch the racing on the television.
“It’s getting quite popular and the bars were quite busy, almost to the point of you needing to get into them between 10.30am and 11am to secure a good table. We had a great spot in front of the screen, but another group tried getting in there 30 minutes before the racing started on Gold Cup day and that wasn’t happening.
“I would have preferred a few extra hours in the morning to have a look around and chill out a bit, but we couldn’t because everywhere was so popular. We were paying £3 for drinks and the prices were ridiculously good.”
The attendance across Cheltenham’s four days dropped by 11,000 and early prices have now been frozen for 2025, but Wilson believes that may be too late, particularly with falling field sizes and the dominance of Willie Mullins making many races uncompetitive.
He said: “I’ve been going 26 years now and I just can’t see how Cheltenham can reclaim the crowds. The attendance was down this year and the prices have driven a few people away, but it’s not just the attendance, I think the festival itself was quite underwhelming. In the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle, five of the seven runners were Willie Mullins horses.
“If you ask me now about either going to the festival or going to Plumpton in May, I’d be picking the latter. The racing is competitive enough, you’ll get good weather and it’s easy access.”
Key account manager Rory Dowd used to travel to the festival from Ireland but this year decided to go to Tenerife with a group of friends. The 36-year-old said the cost of Cheltenham had become prohibitive.
He said: "I’ve been to the festival ten times and my grandfather went 40 times, but the cost is too high. We came over for Trials day in January and that was brilliant. The hotel we stayed in for two nights was €491 and the same hotel for the same number of nights during the festival was €2,194."
Dowd and his friends booked a table at McGuires Irish bar, which served lunch and a beer on arrival each day for €50.
"I’ve seen that lots of people are doing the same as us and you can understand why. I do still go to Cheltenham, just the lesser meetings like Trials day, and we already have our hotel booked for that next year.”
Show More
But you do have to put up with all those half naked girls getting in the way of Alice Plunkett on the telly.
Starting to see quite a few now coming to Jersey as well..
Surely all the beach hotels in Spain are full of illegal immigrants like in the UK?
Hi jimnast. Hope you're well.
I don't mind a week somewhere warm. Just not Cheltenham week, and preferably playing golf during the day. Seems to me you could have all that over here (except the sun), but without time and costs of travelling and without any issues accessing betfair. I spend much of that week trying to get my head around the form - a holiday just seems like it would get in the way.
I don't mind a week somewhere warm. Just not Cheltenham week, and preferably playing golf during the day. Seems to me you could have all that over here (except the sun), but without time and costs of travelling and without any issues accessing betfair. I spend much of that week trying to get my head around the form - a holiday just seems like it would get in the way.
its a jolly boys outing theyve saved up for all yr,where did you have your stag do , IN YOUR KITCHEN ?
yeah they probably spend more on drink than anything else
Travelled to tenerife costa adeje this year for Cheltenham place was bouncing nice n warm had our own table every day with bookies their taking sterling and euros great atmosphere and lovely n warm and better still was the fact that it turned into a free holiday after having a cracking few days,certainly beats paying to go to chelt in cold weather and I will be doing the same next year with the mrs and a few friends and their partners
I went to Lloret De Mar on the Wednesday morning. 6 days, after 4 in London.
3 days watching ITVX in the afternoon, bets placed in London beforehand, but BF easily accessible (VPN). Warm weather, didn't wear a jacket once, decent hotel, a day in Barcelona and another in Girona. Loved it.
3 days watching ITVX in the afternoon, bets placed in London beforehand, but BF easily accessible (VPN). Warm weather, didn't wear a jacket once, decent hotel, a day in Barcelona and another in Girona. Loved it.
Railroader, I love Costa Adeje. If you don't mind, where exactly did you watch it? A hotel?
Loads of us use to go to Cheltenham every year, but the prices went through the roof, accommodation went through the roof,
Beer and food is a rip off. So we stopped and went to Fuengirola one year, 4 star full board Mon-Sat £217. Booze at 2 euro a pint.
We've been there and Tenerife ever since, so much cheaper than Cheltenham, easy to get a bet on,
And thousands will start to follow, Especially with the same trainer winning the same races, odds on favs, no competition unless its a handicap.
The greedy racecourse and the greedy hotel owners have shot themselves in the foot, and unless something drastic is done, it'll continue on a downward decline.
Beer and food is a rip off. So we stopped and went to Fuengirola one year, 4 star full board Mon-Sat £217. Booze at 2 euro a pint.
We've been there and Tenerife ever since, so much cheaper than Cheltenham, easy to get a bet on,
And thousands will start to follow, Especially with the same trainer winning the same races, odds on favs, no competition unless its a handicap.
The greedy racecourse and the greedy hotel owners have shot themselves in the foot, and unless something drastic is done, it'll continue on a downward decline.
Had the pleasure of running a Gold cup day here in Jersey at one of our leading Hotel/Restaurant. Great crowd, mixture of people from Wales, The Wirral South ondon plus a large table of app 35 scousers, Great food and plenty of drink above all fantastic atmosphere no aggro trouble whatsoever.
Mar 19, 2024 -- 5:08PM, dambuster wrote:
Loads of us use to go to Cheltenham every year, but the prices went through the roof, accommodation went through the roof,Beer and food is a rip off. So we stopped and went to Fuengirola one year, 4 star full board Mon-Sat £217. Booze at 2 euro a pint.We've been there and Tenerife ever since, so much cheaper than Cheltenham, easy to get a bet on,And thousands will start to follow, Especially with the same trainer winning the same races, odds on favs, no competition unless its a handicap.The greedy racecourse and the greedy hotel owners have shot themselves in the foot, and unless something drastic is done, it'll continue on a downward decline.
While I agree re prices I honestly don't believecthst its Willie Mullins or favourites have anything to do with it. If that's the case why go away to watch the very thing? It's purely the cost, nothing else.
Mar 19, 2024 -- 5:38PM, geoff m wrote:
all well and good but you cant get a bet on betfair.
Ya can through you're network provider and through WiFi if u use a vpn
As railroader says, vpn sorts it
This is the first year for a while I haven't been to Benidorm for Cheltenham week... Had some stuff to sort out here... Should be back out for next year hopefully
I've also got an independent bookie that I ring or text as back up to get my Placepots and multiples on if the vpn doesn't work
All my single race by race bets out there done with the bookie in the bar... Just have to be aware of limits if you're putting multiples on
This is the first year for a while I haven't been to Benidorm for Cheltenham week... Had some stuff to sort out here... Should be back out for next year hopefully
I've also got an independent bookie that I ring or text as back up to get my Placepots and multiples on if the vpn doesn't work
All my single race by race bets out there done with the bookie in the bar... Just have to be aware of limits if you're putting multiples on
Correct Reg. Arkle colours.
Anne Duchess Of Westminster
Anne Duchess Of Westminster
Harlequins bar in Las Americas long gone. proper spot for the racing, none of this old woman sitting taking bets, place had its own bookies office in the corner of the pub 
must've been very friendly with the chief of police 
must've been very friendly with the chief of police
, geoff m wrote:
all well and good but you cant get a bet on betfair.
Ya can through you're network provider and through WiFi if u use a vpn
Thanx for that Railroader but ive not a clue what you are on about. It cost me an arm & a leg with £600 down the swannee when Constitution Hill defected.
Took a laptop (dont do mobile phones) clicked on via local bar network & barred due to spanish regs.
all well and good but you cant get a bet on betfair.
Ya can through you're network provider and through WiFi if u use a vpn
Thanx for that Railroader but ive not a clue what you are on about. It cost me an arm & a leg with £600 down the swannee when Constitution Hill defected.
Took a laptop (dont do mobile phones) clicked on via local bar network & barred due to spanish regs.
vpn takes your location and makes it look like you're in a different location, which you can choose. eg Manchester.
works for most except 356.
using your phone (which you don't do) without the wifi switched on also works.
works for most except 356.
using your phone (which you don't do) without the wifi switched on also works.
Hulk... When you say using your phone without Wi-Fi switched on... You still have to use a vpn, don't you?
I'm not too tech savvy either
And are you saying 356 won't work even with a vpn? If so, why not?
I'm not too tech savvy either
And are you saying 356 won't work even with a vpn? If so, why not?
Jerseyboy
Never been to jersey could you please tell me what kind of weather to expect festival week and give me a few examples of cost ?
Never been to jersey could you please tell me what kind of weather to expect festival week and give me a few examples of cost ?
Ime well go ballistic hope you are two,I totally agree about it getting in the way of a holiday and said to the wife I couldn’t just do this for 4 days like most ,we had two weeks there so had plenty of time for other things,the hour later start is a big plus for the form work.
Hulk
Harlequins was around at the time of churchills ,the royal and Garfield’s it was much better in those days the books now have no personality or manners .
I see maquires got a mention in the post I watched a few races in there in January most of the time there’s entertainment on you can hardly see or hear anything.
Harlequins was around at the time of churchills ,the royal and Garfield’s it was much better in those days the books now have no personality or manners .
I see maquires got a mention in the post I watched a few races in there in January most of the time there’s entertainment on you can hardly see or hear anything.
reggie
no vpn required on phone as long as wifi is switched off. soon as you switch that on and connect to a network they'll know where you are.
356 won't work with a vpn, didn't last time i tried, on any of my 27 accounts. very unfair of denise
presume she can work out you're using a vpn and won't allow it.
no vpn required on phone as long as wifi is switched off. soon as you switch that on and connect to a network they'll know where you are.
356 won't work with a vpn, didn't last time i tried, on any of my 27 accounts. very unfair of denise
presume she can work out you're using a vpn and won't allow it.
Hulk I'm gonna try that next time I go, no need for Wi-Fi if I've got a mobile signal
Just use mobile data
I'll be out again next month, tend to go every 2 months for a week
Bit confused though... Are you saying even 365 will work if you've got WiFi switched off?
Thanks for your time and sorry if I'm being thick
Just use mobile data
I'll be out again next month, tend to go every 2 months for a week
Bit confused though... Are you saying even 365 will work if you've got WiFi switched off?
Thanks for your time and sorry if I'm being thick
Geoff/Reg
Download IP Vanish VPN, it works fine with BF in all European countries (and Asia). It costs several euros per month, but in your case, just use it while your abroad and cancel the subscription.
Download IP Vanish VPN, it works fine with BF in all European countries (and Asia). It costs several euros per month, but in your case, just use it while your abroad and cancel the subscription.
Yes, Reg. once logged in you can switch your WiFi back on. Will still work so long as your page doesn’t refresh. Never quite sure of the roaming costs abroad, even though you get a text when you land saying it won’t cost you any more, it always does!
I use TunnelBear, it’s free and works fine. Can never get on B365 with it though. Does that one, Andrew?
Cheers AIS, will do but awaiting Hibby reply to see if I even need a vpn if all I need to do is switch off WiFi
Had no problems in November in getting on here and 356 but in January I couldn't get on... But I had switched from Vodafone to Tesco mobile so thought that might have something to do with it? Sounds unlikely though reading on here
Had no problems in November in getting on here and 356 but in January I couldn't get on... But I had switched from Vodafone to Tesco mobile so thought that might have something to do with it? Sounds unlikely though reading on here
Kenbo, thanks
I'm on a fixed 10 quid a month with Tesco, buy a voucher in store, they can't charge me any more money such as roaming charges
I'm on a fixed 10 quid a month with Tesco, buy a voucher in store, they can't charge me any more money such as roaming charges
I’d guess that’s Pay As You Go, Reg, or possibly a SIM only deal? If PAYG your credit could run out quickly if roaming charges are applied.
s.kenbo
I use TunnelBear, it’s free and works fine. Can never get on B365 with it though. Does that one, Andrew?
I can't comment on B365 as i don't have any UK High St accounts, but BF definitely, never had an issue in any country.
Evening Jimnast, certainly in Indonesia and Singapore.
I use TunnelBear, it’s free and works fine. Can never get on B365 with it though. Does that one, Andrew?
I can't comment on B365 as i don't have any UK High St accounts, but BF definitely, never had an issue in any country.
Evening Jimnast, certainly in Indonesia and Singapore.
Kenbo, it's a sim deal, 20gb a month or so, I never get near my limit
AIS, someone said on here that the free vpn ones can steal your data?
I used mine in tel aviv no problem also got the racing post sporting life and timeform all technically betting sites,
Sorry AIS, I misread your post repeating about TunnelBear
Will report back next time I go
Will report back next time I go
I was in Spain last week. When I went on the bet 365 website it was a Spanish version that gave me all there current prices without logging in, that was handy as I new what the current prices were when I texted my mate with my bets.
the wifi/internet is garbage at chelt never mind in spain,your not guaranteed a signal at chelt when you want it
Jimnast Jersey weather similar to the south coast of UK, this year great weather for the 4 Cheltenham days, costs can vary as to accommodation booked, deals available on line. The event I was involved in cost per ticket was 60 pounds, this included running hot meal, sweet and the cost of providing large screens and sound systems and large screen TVs. Attendance limited to app 90 people, fantastic atmosphere especially when they all backed a winner, no aggro whatsoever.
Sludge We were at Corbiere Phare on the west coast app. 2 miles from the airport, there was also a smaller one at the Grand Hotel in St.Helier. A massive row took place there over a disputed bet on the 33/1 winner, happy days..
Very good point 1st time poster in fact o all jcr racecourses you can have problems with Wi-Fi .
Sounds good jersey nothing wrong with the cost either ,I’ve heard jersey is expensive but I tend to find these things exaggerated I’ve recently been to Stockholm and rejkavik and whilst not cheap certainty not over the top like people would have you believe.
Jimnast Yes it is expensive here, Housing very expensive, day to day food etc. yes expensive trouble everything has to be brought in therefore shipping and delivery costs etc.Always deals available on the various sites. Air fares expensive for a short trip. But a lovely place to live, sure it has problems like everywhere, but still safe to go anywhere and not get held at knife point. be lucky..
Wifi was hopeless for me last week at Cheltenham. But switch wireless off and 4g data was mostly fine, even on friday.
I've been thinking of stopping going in the last few years as I'm sure most regular festival-goers have. I haven't missed a day since 1995 and so that's a hard habit to break. We are lucky to have a friend who lives within walking distance of the course so don't have the ridiculous hotel costs - otherwise I think we'd have stopped going long ago. The first year back after covid was terrible as they packed in so many people to recoup the losses of the previous year that it was impossible to do anything. At least that hasn't been an issue in the last couple of years now that people are voting with their feet.
The biggest issue for me now is the state of NH racing and the racing at the festival itself. Another Mullins odds-on shot hosing up - yeah well done an' all but... Maybe Aintree is a better option these days
I've been thinking of stopping going in the last few years as I'm sure most regular festival-goers have. I haven't missed a day since 1995 and so that's a hard habit to break. We are lucky to have a friend who lives within walking distance of the course so don't have the ridiculous hotel costs - otherwise I think we'd have stopped going long ago. The first year back after covid was terrible as they packed in so many people to recoup the losses of the previous year that it was impossible to do anything. At least that hasn't been an issue in the last couple of years now that people are voting with their feet.
The biggest issue for me now is the state of NH racing and the racing at the festival itself. Another Mullins odds-on shot hosing up - yeah well done an' all but... Maybe Aintree is a better option these days
Aintree, full of p1ssed scousers, lots out of there heads on Charlie as well.
Give me an afternoon at a midweek meeting like Sandown any day of the week.
Give me an afternoon at a midweek meeting like Sandown any day of the week.
Up to the behind closed doors festival I had missed only 5 days since 1980 go ballistic,for a long time I wasn’t really enjoying gold cup day but the start of it for me was the covid year it’s my fault but I spent to much time on here and watching the news about the possibility of no festival it became an obsession ,I was unprepared for the meeting even when it started there were rumours each day the following day would be off.obviously the following year I watched it on tv didn’t particularly enjoy listening to the gravy train telling everyone how lucky they were to be there,in 2022 as you say it was just far to uncomfortable certainly Thursday and Friday ,a couple of months before the 2023 festival the hotel we used was given to the migrants so we had to find somewhere else it was eye watering what the hotels were asking so decided to stay in Worcester for two nights and go racing on the Tuesday only ,I realised before going it would probably be my last day at the festival,we were very kindly given a lift to the races by a forum member we bumped into at are hotel it was Smirnoff who sadly passed away later that year .after racing we went to the Royal Oak in prestbury and as happens in these cases got carried away and before we knew it ,it was almost midnight so no chance of getting a train,now a taxi to Worcester is roughly £40 yet we told £120 in the end we settled for £100 now that’s no fault of the racecourse but it the way the situation is in the area that week so that was the final straw.
Regarding the article in the post I don’t know how the dug up ex festival goers I’ll talk to anyone about horse racing for as long as they want ,now in Benidorm I never heard anyone speak about horse racing only betting whereas in Dublin in February everybody you speak to is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the sport that is where those who spent many very happy years at Cheltenham are now going.
We all know Dublin is expensive but there’s no difference in the prices that weekend than there would be tonight for two day ticket next year it’s 50 euro with that you get free parking free shuttle buses from tram stations the main railway station and naas town centre,at Cheltenham it’s £30 a day just to park the car then an extra score to be towed away.
After all that though I still loved the racing last week it’s a shame we’re going through a disappointing period with the champion chase but it will come back there was some great performances and loads to look forward to next season,finally I get pissed off hearing people in the game calling the Ryanair the 5 th championship race the sooner it’s no longer at the fixture the better.
Regarding the article in the post I don’t know how the dug up ex festival goers I’ll talk to anyone about horse racing for as long as they want ,now in Benidorm I never heard anyone speak about horse racing only betting whereas in Dublin in February everybody you speak to is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the sport that is where those who spent many very happy years at Cheltenham are now going.
We all know Dublin is expensive but there’s no difference in the prices that weekend than there would be tonight for two day ticket next year it’s 50 euro with that you get free parking free shuttle buses from tram stations the main railway station and naas town centre,at Cheltenham it’s £30 a day just to park the car then an extra score to be towed away.
After all that though I still loved the racing last week it’s a shame we’re going through a disappointing period with the champion chase but it will come back there was some great performances and loads to look forward to next season,finally I get pissed off hearing people in the game calling the Ryanair the 5 th championship race the sooner it’s no longer at the fixture the better.
I couldn't agree more about the Ryanair Chase jimnast - had to laugh when it was announced on the course as the feature race on Thursday. There are perfectly good Gd 1 20f chases at Ascot in Feb and Aintree in Apr. All the Gd 1 races at the festival should be over 2m or 3m imo but the Ryanair Chase goes hand-in-hand with propping up a 4-day festival so it's here to stay unfortunately.
I went to Dublin Festival in 2020 and it was certainly much more racegoer-friendly although surprisingly not that well attended that year (think it might have been the 1st or 2nd year of it being a 2-day meeting). In fact mention of Dublin makes me wonder what Cheltenham week would be like in Dublin?
I went to Dublin Festival in 2020 and it was certainly much more racegoer-friendly although surprisingly not that well attended that year (think it might have been the 1st or 2nd year of it being a 2-day meeting). In fact mention of Dublin makes me wonder what Cheltenham week would be like in Dublin?
Jimnast, where did you stay in Benidorm last week?
Did you use any bookies there?
Did you use any bookies there?
Go ballistic 2020 was the 3rd year of the fixture I will have been there but don’t know why it was not well attended,to be honest the Saturday has become to busy these last two years with so many from the uk travelling over .
Hello reg
There was a bookie at the marina hotel and over the road at the winning post I never used either ,we did spend the Saturday of the imperial cup in the winning post as it rained all day and to be fair it’s not messing about it’s a great set up.
I stayed at the Poseidon resort
There was a bookie at the marina hotel and over the road at the winning post I never used either ,we did spend the Saturday of the imperial cup in the winning post as it rained all day and to be fair it’s not messing about it’s a great set up.
I stayed at the Poseidon resort
I would never have believed that you would not attend the Festival jimnast knowing how much of an aficionado you are. Hoped I might bump into you and your good lady last Wednesday, my only day there now I no longer 'stand' there. See you during the summer perhaps ?
Cheers jimnast
I've stayed at many different hotels in Benidorm over the years including the Marina, but not the Poseidon
If it's where I think it is, it may be close to the Sandos Monaco hotel which is the one I usually stay at
The Winning Post is a decent place to watch the racing
Will you be returning there next year?
I've stayed at many different hotels in Benidorm over the years including the Marina, but not the Poseidon
If it's where I think it is, it may be close to the Sandos Monaco hotel which is the one I usually stay at
The Winning Post is a decent place to watch the racing
Will you be returning there next year?
Hello Democrat
If anyone had said to me 5 years ago I would miss the festival to go abroad I would have tapped them on the head and said behave yourself but times change.
You will definitely see me at the craven booked in for 3 nights.
If anyone had said to me 5 years ago I would miss the festival to go abroad I would have tapped them on the head and said behave yourself but times change.
You will definitely see me at the craven booked in for 3 nights.
Reg I would be 4/6 to go next year 1/5 to watch it abroad
Yes winning post do a proper job those in Tenerife play at it ,I do most of my winter punting at Dundalk can’t watch it on Friday night in Tenerife but no problem in the winning post and other bars.
Yes winning post do a proper job those in Tenerife play at it ,I do most of my winter punting at Dundalk can’t watch it on Friday night in Tenerife but no problem in the winning post and other bars.
Jimnast, I'm glad I don't bet with you... 4/6 and 1/5...nice overround!
Oddly enough, Friday nights at Dundalk is one of my favourite punting options...
The Placepots there can be very profitable as well
Oddly enough, Friday nights at Dundalk is one of my favourite punting options...
The Placepots there can be very profitable as well
And whoever announced it was the feature race of the day go ballistic should have been marched of the racecourse
I shall be a sightseer at the Craven jimnast. Probably one day only. Not my favourite meeting.
I’m sure to bump into you as there won’t be many there democrat certainly the first two days
Acey
Watched united and Liverpool sunday many fans from both teams banter but no trouble
Watched united and Liverpool sunday many fans from both teams banter but no trouble
Jimnast, only kidding
Did you come back before St Patrick's day on Sunday?
That's a big day/week build up in Benidorm
Did you come back before St Patrick's day on Sunday?
That's a big day/week build up in Benidorm
Reg was in Benidorm last week with group of mates been going for few years now sick of chelt prices, Getting on etc no problem as long as you use your own data and not Wi-Fi. like jimnast said winning post take decent bets and pay out fine, been to the DRF this year as well and have already booked for next year and will be going back to Benidorm as well.
Around a tenner cheaper than one day in the silver ring at Cheltenham 
Jimnast, Normally pay more for DRF and go upstairs keeps the women happy better seats and also get grandstand seat. Benidorm just a lads jolly.
Yes that’s what I normally do it’s a superb view from there although I still watch a couple of races down by the last.
https://www.thesun.ie/sport/12676195/cheltenham-fury-rip-off-prices/
We did Benidorm this year for the full Cheltenham Festival and further, seven nights flying from Leeds Bradford, seven nights half board in a 4 star hotel for £380. The weather was great, 2 pints for 3 euros daytime, what more could you want.
Every English orientated pub and even now many of the big Spanish Hotels all had big screens showing Cheltenham. The Winning Post pub/bookies was chocca, the British owned Spanish licensed bookies on Rincon was doing a roaring trade. Wonderful atmosphere all round and its getting better every year.
Its no wonder the English are going abroad to watch the big Festival.
Every English orientated pub and even now many of the big Spanish Hotels all had big screens showing Cheltenham. The Winning Post pub/bookies was chocca, the British owned Spanish licensed bookies on Rincon was doing a roaring trade. Wonderful atmosphere all round and its getting better every year.
Its no wonder the English are going abroad to watch the big Festival.
Oh, and a pint of Guinness in the Western Bar during racing was just Euros3.60
Jinxy
Totally agree, i did the same, but in Lloret De Mar. Nice hotel, good food, watch Cheltenham on TV (3 of the days) and 20c. No betting shop (at least not one i saw) but BF was accessible with a VPN. I want to do the same next year and i can imagine quite a few will.
Totally agree, i did the same, but in Lloret De Mar. Nice hotel, good food, watch Cheltenham on TV (3 of the days) and 20c. No betting shop (at least not one i saw) but BF was accessible with a VPN. I want to do the same next year and i can imagine quite a few will.
Andrew, you can access Betfair Echange UK without the use of a vpn as long as you turn off your Wifi and use your data from your existing GB plan (not a local plan).
Jinxy, not that long ago he thought it was a VPM when full of Munich bull and DLR porkies, only the other day claiming he could confirm VPNs work from Asia.
How does that work when he has not been anywhere near etc?
Believe what you want to but do not be misled by obvious lies and fantasy on here!!
How does that work when he has not been anywhere near etc?
Believe what you want to but do not be misled by obvious lies and fantasy on here!!
Jinxy
Thanks, but i'm working in München and have a local Vodafone number. Just out of curiosity, what were the bookmakers like over there ?
Thanks, but i'm working in München and have a local Vodafone number. Just out of curiosity, what were the bookmakers like over there ?
The Brit with a Spanish Bookies on Rincon is very much all done on the computerised machines, enter your bet and stake etc, although their are betting slips available and the guy who runs it is always willing to take a bet via the betting slip.
In the Winning Post its all betting slips and they stand a decent bet.
In the Winning Post its all betting slips and they stand a decent bet.
tobymugs..worse than contracting a cancer..WAFC.
Post Your Reply
Please login to post a reply.
Wonder
Instance ID: 13539