Anyone ever been? Few of us thinking of going. We had planned on the World Cup this year, but that's out the window. Was talking to a few people who have been and they said its mental if you go on general admission esp on Gold Cup day. Can't get to the bar, the jacks etc. Would be looking to go for the Thursday and Friday. Was at the Irish Grand National a few times and it was a nightmare as queues were mental. Anyone any recommendations on travel, accomadation or any decent enclosure areas that are not a rip off?
I've been every year for the last 4 or 5 mate. Usually just do day trips but stayed over last year after The Gold Cup in Birmingham on the Friday night and went to see us beat the Mancs on the Saturday. The way the fixtures fall this year we're going Friday, staying in Birmingham Friday and Saturday and than Old Trafford for our game on the Sunday. It will go ahead on the Sunday if we're still in the Europa Cup. I'm right in saying that? We haven't booked anything yet though. You can fly into either Bristol or Brum. Brum is handier for rail connections to Cheltenham. As for race tickets definitely get Club enclosure tickets. Stll very busy but you can get a gargle handy enough and loos aren't too bad. I never stayed in Cheltenham over night but because it's always booked out but may not be this year. Have heard it's good craic though.
Ive been the last two years. If you're going with a travel company I strongly recommend you request the stay in a town and not in a hotel (like the travel lodge) which may be in an Ind Est or on the motorway. They generally have one bar and its boring as hell in the evenings, the towns (esp stratford upon avon) can be a bit of craic, however it was quiet enough last year. Book your race tickets direct with Cheltenham Race course (0844 579 3003 or https://salesportal.jockeyclubracecourses.com/jcr_ws/jcr.aspx?venue=CHE), Im sure they wont sell out too quickly this year but always best advised to book them early January. There are 3 area's you can get tickets for. Best Mate - cheapest, for a reason - your on the other side of the finish line and a good bit up from the post Tattersalls - most people go here, best for betting. Can get crouded and you can queue at times but its not too bad (unless you go during the race, which defeats the purpose of going to Cheltenham of course). Club - It costs more but its my favourate. You can go into all area's when your in Club - you have more space (esp on the thurs/fri). We generally get tatterstalls for the first two days and Club for the last two days so you have the freedom on the busy days. If its your first time going you will be surprised where John McQuirick does the C4 racing from. They are right at the entry point from Tatterstalls into the Club, possibly the busiest spot at the race track!!
You'll need a hell of a lot of money but its brilliant craic. We stayed in the aintree guesthouse, absolute kip of a place but if it all fellas, its grand!
it will be very hard getting accomodation at this late stage, you would want to be booking fairly sharpish. mental week though, best national hunt horse racing card in the world - the quality is just unreal. on another note, we'd normally see the best of willie mullins bumper horses in january, as he sorts out which one's go to cheltenham and don't.
as i was telling ye before gary,i was there in 2001.it was great craic. when we went it was a 3 day festival,i think 4 days might be to much.we stayed in stratford and got the bus up every day,it was some craic looking at the heads on everyone getting up every morning. if you're a racing fan it's a thing you defo have to do but i'd actually recommend it to any sports fan,it's that good. amazing festival,i'll defo return 1 day... we got the boat by the way and then a coach from holyhead,wouldn't be in to doing that again.
Heading to the gold cup day, staying bristol. Should be a cracking race this year. Anyone got any NAPs at this stage? i think Dunguib is a cert at 6/4
jasus stop will ya. binocular, cousin vinny and kasbah bliss were meant to be the "bankers" last year and look what happened i had a right few bob on kasbah bliss anyway i normally get a couple of good tips for Chelts in which i will post up here
My main bet for the festival is a 50 euro treble Dunguib 6/4, Captain Cee Bee 6/1 & Kauto Star 6/4 pays back €2,187.50 Nice if that comes in
Anybody lucky on this who might have entered?? I wasn't anyways! http://www.ryanair.com/ie/cheltenham/winners
Thinking of a change of plan. Pompey game on the Monday, so Liverpool on Monday night, Cheltenham on Tuesday and Wednesday (Paddys Day). Flights into Lpool monday 7.50 and out of Bristol 30 quid on the Thursday. Be a quality week!!!
Sure if you are only coming back on the Thursday you might as well take Friday off and make a week of it!! Only been once and was just there on the Friday gold cup day when denman destroyed Kauto Star. Absolute savage day them we all got a minibus down to London for the weekend. Would loved to have stayed at least a night in Cheltenham though sounds like some carry on at night there! Know lads that avoid the Friday cause its so busy but I found it decent enough not too hectic
Well thinking of only hitting the nags on Tues/Wed and heading home Thursday lunch time. Two days could be enough
Hmmmm,dont know were you went Willie but it wasnt the Cheltenham festival. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/horse_racing/cheltenham_festival/1774103.stm This another of these con stories for the missus like Lyon this season.