im off to Cheltenham in the morning, is anyone else going? The reason I ask,is because I'm beginning to wonder why I bother. The place is a ****hole full of drunks who have no interest in the sport, it's expensive five and a half quid for a pint, the bookies have your pants down. And as for the sport you'd get better fare at Wolverhampton on a wet and windy Monday night. Some people come on here going on about the festival for months in advance discussing the merits of some old nags who look poor at best and let's be honest the festival is overrated .i think I've talked myself in to giving it a miss, does anyone want a couple of tickets.ill stay at home and watch big brother instead.
I'm off to Prestbury Park tomorrow and will be there for the festival and **** me I cannot wait for it!! After all it is the greatest festival on turf
Seconded. That’s a line I’ve been saying for years. I’ve gone twice before on CGC day and didn’t enjoy it either day (and in total that’s something I can say about just 3 race days in my entire life. ‘Celebration Mile’ day at Goodwood, a few years back, the another –zero atmosphere and so dull). I really do doubt if there is another sporting event, other than the Cheltenham Festival, where so many of the clientele are totally sozzled before the event even starts. Meanwhile, people crib Royal Ascot for having attendees with no knowledge of racing. At least there they show some passing interest whereas at the Cheltenham Festival so many just want to get roaring drunk in the quickest possible time. Whilst a huge percentage must be at the racecourse all day and not even see a horse! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Alcohol should be banned at racecourse except in the ‘Owners and Trainer Bar’ – connections must have somewhere to go to toast victory or commiserate in defeat. Won’t ever happen though because racecourses make so, so, so, so, so much out of alcohol sales. Meanwhile, I can’t think of any sporting event that shows less regard for its paying public. The attitude is to simply stack as many in as possible and show them no respect. After the ‘Taylor Report’ you certainly can’t do that re football anymore. For the Festival to get back to former glories they should, in my opinion, half the attendance and double the price of admission. That would give people room to breathe and promenade more freely whilst keeping out more of those who sole aim in attending is to get sizzled PDQ.
F#ck me, a like from Barney. I think it was Oscar Wilde who said ' sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Fortunately I've got it by the bucket load.
Somewhat baffling remark. The comments have been made about the Racecourse Executive and the clientele not the races or their participants. Are we now going to introduce censorship to the point where you can only say something if you are 100% positive re the whole thing?!? Cor blimey that’s very ‘New’ Labour. And as one of those bookie chappies once told me ‘a 5/1 winner at a Racecourse you love pays the same as a 5/1 winner at a Racecourse you loath’.
I thought the day that the old rogue mr Corbyn took over was the day that new labour died- he's gone back to the typical left wing party! But anyway as you can tell I'm not a supporter although with my old head master the author of Tony Blairs autobiography I should be! However- I never criticised you to the point for Saying what you did but in good old political fashion I just made a 'wishwashy' fact that could have been taken in two different ways
I've been lucky enough to have been to the last 2 Cheltenham Festivals and it's without doubt the most passionate, proper racing crowd I've came across and I've been to a fair few meets UK & Ireland. You get people pissed yeah, no doubt, but it's a lower percentage than at most other meets I've been at and at least, I find, the majority of drunkards do take notice of the racing unlike at Aintree, Epsom and even Leopardstown at Xmas. Do agree with Florida's point it being overrated/hyped. It definitely is and I'm as guilty as most at that to be fair!
Agree with Beefy-Been to the festivel once two years and had a fantastic two days.If you think the festivel is hyped up then don't bother going is my advice!Of course your going to get a few numpties and piss heads there but you'll generally find them at most big sports venues so best ignore them.
If Barney is describing Gold Cup day then I'd be inclined to agree. Have been to 2 Gold Cup days and it does have a very high pisshead factor. The other 3 days are quality though. Great atmosphere and the vast majority of spectators I've encountered are there for the horse racing.
Mind you, this is just one Timeform rep. Doesn't agree with the Timeform ratings, or the ATR Timeform comments. One of them will be right
Chan, yep was talking about CGC day. I’ve been twice before, as well, and to be perfectly frank would never want to go again on that particular raceday. There does seem to be a different vibe around the place on the other days of the Festival with far less aggression and drunkenness around from my experience. Maybe, the ‘big race’ brings out the undesirables.
I've only been to Cheltenham once, when my favourite Pendil cruised into the lead at the last and then got nailed on the line by The Dickler. Freezing as I remember it. Never been since and never likely to go again. Much rather watch it on TV
