Yay!!!! I have never been to Cheltenham (or ANY high profile meeting tbh) but I'm going this year Tuesday only though. Not bought tickets yet - I see Joe is in Tattersalls, does choosing one area preclude you from going to other more general areas? Forgive my lack of knowledge on this, I'm more usually found with the riff-raff at Newmarket or Windsor
Ok, Best Mate enclosure is cut off from rest - don't use unless you can only afford cheapest tickets Tattersalls - large enclosure, access to parade ring and other amenties - good value Club - best stand, access to sparser populated bars
We've been in Club the last 2 years but decided for Tatts this time as you have access to all the key areas from Tatts (parade ring, Guinness village). We have again shelled out an extra 25 quid for seats in the temporary grandstand along the side of the Guinness village - this offers a fantastic view of the horses coming down the hill and is right opposite the last fence. You also have the massive TV screen directly opposite on the inside of the course. Well worth shelling out for IMHO and you can buy tickets on the day. Nass - I found the bars in the main grandstand to be absolutely choking (at least the one near the Golden Miller statue) - whereas the Guinness village is usually OK for getting a pint.
You think Golden Miller is bad, try getting into Arkle Bar!! I don't find getting a pint in the bars too bad, but it does get pretty busy. A wee smile to the waitress normally works a treat.
Having been a regular at the festival for many years and been in boxes, tatts, club and members . For me the best place to be is the Best Mate. I'll tell you why, you get the best view of the racecourse and you get the best view of the horses going to post in many of the races and its the only place on the racecourse where you can actually stand with a pint of the black stuff in your hand and watch the race live.You can get a bet on without the worry of missing the off,you can get a drink no problem and you only pay 25 quid for the privlege. lots of people like to see the parade ring but i'm not bothered, there is nothing to see all the horses are rugged up unlike the flat and as I said you get a better idea watching them go to post. anyway that's my view.
Christ; £25 for the Best Mate enclosure at the festival!!! My mother and I started going to the festival in the mid eighties. We initially went to the Club which cost about £30 for pre-booked entry each day. After a few years passing the entrance, for the then, Foster's Enclosure we talked about the difference between paying £7 as opposed to nearly £40 each day; a difference of about £180 for the two of us which could be used for betting! We then split the enclosures the next year; this was the best decision we made. Over the following years we were entertained by a Beatles tribute band, a Pogues type band and the craziest Karaoke I have ever experienced. I have not been to the Festival for many years but attend the Trials Day at the end of January most days; I cannot believe they now charge £25 fo the Best Mate enclosure. As an aside any National Hunt fans should consider a visit to Paris for the first week-end in November. I pay 4 Euros on the Sunday for three grade 1 races plus other graded races and valuable handicaps at Autueil. The programme is free and the food and drink are reasonable.
Hope you enjoy it Reebs, I'm certain you will, a winner or two usually helps though! Tatts is good value as Nass says, I've been to the festival when I was a Member in 2011, and to be honest apart from the members stand, which has a brilliant view of the racecourse even though it's small, the difference between Club and Tatts is not worth the extra money. Festival fever is definitely taking hold now, this is usually when the weeks at work start to drag!
I make you right Kenny I have a season ticket for Best mate £150 a year and we get our own private bar for the festival,its empty apart from a few people.
Well - as Oddy and Joe are in Tatts, I may as well plump for that! I know Wooley is going on Tuesday - wonder where he will be? Thanks for the info lads - I'd better get booking!
Always the tatts for me Reebok, best value! Cant wait for the greatest festival on turf this year! Let me know where we are all going to meet!
My rough planning for the Tuesday should see me in the Guinness village between 11:00 - 12:00. If you walk into the Guinness village, the very first bar/tent on the right (up the steps) is where I will be. If anyone fancies a pint, PM me with your mobile number and I'll send you mine. Probably the same deal on the Wednesday.
see you there mate i will have a smurf on one hand and a dwarf on the other, bowls of coke tied to there head, wenesday im taking a goat, you should spot me stay frosty
So you might be feeling Happy then? I have finalised my accomodation for Tuesday night. I am booked into the Waterloo Boarding Kennels You think I'm joking? I'm not!!! I'm travelling down in my motorhome, staying on the kennels land, my dogs get pampered, while I get plastered Hopefully we can share a jar or two in the evening, when all that betting is over and done, and we bemoan our fate. Or otherwise in your case Heis
Reebok, that is great, the good old dog really is man's best friend. Glad to hear from the many comments above that Tatts is still the best, even at the Cheltenham Festival. When I went racing regularly (well, as much as my work schedule would allow) I just about always used Tatts. It is the best deal. Have a great time!
Im starting a new job in a few weeks and moving down to Reading so it means i now have Cheltenham week off! (perfect planning on my part!) Therefore me and a friend are planning on going to every day as we have nothing better to do! Having been in the best mate enclosure every time i have been i think we will probably go in the tatts enclosure this time as its not much more expensive and i guess the atmosphere is even better in there!
I'm pretty gee'd up for this now - my first top flight race meeting, and it only took 60 years! I'm negotiating with the kennel to see if I can stay for the Wednesday as well - and have booked in with the vet as I need to have my innoculations up-to-date! You'll recognise me - old, bald, red faced and wearing a muzzle. And I'll find you lot by listening out for Geordie accents!
