Going to Cheltenham?

Ditchonthehill

Anyone going to Cheltenham? I'm Cheltenham based (& also work at the racecourse). So if anyone has any questions about the town - bars, local stuff, inside the racecourse etc. etc. please post questions on here and I'll be glad to try and answer them - no charge! no obligation! no nothing - just trying to help people enjoy our town and not get ripped off by some greedy locals!

goonruby

hey ditchonthehill,
Im going to cheltenham for the tuesday and the wednesday and i have a few questions...
1) What stand would you advise to go to on the 2 days?
2) what is there to do after racing each evening except celebrating all the irish winners with the other paddys?
3) Is there a casino in the town or is there a hotel room where a few hands of poker will be played?

Thanks in advance
Goonruby.

Frazzled

I will be going again as usual.

However I have nothing booked this year and do not intend to until the last minute. I expect there will be loads of cancellations from those who booked last May / June and there could be plenty of hotel rooms available where you are not subject to rip off prices!

goonruby

ya thats true frazzled,
we paid a lot of money for our accommodation although the b&b is located 5 mins walk from the racecourse and we are getting picked up and droped to Bristol Airport..

Any advice on what to do at night over there..:D

whats your nap for the festival??

Ditchonthehill

Hello Goonruby,

1. This is really a case of 'you pays your money & you takes your choice' In essence there are really 2 options The main Grandstand or the Best Mate enclosure. The Best Mate Enclosure is the cheaper option but.... you really don't get the full experience as you can't access the paddocks / winners etc. and trust me when you fellas get a winner at Cheltenham the atmosphere round the winners is electric. If budget allows I would recommend the main enclosure, this will also get you access into the Guinness village which although a bit of a scrum is an essential addition to your Cheltenham CV.
2. Evenings - Montpellier is probably the area to head for, most people use the Queen's hotel as a focal point, then head on to other bars. O'Neills is popular and there is a trendy (but expensive) bar next door called Ha Ha's, the biggest problem is getting a drink as the bars are busy.Cheltenham has a lap-dancing bar called The Blue rooms, - this is not in Montpellier but close to an area now known as The Old Brewery, I suspect that this will be crowded raceweek. There is a smaller pub called the Beehive which often has the craic going on during raceweek, this is not far from montpellier. Pretty much everything is walkable once you get into the centre of town from the racecourse - so don't be tempted to ask a taxi-driver.
3. There is no Casino in the town and anything of this nature is unofficial- suggest the best way is to 'keep your ear to the ground' and I'm sure you will find some after hours gambling action!

Hope this helps - have a good trip
Ditchonthehill

goonruby

Thanks alot. i appreciate all that info..
looks like ill be in the main enclosure....
I want to be there to cheer on Paddy Mullins after he wins the champion bumper again.
Just a few more..
1) What time is the racecourse open to the public?
2) How far is Stratford away from cheltenham? ( think we might have one on the monday of the festival??
3) what do you work at in the racecourse??
4) whats your nap for the festival? (except binocular, master minded, denman):D

Bluetonic

I'd advise nothing less than Club tickets.

Ditchonthehill

Good choice!
1.I'm guessing 10:30 during the Festival but def. by 11:00.
2.Stratford is about 30miles away, just under an hour by car, nice little course and the Monday B4 the Festival is a great day to pick up Irish winners there. Startford has had problems with waterlogging this year (there's a river down the back) so watch the weather.
3.I drive one of the persuit vehicles - picking up the fallen jockeys and getting them back to the weighing room, I also help out with the groundstaff in the run up to the festival and racing in general (not my day job - but just 'cos I want to!).
4. Genuinely - I don't know yet - big Denman fan but we'll wait to see how this unfolds! Also big fan of English trainer Nick Williams - one for you to keep an eye on!

Cheers

Glad to help.

goonruby

What are the CLUB tickets Bluetonic?

fr wishy washy

Fwiw,anybody that hasn't booked a hotel in Cheltenham ,I stayed in Bristol 2 years ago and got a train each day (about 45 mins) to the races,saved a lot of money on accomodation.

fr wishy washy

goonruby wrote: »

What are the CLUB tickets

Club is the same as our reserved enclosure and allows you access to the parade ring and the area immediately in front of and in the main stand but not the private boxes etc.

Frazzled

fr wishy washy wrote: »

Fwiw,anybody that hasn't booked a hotel in Cheltenham ,I stayed in Bristol 2 years ago and got a train each day (about 45 mins) to the races,saved a lot of money on accomodation.

Cheers,

I would not stay that far away though as I will be out and about the town each night. The money will not be a huge issue but I would not pay ridiculous pprices when demand might be well down on last year. If things get very bad I might just have to pass out on one of the couches in the Thistle again.

Cantoris

Surprised Frazzled you haven't mentioned your fav spot in Chellers....21 Club. Famous for hosting the jocks during the Festival, Sam Thomas celebrated his Gold Cup win there last year as did Conor Clarkson after Kicking King won. We had some celebrations there after Brave Inca won. And looks like the owner may also have a runner at Cheltenham in one of the handicaps.

fr wishy washy

Frazzled wrote: »

Cheers,

I would not stay that far away though as I will be out and about the town each night. The money will not be a huge issue but I would not pay ridiculous pprices when demand might be well down on last year. If things get very bad I might just have to pass out on one of the couches in the Thistle again.

Plenty to do in Bristol (it's much bigger than Cheltenham),and the pubs/nightclubs haven't put their prices through the roof cos the Paddies are in town.But money no problem for you:D

careca

Cantoris wrote: »

Surprised Frazzled you haven't mentioned your fav spot in Chellers....21 Club. Famous for hosting the jocks during the Festival, Sam Thomas celebrated his Gold Cup win there last year as did Conor Clarkson after Kicking King won. We had some celebrations there after Brave Inca won. And looks like the owner may also have a runner at Cheltenham in one of the handicaps.

yep thats a good spot, if I have the right place, very low roof?

I am going Monday night, racing Tue/Wed, back Wed night. Looking forward to it again and actually happy I am not staying four days (too tough). I normally go up to the Apple Tree for pints at night. About ten mins by taxi and he would want to know how to get there. In an estate really. Lots of Irish there, normally good crack.

Also goonruby, you will probably find cards in most of the hotels, I got a nice friendly game of poker no problem last time i was there.

Nap - still Cousin Vinny

Ditchonthehill

Re: 21 Club - agreed this is a great place and they've just built a smoking area out back!! Admission can be limited - so I would recommend getting in early in the week and getting yourself known by Richard the owner (incidentally his horse is Sweet Tune which won at a good price at Chepstow earlier in the season). Accommodation bookings are def. down in Cheltenham this year, so there may be bargains. Other clubs to consider:
24/7 - slightly out of the way by the bus stop but laid back & hassle free.
Subtone - has just been extended and is OK - set over about 4 floors and each room can be tight for space - recommend the Piano bar upstairs where sing-alongs include Brown-eyed Girl & Sweet Caroline!
Dakota - Haven't been for a while but can be trouble - it's next door to Wetherspoons and cheap beer which although welcome tends to inflame the fighters.
Moda - was Time. Group owned full of students.

Hope this helps.

punchestown

Great thread Ditch, thanks for starting it.

Im headin over for the April meeting (just the Thursday) What sort of crowd does this days racing get? How much is a pint at the races? And a burger?

Thanks

Ditchonthehill

Thanks Punchestown - It's not a problem!

Re: The April meeting, personally I prefer it to the festival as the crowds are far smaller you can actually get around, obviously most of the seasons questions have been answered by April so there is not quite the same sense of drama racing wise - but if you love yer racing I recommend it.
Thankfully the towns greedy bastards haven't cottoned on to this meeting either so accommodation / beer etc. around the town hasn't got the Festival premium! Saying that a pint will still cost you £3 and a burger £4 at the course - thank God for hip flasks and sandwiches!
You will miss the festival atmosphere in April but should still get a great days racing and a chance to see the parts of the course you wouldn't get to see festival time.

finbarrk

fr wishy washy wrote: »

Club is the same as our reserved enclosure and allows you access to the parade ring and the area immediately in front of and in the main stand but not the private boxes etc.

You don't need Club to go to the parade ring. Tatts are sufficient for that area.
It's not difficult to slip into the Club areas without a badge either if you have the neck!

fr wishy washy

finbarrk wrote: »

You don't need Club to go to the parade ring. Tatts are sufficient for that area.
It's not difficult to slip into the Club areas without a badge either if you have the neck!

I stand corrected:),agree,no problem slipping through into Club (beside where Big Mac loiters).


I normally only pre buy Gold Cup day tickets and play it by ear the other days.

meriwether

I was in Best Mate stand for Thursday last year, and Tatts for Friday.

I would imagine most of the conisseurs would prefer the club, but TBH, the best mate is far cheaper, easier to get around, and the while your view of the race is 'coming towards you' rather than 'flashing by the line', it does represent value.

Ditchonthehill

I think that The Best Mate stand has excellent viewing and strangely you also feel closer to the 'course action'. That being said the best Cheltenham experience is 'over the other side' in the Grandstands. Just for those nostalgia seekers - the Best Mate stand was always refered to as "The Cabbage Patch" - for obvious historical reasons!

Keep those Cheltenham questions coming!

finbarrk

OK Ditch, why isn't there draught beer and Guinness in the Mandarin bar in the Club enclosure?
And also are the bookmakers still standing in the Centuar building?

Ditchonthehill

Finbar - I'm not so good on operational stuff!! however re: the draught beer in the Manadrin - this is down to Letherby & Christopher the caterers, I suspect it may be a cellar problem but I will try & get an answer for you.

Re The bookies in the Centaur, I believe that they'll still be there although there is a bookies 'shop' in the Centaur and given the fact that there may be less business to be had this year (i.e. the crowd may be down) they may focus on other pitches?

Again if I can find definitive answers to these questions I'll post here.

Cheers

Ditch

finbarrk

Good man ditch. Around what time in the day do the gates open to allow admittance without a ticket? This is because we arrive during the day on the Wednesday and only have tickets for the other 2 days. Would we get in for the last 2 races?

Ditchonthehill

Finbar,
Usually during the second last, so you'll definitely get the last free of charge.

Ditchonthehill

Rail movements going on apace at the course, ground is still very soft but is drying, although it's anyones guess as to what we'll get come March.
One to look out for is the new Brightwells Auctioneers stand - this is looking quite smart and is finished - not sure but this could be a great 'undercover' area for smokers as I guess they'll take the sides out for the festival.

Haven't got wind of any great speacial offers food and drink wise yet - but I'll keep trying.
Ditch

thardy

Hi ditch

goin over for the first time this year on the tues and wed. do you rekon we could book a room when we get over there if not do you know anywhere cheap and near. also what are the taxis like to get at nightime if we had to travel say 6/7 or miles. Thanks for all the help

Ditchonthehill

In a normal year Cheltenham accommodation is fully booked by now, but the word is that there are less people coming this year so you may have a chance. I don't know at this stage of anywhere that you will be able to get in on Tuesday / Wednesday night. But if this changes I will post here. Re: Taxis- there are loads of taxis in town raceweek but watch the prices - If I go out for a beer in town on a Friday night a 3 mile taxi journey after 12:00 is normally about £6 - you can probably times this by 11/2 raceweek. So I guessing a 6 mile taxi trip will be around teh £15 mark - which is just a *king rip-off.
My tip is to get your accommodation sorted now. Some of the pubs that are quite decent out of town offer an accommodation and drop-off service.

fr wishy washy

These might be a bit far http://www.travelodge.co.uk/search_and_book/index.php?

They sometimes recommend other places if they're full themselves.

finbarrk

thardy wrote: »

Hi ditch

goin over for the first time this year on the tues and wed. do you rekon we could book a room when we get over there if not do you know anywhere cheap and near. also what are the taxis like to get at nightime if we had to travel say 6/7 or miles. Thanks for all the help

Saturdays Racing Post usually has adds for accom.
Give the first taxi a generous tip and he will look after you after that when you call him.