Cheltenham 2011

lester76

Well its been a great days racing in leopardstown today as we travelled bck the motor way we got chatting about headin over this year.. Big race goers so its time to get planning, im hoping some of u guys have some info like ticket prices to fly or boat?? Stay in oxford maybe?? Hardly get a room over in cheltenham itself?? Anyway please feel free to post ur wisdom.Cheers happy new yr:)

Joncol

I went about 5 years ago and theres nothing like it.

I flew to Birmingham and then train brings you right to Cheltenham. Stayed in Birmingham City Centre.


Theres nothing like it but I wouldnt like to go again because I acutally enjoy watching racing, which you won't be able to do if you go, its just so so so so sooooooooooooo packed, an amazing atmosphere (nothing like it in the world) but you'll actually get to see very little of the racing.

Great for the craic but terrible for watching the racing.

Lapin

Joncol wrote: »

I went about 5 years ago and theres nothing like it.

I flew to Birmingham and then train brings you right to Cheltenham. Stayed in Birmingham City Centre.


Theres nothing like it but I wouldnt like to go again because I acutally enjoy watching racing, which you won't be able to do if you go, its just so so so so sooooooooooooo packed, an amazing atmosphere (nothing like it in the world) but you'll actually get to see very little of the racing.

Great for the craic but terrible for watching the racing.

It does get uncomfortably crowded (Particularly on Gold Cup Day).
Expect to spend most of the day in queues, to get in, to place bets, to eat and drink, to discharge of the food and drink, to get out, and to drink again in the pubs in town afterwards.

Seasoned festival goers will have this down to a fine art and always manage to secure the best vantage points in the stands in time to watch the race.
I could never manage this and often got my bet on just in time for starters orders and settled for watching the race on the big screen from the betting ring.

Nevertheless it is an amazing experience and just as all followers of Islam are required to visit Mecca at least once in their lifetime - all followers of racing should make the pilgrimage to the Cotswolds for the festival before they reach their own final hurdle.

I lived in London when I used to go, so I got the train there each day. The atmosphere began each morning before we boarded the train as there were official racecards on sale in Paddington and everyone in the station appeared to be heading in only one direction.

I haven't been for about 6 years (whenever Kicking King won the GC) but I'm thinking of making the trip over next March. I'll probably stay with friends in London and travel from there each day.

fr wishy washy

i'd suggest Bristol to fly into and stay in and commute by train each day-great service,Bristol better than Cheltenham at night time.

the groutch

one thing I'd advise is go for the Best Mate enclosure, much cheaper, better view (especially of GC and other chase finished), and having been over the other side too I can tell you there's very little difference

audi4444

aintree beats cheltenham anyday :Daintree last 6 years cheltenham before that would not go back bar win euromillions too posh overcrowed etc nightmare.nightlife that goes aintree tops all top trainers jockeys hang out little loser crack 90 here its more ordinary make up ur own mind.

Lapin

audi4444 wrote: »

aintree beats cheltenham anyday :Daintree last 6 years cheltenham before that would not go back bar win euromillions too posh overcrowed etc nightmare.nightlife that goes aintree tops all top trainers jockeys hang out little loser crack 90 here its more ordinary make up ur own mind.

Go on Audi - Turn this into a Cheltenham v Liverpool thread.

FFS like, let the op get a few answers before the experts send him to hellholes like Aintree.

minty16

I have not yet been. Like others, I enjoy watching racing but I think this could be the year for me to go. How much is one looking at for flights/trains/accomodation? I'm thinking I will go for the first two days.

finbarrk

audi4444 wrote: »

aintree beats cheltenham anyday :Daintree last 6 years cheltenham before that would not go back bar win euromillions too posh overcrowed etc nightmare.nightlife that goes aintree tops all top trainers jockeys hang out little loser crack 90 here its more ordinary make up ur own mind.

Hard to understand that with the way you write. But it seems you enjoy Liverpool more than Cheltenham. Fair enough, but thats not the info the op needs.
For Cheltenham fly into Bristol or Birmingham. Google for accomodation, it doesn't seem to be as difficult as years ago, plenty apartments, houses and b&b's available in the town. Tickets are on sale now, buy them before you go to avoid queues. Buy Tattersalls tickets and if you have a bit of neck you will be able to sneak your way into the Club enclosure.

Bluetonic

If you do a search you'll see any discussion is not necessary as it's been covered in depth over the last number of years this forum has been in existent.

All the information you'll read is still valid.

Bluetonic

the groutch wrote: »

one thing I'd advise is go for the Best Mate enclosure, much cheaper, better view (especially of GC and other chase finished), and having been over the other side too I can tell you there's very little difference

Yeah sure who wants to see the parade ring :rolleyes:

lester76

Thanks for the help guys a friend of a friend is sorting us out so roll on march.. Wish u all a happy new year:)

Joncol

By the way I didn't want to sound negative when I said I wouldn't go again. It's just I personally prefer to be able to watch the racing, and replays afterwards etc.


But I definitely would advise anyone to go once, the atmosphere is absolutely incredible.

elbows666

If you want to stay in Cheltenham for cheap, contact the council and they put you up in people's houses and breakfast thrown in. Think it was 30stg a night.

I am heading over this year and we are staying in Gloucester, but we also have a non drinker who drives us everywhere.

bestleftfull3

well lads.......
looking to go for my first time this year hope to take in 3 days.....can anyone give me a price range i should be looking at??
was tinking round 400-500 mark?? would dat get me flights accomadation and my entry to cheltenham??/
ideas on travel and where to stay welcome....
and what stand to go to...there seems to be so many different tickets on offer..

all help much appreciated

thanks

minty16

Bluetonic wrote: »

If you do a search you'll see any discussion is not necessary as it's been covered in depth over the last number of years this forum has been in existent.

All the information you'll read is still valid.

Sorry can't agree. Had time to search through all old threads and I feel a LOT of discussion is necessary. If anyone has information about both routes (Bristol or Birmingham) then please share. For example how much and how long are you looking at for a train to cheltenham ? Im looking into flying over Tuesday morning and fliying back Thursday. Any other info also appreciated.

Winning Ways Racing

Lapin wrote: »

It does get uncomfortably crowded (Particularly on Gold Cup Day).
Expect to spend most of the day in queues, to get in, to place bets, to eat and drink, to discharge of the food and drink, to get out, and to drink again in the pubs in town afterwards.

Seasoned festival goers will have this down to a fine art and always manage to secure the best vantage points in the stands in time to watch the race.

Can't agree with this at all. I'm been going to Cheltenham for ten years and since they moved it to 4 days its made a big difference. Instead of 3 days of 60k people you have 3 days of 45k and one day of 60k. The current climate has also helped keep numbers down.

If you buy your ticket in advance there is no queue to get in. You just scan your ticket and away you go. There are plenty of Tote and bookies around the parade ring. You might well have to queue for food as you will be looking for it the same time as everyone else. So go some other time. Plenty of space in the toilets above the toilets between the parade ring and Centaur. Buy our Tatts ticket and wait for the rush before the race and walk straight into Club. From there you get a great view of the action and the big screen.

It's easy to get into town. There are buses outside and you don't even need to pay. Just walk straight past the lads selling the tickets. They are just pocketing the money. In town, there are the regular spots like Queens and O'Neills but if you get to 21 Club early, then you will find plenty of racing personalities. Any early is 10pm, not 1am!! Great outdoor area out the back with heaters.

So it's not difficult, even for the non-seasoned Festival goer. Plenty of accomodation. Liz Coe will sort you out if you give her a budget of £50-70 a night. Flights into Birmingham on Tuesday morning are around €70 at the mo. Trains every 30mins to Cheltenham.

Hope that helps. If you have any interest, you have to go. Tuesday and Wednesday the best days for me.

UrbanSea

Lads a bit off topic here but does anyone know of plans for Morning Supreme for the festival?

minty16

Winning Ways Racing wrote: »

Can't agree with this at all. I'm been going to Cheltenham for ten years and since they moved it to 4 days its made a big difference. Instead of 3 days of 60k people you have 3 days of 45k and one day of 60k. The current climate has also helped keep numbers down.

If you buy your ticket in advance there is no queue to get in. You just scan your ticket and away you go. There are plenty of Tote and bookies around the parade ring. You might well have to queue for food as you will be looking for it the same time as everyone else. So go some other time. Plenty of space in the toilets above the toilets between the parade ring and Centaur. Buy our Tatts ticket and wait for the rush before the race and walk straight into Club. From there you get a great view of the action and the big screen.

It's easy to get into town. There are buses outside and you don't even need to pay. Just walk straight past the lads selling the tickets. They are just pocketing the money. In town, there are the regular spots like Queens and O'Neills but if you get to 21 Club early, then you will find plenty of racing personalities. Any early is 10pm, not 1am!! Great outdoor area out the back with heaters.

So it's not difficult, even for the non-seasoned Festival goer. Plenty of accomodation. Liz Coe will sort you out if you give her a budget of £50-70 a night. Flights into Birmingham on Tuesday morning are around €70 at the mo. Trains every 30mins to Cheltenham.

Hope that helps. If you have any interest, you have to go. Tuesday and Wednesday the best days for me.

Is there anywhere that you would recommend buying the tickets from? And would you recommend buying the club/expensive tickets at all?
Also do you think it would be possible to fly into BHAM and out of BRISTOL if that makes sense at all. The only place Im familiar with in the UK is London so forgive me if I sound lost.

Gautama

minty16 wrote: »

Is there anywhere that you would recommend buying the tickets from? And would you recommend buying the club/expensive tickets at all?
Also do you think it would be possible to fly into BHAM and out of BRISTOL if that makes sense at all. The only place Im familiar with in the UK is London so forgive me if I sound lost.

I got mine here:
http://www.cheltenham.co.uk/index.html
https://salesportal.jockeyclubracecourses.com/jcr_ws/jcr.aspx?venue=CHE

Club cost £60. Dunno about the others.

I'm flying Birmingham this year, was Bristol the other years. Aer Lingus and RyanAir, so you can easily do two one-ways.

If you fly to London, make sure you book your train ticket in advance, otherwise you're talking £80-90, one way.

minty16

Just a note to anyone 18-24 thinking of going to the festival for four days. You can become a member of Cheltenham racecourse for £190. With that you the best access possible and I believe you can pretty much anywhere. As a racecourse member you also have an opportunity to go racing free at a couple of days throughout the year (UK), and I believe you can go the Punchestown on the 3rd of May free of charge too. With Club festival tickets at £65 this could represent fantastic value. I'm in that age bracket myself and am now seriously considering it.

Deplasterer

Anybody going first time I would suggest fly into bristol, Ryanair/BMI baby do cheap flights. Stay also in bristol, good nightlife and small city centre so easy to get round. Good cheap hotel, Premier Inn, opposite Temple mead Station around £70 per room 2 sharing approx. Train to cheltenham take about 35-40 mins special return on festival week about £13 per day and covers bus to track from Cheltenham spa. If you want to spend a few hours in Cheltenham after racing, that's fine as late trains to Bristol, aroun 11pm last train. I would avoid gold cup day as too crowde, but I understand people probably over to see the Blue ribband event.

And to cover your expenses for the week, Menorah Champion Hurdle & Keys Bumper.

Winning Ways Racing

minty16 wrote: »

Is there anywhere that you would recommend buying the tickets from? And would you recommend buying the club/expensive tickets at all?
Also do you think it would be possible to fly into BHAM and out of BRISTOL if that makes sense at all. The only place Im familiar with in the UK is London so forgive me if I sound lost.

Just buy them online from the racecourse and they will send over in plenty of time. Club is a must but whether you pay for it or just buy Tatts and rush the gate into Club is up to you. Cheltenham emply a heap of kids to man the gates into Club and if you wave anything at them you can get in. Or wait until closer to the off when crowds are going through the gate and blindside them.

On travel, Birmingham is easy. Just don't get caught in Birmingham too late in the evening as the last Ryanair flight in will not get you to the last train in time. If flying into Heathrow, the bus from the airport goes straight to Cheltenham. You need to book in advance though and pretty cheap. My folks do that.

bestleftfull3

after looking into flights and accomadation !!flying into bristol on wednesday with ryanair and coming back sunday return flights cost €37 per person

hotel then for the four nights 234 pounds for two people !!not bad !!

dietgirl

Hey went last year, flew into bristol, no problems at all, best few days as the craic in mighty. I bough club last year as did my friends, were only asked for badge at one bar, and to be honest it wasnt the best, there was no difference betwwn tates and club, as there is a big group of us going and i will want to be able to 100% get into all areas going with club again this year, but if there is only two of yee just get tattes and you will be perfect,get them online before hand , save yourself the hasstle. it's a great few days, losts of energy needed, so don't do the dog on it at the airport or night before your first day racing!

bit of a bogey

UrbanSea wrote: »

Lads a bit off topic here but does anyone know of plans for Morning Supreme for the festival?

Dont know what the plans are but I see she's entered in the grade 3 at thurles next week.

I wonder if they'll even go to cheltenham with her. I'd love to see her in something like the Mildmay at aintree. I reckon she'd stay well.

Quarrybaby

Winning Ways Racing wrote: »

On travel, Birmingham is easy. Just don't get caught in Birmingham too late in the evening as the last Ryanair flight in will not get you to the last train in time. If flying into Heathrow, the bus from the airport goes straight to Cheltenham. You need to book in advance though and pretty cheap. My folks do that.

I wish I had of seen this post before I booked my flights! Our flight lands at 21.30 in Birmingham and the last train to Cheltenham leaves at 22.12 :eek: I dont suppose anyone knows of an alternative train route or any other form or transport that will take us to Cheltenham at that time? Otherwise we are looking at 70 quid for a taxi

rebelpixie

Hi all
I'm going to fly to Birmingham, train to Cheltenham. Have an apartment booked in Birmingham. Going to Cheltenham the Thursday and Friday.
My question is about tickets. What is the Guinness grandstand like? Are you guaranteed a seat? Are all the seats covered? What's the view like? I have seen pictures of the front part resembling a terrace and seats at the back. I know you have to pay also for tatts or club, so it's working out as £80 or 95 euro. I'd rather have a seat for the Friday.
Also, are there many tickets available for the grandstand? Would I want to be booking asap? I have a few loose ends to tie up, like how many of us are going, as the budget might not stretch for all.

thanks

fr wishy washy

Quarrybaby wrote: »

I wish I had of seen this post before I booked my flights! Our flight lands at 21.30 in Birmingham and the last train to Cheltenham leaves at 22.12 :eek: I dont suppose anyone knows of an alternative train route or any other form or transport that will take us to Cheltenham at that time? Otherwise we are looking at 70 quid for a taxi

There should be a tour bus meeting the flight bringing Paddies to Cheltenham,try and mooch on to it,I've done it both ways a few times.

fr wishy washy

rebelpixie wrote: »

Hi all
I'm going to fly to Birmingham, train to Cheltenham. Have an apartment booked in Birmingham. Going to Cheltenham the Thursday and Friday.
My question is about tickets. What is the Guinness grandstand like? Are you guaranteed a seat? Are all the seats covered? What's the view like? I have seen pictures of the front part resembling a terrace and seats at the back. I know you have to pay also for tatts or club, so it's working out as £80 or 95 euro. I'd rather have a seat for the Friday.
Also, are there many tickets available for the grandstand? Would I want to be booking asap? I have a few loose ends to tie up, like how many of us are going, as the budget might not stretch for all.

thanks

There's usually loads of below cost tickets available outside these days (touts),Club Enclosure the best imo.

Quarrybaby

fr wishy washy wrote: »

There should be a tour bus meeting the flight bringing Paddies to Cheltenham,try and mooch on to it,I've done it both ways a few times.

Thanks fr wishy washy. Do you have any idea who runs the bus?? I've been doing a lot of googling but coming up with nothing! Id rather have it organised, than turn up hoping for a bus and end up having to fork out big bucks for a taxi!!

Hulk Hands

lester76 wrote: »

Well its been a great days racing in leopardstown today as we travelled bck the motor way we got chatting about headin over this year.. Big race goers so its time to get planning, im hoping some of u guys have some info like ticket prices to fly or boat?? Stay in oxford maybe?? Hardly get a room over in cheltenham itself?? Anyway please feel free to post ur wisdom.Cheers happy new yr:)

Right well we went last year for the Tuesday and Wednesday. Flew into Bristol and stayed at a lovely little hostel beside a river in the city center, was basically like a hotel, 4 of us got a room to ourselves with beds for each.

Got the train each morning to Cheltenham and the last train back at 11 or so at night after enjoying some of Cheltenham's nightlife after racing. There was a lovely little marina in Bristol to go out in after we got back.

As far as the racecourse went, we went to the Club enclosure the first day and Tatterstalls the second. If you want eagle eye views of the racing go to the Club, but expect to pay more. The second day was Paddy's day so we were more interested in drinking, and we went to Tatts. You get to go to all the same bars etc, but your view of the racing wont be great. If you go to Tatts, expect to watch the racing on a screen. Much more packed in Tatts also. For every 1 person that advocates the Best Mate enclosure, there are 3 saying to stay away from it.

For those advocating sneaking from Tatts into Club, we found this very difficult last year. Bear in mind that we are students and would generally be experts at this type of thing, but they seemed to have every avenue covered.

All in all, a great few days and bar gambling, wasn't that expensive.

superfurry1

Walkon for a place in the Champion? only gonna get better after todays run

fr wishy washy

Quarrybaby wrote: »

Thanks fr wishy washy. Do you have any idea who runs the bus?? I've been doing a lot of googling but coming up with nothing! Id rather have it organised, than turn up hoping for a bus and end up having to fork out big bucks for a taxi!!

Tully Travel normally have a lot of people going over with them but you'll have to tread carefully as you're not travelling with them,mooching is recommended:)

rebelpixie

Thanks fr wishy washy but I'd rather have the tickets before I get there.

Can anyone tell me what the Guinness grandstand is like?

Are there seats available elsewhere?

fr wishy washy

rebelpixie wrote: »

Thanks fr wishy washy but I'd rather have the tickets before I get there.

Can anyone tell me what the Guinness grandstand is like?

Are there seats available elsewhere?

IIRC,it's uncovered and a good bit before the finishing line so I wouldn't go near it.You'll get a seat at some stage in a bar or restaurant on course.

Gautama

For anyone doing Cheltenham on the cheap, tickets for the Best Mate enclosure are going for £19.11 for the Tuesday only. Limited to 1,911.
Use the promotion code 100.

The blurb:

Tuesday 15th March - Centenary Day

Watch BBC Sports Personality AP McCoy and Binocular defend their crown in a fascinating Stan James Champion Hurdle, the highlight of seven great races.
Pick up a free Centenary Bowler Hat and celebrate in 1911 style (subject to availability).
Treat yourself to one of the 1,911 Best Mate Enclosure tickets for just £19.11 to mark our century. Book online using promotion code 100. T&Cs apply.
Transport yourself back in time with the London Ragtime Orchestra and other period entertainment.

LFC5Times

So many off boards heading over to this year? If so you all booked up and set?