Aintree festival advice

Morleystreet

Heading to aintree festival for the Friday and Saturday. Never been before. Staying in Liverpool city centre. If anyone been before could you let me know:

- what's handiest way of getting from city centre to course. Think the train runs every 15 mins but would there b huge queues. Is it better to take taxi or train.

- after racing, is there much going on at the course or are you better off heading back into town.

Cheers for any info.

Bangor Billy

You are best getting the train. There are big queues but it is very well managed and everyone keeps moving. There will be a band playing at the course for about an hour after the last race on the Friday so you can hang on if you want cos town will be rocking until the early hours. Don't think there is anything at the course after racing on the Saturday though.

finbarrk

The on course bars stop serving at the start of the last race. A bit of a disaster as everyone is out together. There are a few local bars on Ormskirk Rd., beside the racecourse which are good fun after racing. No problem getting a taxi from there after a few hours.

pugw

Yeah its really well managed! I wouldn't be delaying too long after the last race there isn't much going on! Train is handy but depending on where your hotel is you might be as well of getting a cab and making a deal with him to come back and collect you after! Have your tickets got before you go out, might be worth getting them posted over, collecting them can be a bit of a pain in the ass!

Harry Angstrom

Keep away from The Mound. It's worth paying a few bob extra for a ticket for one of the stands.

Charlie George

Without a stand ticket its like a cattle crush.

finbarrk

Even with a stand ticket it can be a bit of a cattle crush. Expensive enough though, and gone now I'd say.

zpehtsfd

The Adelphi Hotel in the city centre is always a bit of craic, especially the Friday night. Made it home around 4am last time i was there. Wouldn't recommend having a bad hangover for the Grand National especially with all those scousers roaring and shouting. j/k Definitely check it out though.

supremenovice

I was there last year. Friday was baltic with a cutting wind. Saturday was balmy and sunny -about 10degrees warmer than friday. We were on the Mound but I found there was plenty of room though even on the Saturday. Although i enjoyed the experience there are some positives and drawbacks:
The Mound is 10min walk from parade ring through the crowds. It can be a miserable stand if the weather is bad. There is a giant tent with bookies and bars beyond the Mound which is accessible to the Haves and the Have Nots.
Mobile Fosters vendors walk around the place so its handy to get a beer ( £4 a pop).
Watching the National itself on the Mound is not great. Yes there are giant screens but you lose sight of the field as they turn the corner after the finish line. its a long way from the finish line to see the finish properly and commentary was hard to here. But ill never forget the silence when auroras encore took the lead and powered home at 66-1.

Away from the track, we stayed at holiday inn @ lime st station. Twas a fine hotel with brekkie buffet. Theres a Rileys snooker hall 5mins away which is good alternative than sittin around talkin rubbish in the pub. Plenty of good eateries around the place for dinner too and the legendary Krispy Kremes doughnuts have a kiosk in the main shopping street which are sensational.
We taxid to and from the course each day. No problem getton there but going home was a 45min queue, which is miserable after backing losers all day.
Oh and youll see plenty of racing celebs walkin around 'Pool. We met a lovely Katie Walsh, gentleman Jim Culloty and then an ossified Tony Martin in a kebab shop.

judgethemoment

supremenovice wrote: »

I was there last year. Friday was baltic with a cutting wind. Saturday was balmy and sunny -about 10degrees warmer than friday. We were on the Mound but I found there was plenty of room though even on the Saturday. Although i enjoyed the experience there are some positives and drawbacks:
The Mound is 10min walk from parade ring through the crowds. It can be a miserable stand if the weather is bad. There is a giant tent with bookies and bars beyond the Mound which is accessible to the Haves and the Have Nots.
Mobile Fosters vendors walk around the place so its handy to get a beer ( £4 a pop).
Watching the National itself on the Mound is not great. Yes there are giant screens but you lose sight of the field as they turn the corner after the finish line. its a long way from the finish line to see the finish properly and commentary was hard to here. But ill never forget the silence when auroras encore took the lead and powered home at 66-1.

Away from the track, we stayed at holiday inn @ lime st station. Twas a fine hotel with brekkie buffet. Theres a Rileys snooker hall 5mins away which is good alternative than sittin around talkin rubbish in the pub. Plenty of good eateries around the place for dinner too and the legendary Krispy Kremes doughnuts have a kiosk in the main shopping street which are sensational.
We taxid to and from the course each day. No problem getton there but going home was a 45min queue, which is miserable after backing losers all day.
Oh and youll see plenty of racing celebs walkin around 'Pool. We met a lovely Katie Walsh, gentleman Jim Culloty and then an ossified Tony Martin in a kebab shop.

very fond of his grub....saw him loitering outside abrakebabra face in the kebab after punchestown last year at all hours!!

finbarrk

The Windsor and The Raven are 2 good pubs to walk to after racing. Go left as you come out of the racecourse.

Bangor Billy

We have a couple in the Black Bull before racing (just before the Raven and the Windsor if you are coming from the course).
A lot cheaper than drinking on the course and there is a betting shop, a chip shop and a pie shop opposite which, again is cheaper than buying food on the course.

cson

Harry Angstrom wrote: »

Keep away from The Mound. It's worth paying a few bob extra for a ticket for one of the stands.

I'd second this having been on the Mound last year. More comfort in the stand I'd say if you could reserve a seat.

supremenovice wrote: »

I was there last year. Friday was baltic with a cutting wind. Saturday was balmy and sunny -about 10degrees warmer than friday. We were on the Mound but I found there was plenty of room though even on the Saturday. Although i enjoyed the experience there are some positives and drawbacks:
The Mound is 10min walk from parade ring through the crowds. It can be a miserable stand if the weather is bad. There is a giant tent with bookies and bars beyond the Mound which is accessible to the Haves and the Have Nots.
Mobile Fosters vendors walk around the place so its handy to get a beer ( £4 a pop).
Watching the National itself on the Mound is not great. Yes there are giant screens but you lose sight of the field as they turn the corner after the finish line. its a long way from the finish line to see the finish properly and commentary was hard to here. But ill never forget the silence when auroras encore took the lead and powered home at 66-1.

Away from the track, we stayed at holiday inn @ lime st station. Twas a fine hotel with brekkie buffet. Theres a Rileys snooker hall 5mins away which is good alternative than sittin around talkin rubbish in the pub. Plenty of good eateries around the place for dinner too and the legendary Krispy Kremes doughnuts have a kiosk in the main shopping street which are sensational.
We taxid to and from the course each day. No problem getton there but going home was a 45min queue, which is miserable after backing losers all day.
Oh and youll see plenty of racing celebs walkin around 'Pool. We met a lovely Katie Walsh, gentleman Jim Culloty and then an ossified Tony Martin in a kebab shop.

Pretty much exactly what I did last year! Even the hotel is the same! Missed the ossified Tony Martin though.

Fwiw Aintree was great craic and I'm glad I did it but tbh short of having a runner in it, I won't be going back. Getting absolutely cleaned at the races didn't help but overall I had a much better time at Cheltenham. Its a proper crowd that goes to Cheltenham.

Bangor Billy

Depends on your definition of a proper crowd!

judgethemoment

Ladies day at Aintree is on the bucket list

pugw

cson wrote: »

I'd second this having been on the Mound last year. More comfort in the stand I'd say if you could reserve a seat.



Pretty much exactly what I did last year! Even the hotel is the same! Missed the ossified Tony Martin though.

Fwiw Aintree was great craic and I'm glad I did it but tbh short of having a runner in it, I won't be going back. Getting absolutely cleaned at the races didn't help but overall I had a much better time at Cheltenham. Its a proper crowd that goes to Cheltenham.

I would argue that there is better racing at Cheltenham and more of a proper kind if racing crowd but for the Craic aintree is better! Be similar to punchestown v Galway!

Jump city

Hi Morley,

I am a Scousers just round the corner from the course and can say its a great three days of racing. The people are sound and a with such a rich history between Irish and Scousers it is no surprise that the event is a success.

When in town you can get the train from Central Station (near Adelphi hotel), get the Ormskirk train and ten minutes later you will be at Aintree Station. The course is just opposite the station.

If you are in a rush don't be tempted to get a black cab as they are expensive, instead try a private hire. Just order a private hire in advance to pick you up and it will cost half that of the normal cabbies. The two I use when in town are Delta.... 0151 922 7373 or Seaforth 0151 928 6565. Ask any scouser nearby and they will be able to help.

For a pint after the racing you can try outside but it will be chocker, best to walk left towards Walton Vale for a few before heading into town..

Town
Rigbys in town is sound for real ale and a decent pan of scouse. If your coming over you have to try it, very similar to an Irish Stew.

Mathew Street is what it is but nothing special, Alma De Cuba is boss but expensive. It's a posh place which gets its looks from an old Church but well worth it even for a pint.

Concert Square is great for music, beer and bird watching ;-) Just down the rd is O'Niells and it serves great beer and food, so if you are homesick they even do Irish tomato sauce for your sausages. Come out of Central Station, turn left and by Lloyd's Bank you will find it.

If you are a Blue you can take the Everton tour :-)

Enjoy your trip mate, everything will be sound.

If you need any help/ advice giz a shout and I will be happy to help. Same for everyone else on here, it's a lovely city and I would be made up to know you've had a boss time here.

I am going on the Thursday, but plans for Saturday as well. If you want any further details just ask and I will be made up to help

Regards

Lee

ft9

Anybody else read that in a scouse accent?

Jump city

Is right la'

Bangor Billy

Is rice lid, shirley.

Jump city

Shirley, that's my call sign for trap 2 in The Navy Bar, .....Full steam ahead Bangor Billy ;-)

finbarrk

What about Slater St? Used to be a spot for pubs, etc.

Morleystreet

appreciate all the info / advice. Cheers. Looking forward to headin over. Liverpool seems like great spot too.
Cheltenham first tho. ( off for that week but not heading over to chelt - mayb in 2015).

madmoose

Use promo code mirror1010 for ten pound tatts tickets on day 1. Worked fine for me yesterday.

Bangor Billy

Apparently Katy B is the act on after racing on the Friday.

abarkie

Anybody got any initial thoughts on horses who will bounce back at Aintree compared to Cheltenham?

kiers47

abarkie wrote: »

Anybody got any initial thoughts on horses who will bounce back at Aintree compared to Cheltenham?

I think I'd probably forgive Irving that performance were he to show up in the grade 2 2miler on the Friday. Price depending of course. It could be a poor affair!!

comewatmay

Was there last year. Do not go to the mound it's absolut terrible and miserable there.

Ladies day was brilliant craic in the big hall with the bands playin all day was class. The dresses or costumes that the women wear are an experiance to behold. Think my big fat gypsie wedding. They are all excellent craic though and great fun.

Got the train in and out no hassle just long queue to board afterwards.

I've been to Cheltenham and aintree. Aintree is very like the Galway races a very social drinking and craic gathering, you'll love it.

longshotvalue

abarkie wrote: »

Anybody got any initial thoughts on horses who will bounce back at Aintree compared to Cheltenham?

Saint Aire

mdwexford

abarkie wrote: »

Anybody got any initial thoughts on horses who will bounce back at Aintree compared to Cheltenham?

The New One and Silviniaco Conti will both be well fancied to gain compensation for themselves I'd imagine.

abarkie

Hi

If anyone is still looking for tickets, Skybet via Sporting Life are doing tatts for £10 Thursday and Tatts £25 Friday

Thanks

carpothepunk

Need 4 tickets for Tatts enclosure on National Day, if anyone could help.

abarkie

carpothepunk wrote: »

Need 4 tickets for Tatts enclosure on National Day, if anyone could help.

There is a few on Gumtree, if any use

kiers47

Are they sold out already? Bought mine about a month ago. Seems early for them to sell out??

carpothepunk

Aye theyre gone. Will try gumtree!