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What's everybody's plans for a Cheltenham Festival behind closed doors?

ryanh97

ryanh97

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With the majority of us now accepting that there will be no crowd attending the Festival this year, what are people's plans for the Festival this year? Charlie alluded to a thread like this so I thought it'd be good idea to get one up. Vast numbers of us usually attend at least a day, however with us likely being home-bound and even the unlikelihood of pubs being open, how do people plan to spend the week?

Please can we all try not to discuss whether we believe there will be a small crowd, that can go in the other thread.
 
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The Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for me are still quite busy as the Thursday and Friday declarations will be made.

I'll make sure I have enough beer and rum for the week, although will try and pace myself.

I'll sort out a different take away for each night.

Update my spreadsheet on returns in 'real time' - although did this last year and it became quite a big task where I didn't fully immerse myself in the build up of everything and it didn't add to the experience..... however, it's really hard to not want to know exactly what you've won....

I think I'll be absolutely drained by the middle part of the week :applouse:
 
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ryanh97 said:
With the majority of us now accepting that there will be no crowd attending the Festival this year, what are people's plans for the Festival this year? Charlie alluded to a thread like this so I thought it'd be good idea to get one up. Vast numbers of us usually attend at least a day, however with us likely being home-bound and even the unlikelihood of pubs being open, how do people plan to spend the week?

Please can we all try not to discuss whether we believe there will be a small crowd, that can go in the other thread.
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Brilliant idea mate :nevreness: - nice last line :welcoming:

Have to make the best of it! I am going to enjoy:

The festival going ahead, and with Irish runners!
Some fantastic racing and hopefully lots of winners!
Betting in play - will start a separate thread for members only on this - strategies etc.
Being comfy and warm regardless of weather!
Not having to queue! So much time wasted queueing for drink, food, toilet etc.
Live coverage. I love watching racing on TV and the Cheltenham.
Being able to drink the beers I want (fuck off Carling, never again)
The money I will save! Can reinvest all that would have been spent on the day back into races.
The digital social side - our normal group are going to zoom between races etc, chat, celebrate, cry etc.
Being able to use the FJF whilst the racing is happening!

Tbf, when you cast aside what the week wont provide and focus in on what it will, it leaves you buzzing that in 51 days the festival will be here!!!

the will we wont we out your mind and think forward to what the will provide rather
 
I plan to tell work I’m working from home. I plan to tell the other half I’m in the office.

I plan on watching by myself with a fridge full of beer and the group I go with to the festival all joining me on the iPad via Zoom

Not the ideal, but beats working
 
Not missed a festival day in last 25ish years (apart from one year back went and was flat out)....so this is going to feel weird

Straight to newsagents for RP, I like a hard copy to scribble on, then Racing TV all day I think.....before numerous replays each eve and much beer

But it won’t be same :apologetic:

Not just the racing, but it’s a big social event shared with lots of friends normally
 
Garrison Savannah said:
I plan to tell work I’m working from home. I plan to tell the other half I’m in the office.

I plan on watching by myself with a fridge full of beer and the group I go with to the festival all joining me on the iPad via Zoom

Not the ideal, but beats working
Click to expand...

Is the Mrs gonna understand you getting bladdered 'in the office'?
 
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TigerRolllllll said:
Not missed a festival day in last 25ish years (apart from one year back went and was flat out)....so this is going to feel weird

Straight to newsagents for RP, I like a hard copy to scribble on, then Racing TV all day I think.....before numerous replays each eve and much beer

But it won’t be same :apologetic:

Not just the racing, but it’s a big social event shared with lots of friends normally
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Way to be positive :watermelon:
 
Half days put in at work tues - thurs means I'll be chatting to a couple of racing lads on each morning about that days racing and then skipping out of work at 10:45, straight to the shop for the racing post and a few beverages. Sit down at home, feet up on the couch, lots of pizzas and treats beside me with all the bookies open next to me on the laptop ready to put some retirement bets on each day and await to see how the ante post bets have all gone:applouse:
 
If the pubs are open we'll still be heading down to Chipping Campden, if we're forced to watch the racing away from the course there's no reason to give up a lads week...
 
Istabraq said:
If the pubs are open we'll still be heading down to Chipping Campden, if we're forced to watch the racing away from the course there's no reason to give up a lads week...
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Good point Ista, if the pubs are closed...?
 
charlie said:
Way to be positive :watermelon:
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I still can’t wait and counting the days :smile-new:....but like everyone so love to be there. Even used to fly back from US for it when lived there
 
Well this year is certainly going to be strange, but intend to make the best of it. Hopefully restrictions permitting will be going to make the trip to Aberdeen to meet up with a couple of the lads I go to festival with. The three of us will be round the house with lots of beverages and food.

Done something similar a few years ago, he kits his living room out, Big racing post on walls like the bookies. Betting slips as hills and paddies not too far. Although this year will be mainly phone I would imagine.

Whatever happens we will have a blast and hopefully plenty of winners.
 
Do we think Cheltenham will restrict access around the racecourse? Might drive down now afternoon and see if I can watch on the rail?
 
Will be gutted to miss the Tuesday ritual of arriving in the town early doors for the week ahead before breakfast, beers, the walk up and the roar. The highlight of the year for me. However as has been said above I am looking forward to the week off with beers, pizzas and racing. I will go out in the morning get the RP and walk into the bookies to meet and chat with the regulars to listen to the chatter and general BS tips before settling down for the afternoon. If and it’s a big if the pubs are open, on the Friday I will go to a pub where my bookie mate runs his book on GC day, have a meal and watch on the big screen and donate him some money.
 
charlie said:
Do we think Cheltenham will restrict access around the racecourse? Might drive down now afternoon and see if I can watch on the rail?
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I don't see how they can charlie, much of the land surrounding the racecourse is public bridleway, I remember the Paddy Power meeting seeing dozens of people who did just what you suggest, under current rules you can only meet one person outside your household in a public place but I can see authorities being keen to ensure racing doesn't get a bad 'look' and look to stop that.
Leave the car at home and join us in the 'Spectre-dome'...
 
Istabraq said:
I don't see how they can charlie, much of the land surrounding the racecourse is public bridleway, I remember the Paddy Power meeting seeing dozens of people who did just what you suggest, under current rules you can only meet one person outside your household in a public place but I can see authorities being keen to ensure racing doesn't get a bad 'look' and look to stop that.
Leave the car at home and join us in the 'Spectre-dome'...
Click to expand...

Yeh that's what I thought, but if loads have the same idea I can see police restricting large numbers gathering.
 
charlie said:
Yeh that's what I thought, but if loads have the same idea I can see police restricting large numbers gathering.
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Yep, but I think it'll be more driven by racing who don't want the sports image associated with people breaking covid rules.
We have to remember that Cheltenham will command, for the entire week, greater media focus than ever before, no doubt ITV will stick it on the main channel and you could see viewing figures of several million, the sport only ever gets that exposure on Grand National day.

Slightly off topic but I really think/hope there are people who have got into racing during lockdown(s) and will look to visit courses when they're allowed to, any poor attention/coverage could backfire so I think authorities will have the way the sport is perceived very much in their thinking...
 
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