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I was at Aintree for the first two days and the Thursday was one of the best days racing I have seen in the flesh, well worth the 250 mile drive. I was in the Lord Daresbury stand which overlooks the winning line and my ticket cost £58 which compares well with other big sporting events although the prices went up significantly for the next two days.
I had no problem finding plenty of space at the paddock to see Ahoy Senor, Shishkin and Constitution Hill close up and similarly was able to get down from my lofty position to the winners enclosure in time to applaud all the placed horses in.
Ladies Day unfortunately was an endurance test because of the weather.
Cheltenham undoubtedly is the higher quality meeting because almost every good horse is doing battle but Aintree is nowhere near as crowded, is easier to get round and still great racing and a superb atmosphere. The viewing on the mildmay is better as well.All being well I’ll be back next year.
Ps, there is a social club ten minutes walk from the entrance which charged £5 for parking, £3 for a bacon butty and £1 for a tea. Happy days
£1 for a cuppa as they used to call it is highly interesting patriot1. Thirty years ago tea was the National drink and there was a choice of greyhound racing stadia in London. Hackney – the Stow – and of course Wimbledon – were ones I visited, but mostly turned into houses now and not a hare in sight. Quite big changes really and despite the marvellous Lyons tea houses disappearing people still enjoy a cup of tea. Change is inevitable and crooks will now have to contend with robodog. Exciting times some say, and no-one can stop the clock.
Aintree in recent years has seen some of the weakest grade 1s ever run
Thankfully more good horses ran this year
But still not remotely close to what Cheltenham offers
Obviously , this is a matter of personal preference.
Not being a lover of the Grand National itself , I think that the Thursday is the best day of the whole meeting.
Overall I think that Aintree generally suffers as many of the best horses bypass the meeting , and instead target Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Although I am far more likely to attend Aintree than Cheltenham due to it’s proximity , my personal view is that the overall races at Cheltenham are far superior.PATRIOT1 that’s some turn of foot to get from the roof to the winners enclosure in time to see them in,I failed miserably.
The social club parking sounds interesting,will have to look into that for next yearFewer fluff races, but the standard is much lower; the three big festivals have their own different charms, but hard for a horse to take in them all.
Apart from Douvan and Istabraq has any horse managed the treble?Well Runandskip the going was good to firm on Thursday so I was able to utilise my pace to good effect. I was a bit lame the next morning though😁
Look for the Longmoor Social club. Just a straight five minute walk to the Melling Road gate although this year I wasn’t allowed to enter there and had to walk around to the main entrance.
Aintree wins for me as it has the National, though the depth of quality at Cheltenham is much greater.
Re winning at all three big spring festivals in the same season, On The Fringe is worth a mention for winning all three championship hunter chases in 2015 and again in 2016.
“Don’t think Dawn Run did the treble”
You’re quite right, the Irish Champion Hurdle was Leopardstown.
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