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I don’t think the overall quality is there as it was when I recall the three day festival. Not quite such an event now, sadly.
I’m almost looking forward to Aintree more as 3 days is perfect and then, for me anyways, the greatest race (as a spectacle) of ’em all to finish.
Zip
The only time I felt a bit sick was on Wednesday. Throughout the morning I adamant that I was going to back Une Artiste in the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle … only to change my mind late on and pick Vendor instead
Some sympathy Trub
Three concentrated days should be enough for this.
Does any body really think Jonjo`s been trying recently
The first two days were an emotional struggle, leaving me drained and flat, but the third day made up for it all, and I’m back to buoyant again
Thursday is a funny day, three super races with good winners in Sir, Riverside and Bucksy; three yawn handicaps. So is it worth all the hassle and expense for three races? I think not. Went yesterday for the first time in a while and decided all the reasons I don’t like going are still there. Great coverage on TV makes me think better to watch from home.
2 days there and 2 days on TV for me each year. Love it as much as ever. I did 4 days there a couple of times and it started to hurt
Due to illness I’ve not been able to get to Cheltenham this year and have had to rely on television coverage and I have hated it.
It is not the same – no matter how hard they try television cannot convey the feeling, the atmosphere of actually being at the course.
Yes it can be crowded and getting around, especially on the Friday, can be a challenge but it is a small price to pay to say "I was there".
I don’t drink so the busy bars don’t worry me and there are tricks to getting a good viewing position to watch the racing.
For me watching on television is a very, very poor substitute.
As I commented yesterday I must be feeling better because those bloody Paddy Power adverts are really making me want to throw something at the television.
The Channel Four coverage of the races themselves are appalling, especially if you are trying to read the race. There are far too many "arty" close up shots, too much concentration on the "big players" and not enough of the tactical development of the race itself – although I have to say it’s not as bad as the French TV coverage of the Arc meeting.
It didn’t help that Simon seemed to have a rare "off day" on Tuesday, especially in the Cross Country where he seemed to lose the plot completely at times – but then again we can all have bad days at the office.
Some of the C4 "fillers" have been interesting – I have liked Simon’s chat with Paul Nicholls in the Kauto feature and I thought the interview with Trevor Hemmings yesterday was excellent.
But give me on course any day – I think next year I would drag myself to Cheltenham, even if I was on my death bed, rather than have to watch it again on TV.
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