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Really enjoyed it at Cheltenham today. If you are like me and put off by the large and noisy crowds at The Festival, I can recommend a visit to this meeting instead.
No queueing, plenty of space and no annoying “Let’s drink 20 pints of overpriced lager and shout home every winner even if we have not backed it” crowd.
Aye ridic.
Completely with you regarding the crowd issue on all seriousness. Dante day versus John Smiths Cup day at York are chalk and cheese. One is a lovely relaxing day of decent racing, with a decent chance of seeing a top Derby contender. The other is a traditional modern British cocktail of beer, blood, and urine.
BUY THE SUN
Agree. I would not go anywhere near York on a Saturday nowadays. I did a few times in the early 90s and it was OK. I remember seeing Sheikh Albadou win the big 3 year old sprint handicap. But from what I hear it is best avoided now.
I have been to see the Musidora and the Dante a few times and really enjoyed it.
Racing’s great, it’s only other racegoers who ruin it.
Especially the ones without socks.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Correct on all counts. Last time I went to the John Smiths Cup the fighting was on a ridiculous scale. One football-related ruck after the last, between large groups from Leeds and Sheffield (United) was outrageous, and seemed to last for a dangerously long time.
BUY THE SUN
I can just see Davies attending Royal Ascot, gorgeous model on his arm. She would be donning a stunning low-cut Versace dress, with matching Jimmy Choo high heels, complimented by a thick pair of white slazenger wooly socks.
BUY THE SUN
She’d better have bought her own ticket!
And stumped up petrol money if I’m driving!
I’m very sentimental about money.
If you want to envisage me at Royal Ascot in that (frankly hideous) scenario, grab a copy of My Fair Lady and see how Rex Harrison’s Professor Higgins handled the situation – that’s me to a tee!
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"How much was it to get in today, CAS? And what access did that allow?
Watching through replays now, place looks empty! Just how I’d like it. Would I be able to get to the paddock, near the winning line etc, in the course of the afternoon?
Other good days much the same. With quality racing. Spring to mind
Sandown tingle creek Friday
Sandown flat day before jumps finale
Newbury Hennessy Friday
Newbury pre Xmas Weds. and mid January isn’t bad
Goodwood mid week Sept
Sandown brigadier gerard
Kempton gets a lot of unwarranted stick but it’s a friendly relaxed vibe and the jumps saturdays are seemingly much less boozy than elsewhere. Maybe because it’s always pushed the family angle a bit
“How much was it to get in today, CAS? And what access did that allow?”
QF – sorry but I do not know about the admission price. I had a free ticket, courtesy of Racing TV.
There did not appear to be much in the way of restrictions on where anyone could go. There was one part of the main stand which was reserved for annual members but the rest was open to all. Having said that, it was not really necessary to go into the stands. The view of the track from in front of the stands was perfectly fine.
Access to the paddock, winner’s enclosure, finishing line etc was open to everyone.
Some good suggestions there, Clive. I always used to enjoy Brigadier Gerard evening at Sandown.
Goodwood in September is enjoyable, although I remember being there one year when the sea mist rolled in for the last few races.
Aintree on Old Roan Chase day in October is good as well. Nowhere near as crowded as it is for the National meeting and the whole track is treated as one enclosure.
It’s £10 at Epsom Downs on Tuesday – Blue Riband Trail, City And Surburban Handicap, Great Metropolitan Handicap.
Ok, the latter aren’t what they were, nor the spectacle they once were, and it feels like a long time (not least because it is) since Roland Gardens won the then 1m110yds Blue Riband en route to 2,000 Guineas glory.
But it’s not bad for an Ayrton Senna.
And for a score it’s Sandown Park on the Friday – Classic Trial, also a Group 2 1m contest, the Esher Cup is still a decent 3yo Handicap.
And the Peaky Blinders weekend/evening racing mob will hopefully be doing what they do best – being somewhere I’m not, specifically elsewhere.
You just need to handpick your targets.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Cork
I’ve had that too at the glorious meeting. It’s bizarre. I cycle around Chichester area a good few times a year and never get a hint of it there
Perhaps an alternative list of days to avoid too ? Aside from the obvious ascot Saturdays
I’d start with Challow hurdle day this year. It was vile
Cheltenham ticket for today is £20, so I assume it was the same yesterday. I was also there yesterday on a fre ticket through the ROA.
Other enjoyable midweek fixtures that are always on my schedule – Salisbury Bibury Cup day, the Wednesday after Royal Ascot and same course for the Dick Poole Stakes, first Thursday in September. Newbury Friday in mid September, six days after the St Leger, for the Haynes, Hanson and Clark card.
Although the latter has recently been spoiled by the restricted view caused by the stage set up for a concert after racing on Saturday.
Most of the saturday afternoons on the Newmarket July Course are usually quite comfortable, barring the bigger crowd for the July Cup meeting. And the music free Friday afternoon there in late August has the potential to reveal top class 2-y-olds.
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