- This topic has 32 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 8 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Maybe we have got used to empty stands over the last year but it is very noticeable today. Seeing the finishes take place in silence is weird!
It’s the small fields I find most disconcerting; partly due to the pandemic, I know, but also because there are too many races, and the good horses can avoid each other. Very hard to get as excited as usual
Probably difficult to prove one way of the other but I wonder how or if the lack of noise affects the horses – i.e. how many are actually put off by the roar
Isn’t it? Watching an odds on fav put in a superlative performance and come back to an empty parade ring with about one person clapping is just wrong!
Being an unsociable git means I am less affected by the Pandemic than most generally.
Watching on mute as usual so for me there are NEVER crowds at Cheltenham!
I am "The Horse Racing Punter" on Facebook
https://mobile.twitter.com/Ian_Davies_
https://www.facebook.com/ThePointtoPointNHandFlatracingpunter/
It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"I agree Paul,
imo a fair number of horses described as “idles in front” are actually put off more by the crowd noise… Just put off worst when they haven’t got any horse in front to help take their minds off the noise.Value Is EverythingI always veer away from lifes moaners but got to say this is bloody boring
Somehow the empty stands are just way more noticeable at Cheltenham and I suppose having three short price processions with more than a couple of fields small even by Plumpton standards adds to the underwhelming feeling
its just not working is it??
At least we got a proper race in the Mares Hurdle – but no crowds cheering them home is not great.
Can you imagine the reception Rachael Blackmore would have received on Honeysuckle? Or how loud the cheers would have been for a popular old grey like Vintage Clouds? It is such a pity.
Racing is usually a sport that translates to the screen reasonably in absence of crowds but today does lack something, even on telly.
Even the Cheltenham roar at the start of the first (presumably dubbed in) sounded half-hearted.No, that’s not the Festival I’am used to. Very small fields and maybe voices reverting to a “proper” three day meeting might arise….
Still, I wouldn’t want to take anything away from the phenomenal performnaces we’ve seen today.
But, can you imagine a Wimbledon Final without one single spectator?80 1 shot sort of sums up a pretty dreary first day
Always happily avoid that race anyway
True CAS, shame there wasn’t any crowds to boo the winner of the Mares Hurdle in to the winners enclosure.
Value Is EverythingCheltenham has always had something to do with the roar of the crowd, but also its competitiveness. tbh Cheltenham’s first day had many short priced favourites that won as their form and/or potential suggested… And the more competitive races mostly won by rank outsiders. Think that had something to do with the empty feeling.
However, Vintage Clouds winning fifth time lucky in the race was vintage Cheltenham.
Value Is EverythingNot only no crowds, but for me no bets or pub. Also not watching live as had to go into work this morning, although I didn’t know the results. It’s been a very strange day and a little flat. Although agree with Ginge regarding VC. Never shouted as much at the TV when hadn’t a penny on.
Something I’ve noticed is even the general “online” buzz is completely different. The people who are into horse racing anyway (even if they only watch Cheltenham and big meets) are all still around, but the random person paying attention just isn’t there. I’m on a few forums, and there’s the people who always post, but no-one dropping in to say they watched when they normally wouldn’t.
I wonder how much pubs play into this (at least in Ireland.) If I was to guess I’d say there were actually plenty of people who wandered down to the pub on their own, other years, and sat by themselves and posted with their pals on the internet in between what was happening on the TVs.
I was talking to my mother yesterday morning, and she said she loves Cheltenham because of the pubs near her office. She’d go for a sandwich for lunch, and the pub would be packed (although I’m sure someone offered her a spot at a table) and there’d be people downing pints, and roaring and cheering. I’d imagine plenty of people took a long lunch from their workplace, then phoned in after a couple to say they wouldn’t be back that afternoon, and this snowballed for the week with the atmosphere growing (and these same people would be creating buzz online.) Without that “festival” feeling (festival outside of the actual Cheltenham course) people just aren’t bothered sitting at home (with working from home) and tuning into horse racing, because it’s not so much the racing they love as the excitement of it all.
And I’ll be honest here. I love the excitement of the racing at Cheltenham. It’s one of the few times in a year you can be guaranteed there’ll be decent chat about the racing, with many people lumping on bets, even if it’s only talking online. I just don’t see that this year.
On a slightly different tack it’s disappointing that Rachel’s win yesterday hasn’t made the front pages today. The Telegraph gives it a headline at the top of the page but that is it.
The Scotsman does have a headline and photo about Ryan Mania winning but managed to use a picture taken after his National win
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.