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My grandchildren get excited about christmas far too early, probably a month before, but they are all under 10 years old.
what excuse grown men have for all this hype about cheltenham is quite sad,
why not calm down its only another race meeting, most people have been a lot more than me, ( probably 20 full festivals), I find the whole experience a big let down and very samee.
There are crazily passionate horse enthusiasts out there, like myself. I’ve been to the past 6 Melbourne Cup Carnivals (all four days) and I don’t see myself ever stopping. And it would be the same with Cheltenham, too.
m deering, did that oz bit only lasted 3 races 1st 2 days, boring.
hey glastonbury, will give it a go
I think the racing media account for 99% of the hype, I agree it is incredibly boring day after day for the preceding 6 months to the Festival.
Anything wins a novice hurdle and the ante post quotes are flying from the RUK presenters. I love it when it’s on but would have no qualms about missing if I had a decent horse.davidbrady
10 years ago 250 meetings a year mostly grass good quality.
this year, potentially 420 meetings , 90% dross, 50%aw
you tell me
I can’t agree with you there, for me it is the first festival where there is a true clash of titans, in more than one race. I have only been into horse racing since I went to the King George to see kicking king and I have been hooked since.
I think it is important to look forward to such evens because if you don’t then whats the point of following racing. You watch the sport throughout the year for occasions like this.
Also, I look forward to Christmas over a month in advance but the thing I now look forward to is the King George, and it is nice to see all the best horses racing against each other for once when they are all at the peak of their fitness.
I also look forward to it because it is the first time I will be going to Cheltenham. I hope I still feel the same in 20 and 40 years, because what is the joy if you cant get excited over a big race coming up. Might aswell not follow horseracing…
Most punters agree with you Barry – that’s why we look forward to 4 days of decent racing although the more races are added, the more the quality is diluted
When something becomes a job it loses a lot of it’s appeal
David Feherty used to say that he hated playing golf – standing over a putt knowing that if he missed it it could cost him maybe 30-40K.
I love Cheltenham but have to agree that the whole season revolving around 4 days in March is getting a bit tedious. it’s a bit sad when David Pipe won’t "risk" Osana this weekend because it’s too close to Cheltenham. It’s a month for God’s sake, and he could step on a stone next tuesday!
Cheltenham is not only the highlight of the jumps season, it’s the highlight of the year for me.
As soon as the last race of the festival is run, I’m looking forward to the next one already. I lock myself in a room for weeks and watch re-runs of the festival over and over again.
I’m even known to invite my mates round for a Cheltenham party in mid summer. When they tell me Cheltenham isn’t on in the summer, I say, "..but I’ve got the 2005 festival on DVD" – and my mates are round like a flash.
It’s great Barry, I’ll send you an invite for the next one if you like
Christmas is for kids, Cheltenham is for adults – but they create the same buzz and excitement – and quite often, they both cost you a fortune
Mike
Not the same thing at all Barry – can you picture several hundred people turning up at a hotel to listen to a couple of elves, the bloke who mucks out the reindeer, the PR man for Toys’R’Us, and a professional party planner give a Christmas preview ?
AP
- Total Posts 170
I love Cheltenham – best 4 days of the year.
Somehow I am away for the Thurs and Fri of this years meeting so need to hook up on the t’internet.
Love it. I love the hype of seeing a winner and weighing up its ante-post price. A winner, whether its 3-1 in a seller or 3-1 in the Champion Hurdle will always pay the same return. This is the cold hearted way (and professional way) to look at it.
But for anyone who loves the sport – there is no comparison. Punting in the big races, when all the horses are primed for battle – is a thrilling experienced. Why I love the sport.
I would agree that it is over-hyped etc but I love the fact that at the back end of the season, the NH has a 3 good festivals (including Aintree and Punchestown) to focus on and gear towards – with Cheltenham being the jewel in the crown.
I have had this argument before on here – but I think it is what the flat season lacks. 4 classics and Royal Ascot are gone before the end of June. We have 3 months of the season to go with one classic. Just think that a Cheltenham Festival would help racing in the UK. I.e. if Champions meeting was 4 weeks before the Arc meeting so the top horses could take in both. Probably not logistically possible.
I agree – Barry, you seem to have lost the bug. Get yourself away for 3 weeks and come back fresh for the best festival in racing….
Not the same thing at all Barry – can you picture several hundred people turning up at a hotel to listen to a couple of elves, the bloke who mucks out the reindeer, the PR man for Toys’R’Us, and a professional party planner give a Christmas preview ?
AP
I take it you don’t find the Cheltenham preview circuit/circus helpful then Alan?
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