Club vs Tattersalls vs Best Mate tickets

[thehorsesmouth]

Been looking in to packages and wondering if there’s a big difference between the enclosures.

Would like to be able access the parade ring and betting ring, as well as a stand.

Would tickets for the Tattersalls enclosure suffice or are the Club tickets worth the extra coin?

[wilsonl]

Would like to be able access the

parade ring

and betting ring, as well as a stand.

Best mate ruled out then THM, which is a pity because I think it offers great value.

I wouldn’t be able to comment on the other two because I haven’t been since the redevelopment started after the last festival.

Lee

[thehorsesmouth]

Thanks Wilson, now looking at Tatts for first three days and Club for Friday.

[DiamondGeezer]

Main difference for viewing between Club and Tatts is that with Club you can have access to the members lawn straight in front of the main stand, whereras with Tatts you can only go either side, one on the higher side up past the finishing line and one down below the walkway the horses use to go out onto the course.

Take a look on here

http://cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/p … r-race-day

[Shack1]

Thanks Wilson, now looking at Tatts for first three days and Club for Friday.

We go mainly Best Mate as to my eyes you get a superb view of all the course (bar the first 100 yds into the back straight) and you can move around freely and get a drink and place bets no problem.

I’ve been most recently In Tatts for a couple of days 2/3 years ago and the viewing is a lot better as you have no posts impeding you unlike in the club, however, you are past the post. The Centaur development has added more freedom to be entertained and watered and there’s plenty of other spots available for Tatts ticket holders.

Re The Club, I’ve not done it on Gold Cup day before, but judging by the sight from across the course and what I’ve heard, I would advise swapping your day if you want to simply experience the Club. Sardines is the word, and sweaty, squashed ones at that

[wilsonl]

and you can move around freely and get a drink and place bets no problem.

That’s why I’ve been going Best Mate for over 20 years. On the years I’ve been more than one day I’ve also been into Tatts but found it too busy.

Lee

[thehorsesmouth]

Thanks for the advice all, would consider the Best Mate but would like the option to see some of the horses.

Interesting what you say about the Club enclosure on Gold Cup day Shack, will relay this to my travelling companions!

[Shack1]

and you can move around freely and get a drink and place bets no problem.

That’s why I’ve been going Best Mate for over 20 years. On the years I’ve been more than one day I’ve also been into Tatts but found it too busy.

Lee

We go three days a year having given up on Gold cup day 3/4 years ago.
Everyone who cant get a ticket for the other side ends up in here so there’s a right mish-mash of day-trippers and posh country types who try to lay out a picnic on the steps of the BM stand

Friday is spent in the comfort of my armchair and I have to say I was at first gutted to not be there for the gold cup, but it soon passed and I don’t mind it one bit. Tuesday is the main day, from a class racing and punting perspective.

[thehorsesmouth]

Do you travel from home Shack, or stay nearby?

We’re looking at staying in Stratford-on-Avon, about three quarters of an hour away but a lot cheaper than staying in Cheltenham itself. I imagine there’ll be a few around Stratford for the week anyway.

[wilsonl]

and you can move around freely and get a drink and place bets no problem.

That’s why I’ve been going Best Mate for over 20 years. On the years I’ve been more than one day I’ve also been into Tatts but found it too busy.

Lee

We go three days a year having given up on Gold cup day 3/4 years ago.
Everyone who cant get a ticket for the other side ends up in here so there’s a right mish-mash of day-trippers and posh country types who try to lay out a picnic on the steps of the BM stand

Friday is spent in the comfort of my armchair and I have to say I was at first gutted to not be there for the gold cup, but it soon passed and I don’t mind it one bit. Tuesday is the main day, from a class racing and punting perspective.

Agree with that. It would take a hell of a lot for me to miss the Tuesday, we go up Monday night, have a night out then get in the Landsdowne for 9:00 AM. Used to be 7:30 in the Bays Hill but age started creeping in

Then we’ll get the train back to Surrey after racing – mission – and the next three days are spent in front of the TV with a crate of beer after a couple of liveners in the local. I’m 45 now and over the years the TV days are gradually overtaking the visit for enjoyment as there’s no two ways about it, if you do the festival properly it is exhausting.

I lived in Birmingham until I was 40 so I used to go a lot more days with it being a 40 min train journey. It now takes roughly 3.5 hours one way

Lee

[Shack1]

Agree with that. It would take a hell of a lot for me to miss the Tuesday, we go up Monday night, have a night out then get in the Landsdowne for 9:00 AM. Used to be 7:30 in the Bays Hill but age started creeping in

Then we’ll get the train back to Surrey after racing – mission – and the next three days are spent in front of the TV with a crate of beer after a couple of liveners in the local. I’m 45 now and over the years the TV days are gradually overtaking the visit for enjoyment as there’s no two ways about it, if you do the festival properly it is exhausting.

I lived in Birmingham until I was 40 so I used to go a lot more days with it being a 40 min train journey. It now takes roughly 3.5 hours one way

Lee

Nice one Lee,
I’m two years younger and have been every year since 1991 (foot & mouth excepted). We drink from (only) 11am until around midnight and tend to stick on the Guinness. Rarely am I hung over or off it the next day but I must confess the Mrs doesn’t get much work out of me by the time I get home.
And here’s an example to everyone – My Mates dad comes with us and lasts the pace almost pint for pint and he’s now 82. The constitution of an ox, torn up every rule book on health there is

[CarryOnKatie]

Further to add with Club tickets you can normally cross over to the inside of the track (e.g. alongside the last two on the New course). Watched a number of big races from there when I used to be a member (lived in Cheltenham for a few years) and needed a bit of space from the madding crowds.

Now 40 with two young children and a mortgage to pay will be in front of the telly again this year. No 9AM starts in the pub for me now.

Cheers
Sean

[thehorsesmouth]

Thanks Sean, that’s something we’ll have to consider

[milbear0]

THM, I’m not sure they open up the center of the course during the festival.
Tuesday is by far the best day, I attend it religiously and have done for 5-6 years I guess with a smattering of other days thrown in. There’s a lot of new development at the course already completed but what I would say is that you’ll not have enough time to go from a good viewpoint at the course, to the parade ring and back to the course again between races. It can be a real battle to enjoy the full facilities of the course during the festival and if you intend to get a drink between races too you are pretty much scuppered. I tend to bet mainly Antepost with top ups in the morning of the race to remove the necessity of queuing at a bookmaker for appalling odds and EW terms, then pick two or so races each day to watch from the centaur as it gives a welcome break from the crowds during a race for WC, beer and breathing etc.
Club is a hinderance, stick with Tatts and put a few extra quid on Holywell instead

[MarkTT]

Been looking in to packages and wondering if there’s a big difference between the enclosures.

Would like to be able access the parade ring and betting ring, as well as a stand.

Would tickets for the Tattersalls enclosure suffice or are the Club tickets worth the extra coin?

I’d go Club. Tatts Enclosure is good but Club gives better views and more, closer access. It’s also easier and quicker to move between the areas you’ve mentioned
Doing Tatts Grandstand this year.

I normally travel in through Stow on the Wold, then pass the Pheasant Inn, with the early revelers stood outside. That’s when the first tingle happens. Then into Winchcombe and the traffic is steadily increasing in volume. Then Southam and there’s a few seconds where you’re looking down on the racecourse – the fences, the blimp, the sun bouncing off windows…YES – IT’S FESTIVAL TIME !!!
There’s parking in Southam, £5 all day at the village hall and it’s a steady walk down to the course. Allows you to take it all in – the steam train on your right, the helicopter zone on your left and hopefully glory ahead of you.

[Shack1]

Do you travel from home Shack, or stay nearby?

We’re looking at staying in Stratford-on-Avon, about three quarters of an hour away but a lot cheaper than staying in Cheltenham itself. I imagine there’ll be a few around Stratford for the week anyway.

Missed this yesterday THM, we come from Yorkshire so stay about a 25 minute walk from Town Centre, private house we are looked after by a lovely couple. The tourist information board offered this service years back, we’ve been at the same place since ’91. £40 a night and treated like kings .

[ossie10]

Has anyone used the Final Flight Bar am going on Tuesday and wondered if it was worth the extra tenner.

[Author]

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