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You don’t see many non-white people at Point-to-Points either, but I’m glad to be able to report numbers are on the rise.
There was a gentleman at Barbury Point last December who looked like he had made considerable effort to look the part – Barbour wax jacket, tweed, green wellies, all clearly brand new, there was a touch of the Chris Eubanks about him, I felt.
He was certainly the best-dressed racegoer that day by a country mile.
I was tailed off last in that department at my usual sartorial Betfair SP of 1000.
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It's the "Millwall FC" of Point broadcasts: "No One Likes Us - We Don't Care"Cheltenham are capping the attendance to 68,500 for the 2023 festival
This year saw crowds of 73,754 on the Thursday and 73,875 on the Friday
Its seems to have come from spectator feedbackI’m sure the loss of revenue from gate receipts will be made up of a higher priced ticket and a push for a future fifth day
Blackbeard to conquer the World
And the price of a pint will go up to £8, with a cup of tea an absolute bargain at a fiver.
I can give you the following statement from Ian Renton that will almost certainly sound something like this in the next couple of weeks.
“We’ve made the decision to add a fifth day based on a number factors. Firstly there’s a significant number of people currently unable to attend a midweek fixture and we felt it important to give them them the chance to see high class racing too. Allied to this, after we made the decision to cap the numbers for each day it seemed prudent to give others the chance to choose which day to attend when it’s perhaps a little quieter”
So so predictably sad.
What odds it’s five days with crowds restored to their former heaving capacity a year or two from now?
I always wanted to watch the Black Hole Of Calcutta live on TV with some racing attached.
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"The Cheltenham Festival registered as the You Got a Horse, We Have A Race for It Festival sponsored by Whoever Gave Us The Most Money
A 5th day will include the following all new races:
Veterans Champion Hurdle
Veterans Gold Cup Chase
No Irish Runners Allowed Handicap (smallest field of the week)
Is 2 Miles Too Short & 3 Miles Too Long For You Champion Hurdle
For Wille Mullins & Gordon Elliott Runners Only Handicap (biggest field of the week)
Finally, the Final Race of the Week ChaseCheltenham to remain four days:
https://www.racingtv.com/news/cheltenham-festival-to-remain-over-four-days
I’m frankly astonished, but nonetheless delighted…..
Now sort the rest of the NH season….
I’m astounded. Whoever it was who managed to overturn what looked completely inevitable should be put in charge of the BHA immediately.
Credit where it is due, they’ve made the correct decision. A rare occurrence but hopefully an encouraging one with an eye on the future of the sport.
Pleasantly surprised.
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 suspect it is the ground issues cited in the press release which is the main reason. If they thought the track would stand up to 5 days of racing they would go for it.
Might be the economic outlook too – we could be well in recession by next March.
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 wondered about that too CAS, though it’s also a good reason to give from a face-saving perspective.
Nevin Truesdale, Chief Executive of the Jockey Club, was interviewed on the Nick Luck podcast today and said that, after extensive consultation with over 3,000 people including owners, trainers, jockeys, sponsors, the media and other stakeholders, the decision was made due to concerns about the ground, the current track configuration(?), the wider economy and other feedback received.
Not a bad decision. In fact one I really like, but they forgot to get rid of the Turner’s.
I still think that five days might be reconsidered in the next few years after the economy recovers and maybe some track changes can be applied.We’ll see….. But at least they didn’t go with the hype about a Saturday Gold Cup.
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