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My least favourite track is “Shuddupa your face” by Joe Dolce 😉
Whats a matter you hey! Gotta no respect.
Not the best racecourses in the British Isles but these two are my favourites . Ayr and Hamilton ( beautiful scenery and atmosphere , especially on a warm summer’s evening ) .
My least favourite : Yes , it’ll take a lot to knock Chester off this particular perch . Just don’t like the course full stop .
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
York – fantastic feelgood factor course complemented by a feelgood factor city.However,did not think there was a need to introduce these new trashy fixtures that have appeared in recent times.
Cheltenham – not been for for around 8 years now. Would still recommend but do believe that the Festival has been undermined by the extra day.And although the racecourse is in a lovely setting, I don’t think the town itself has the quaintness you would expect for the area.
Aintree – first went the day of Rummy’s third National but generally give the Saturday’s a miss and have only seen approx 10-12 Nationals in 40 years(and anyway it’s just the Grand National In Name Only Chase now ). Give the Fridays a miss now but always go on the Thursday. Hope they continue to hold out to the temptation of an extra day. When you consider that the course nearly went under twice, they’ve done terrific job with the place, and the two pre Xmas fixtures are decent too – though the early summer ones are dreadful.
Wetherby – once had a real buzz about it and fascinating cards too. The disappearance of quality northern based jumping yards along with the Highway Agency’s widening of the A1,has meant the venue has fallen a tier or two, and is not the attraction it once was.
Haydock Park – the good sponsorship and prize money through the winter merely paper over the cracks of what they did to that unique chasing course.
Newmarket – not been for many,many years but it does have it’s own uniqueness.The July course in particular has a feelgood ambience.
Chester – Greedy venue. They only built that new members stand because a couple of teenage miscreants torched down the old one. Too many additional trashy fixtures have been introduced which attract the sort of audience they deserve. The paddock side is full of posers at Pim’s tables, and the last two times I’ve been ( the most recent two Chester Vase days), I’ve met up with a genuine racing fan pal and we have gone in the centre of the course by the turn into the straight.Good pub near the course called The Falcon – it’s a Samuel Smiths and the only other one of those I know is the King’s Arms in York.My fav
Kempton jumps. Ok it’s my manor but it’s superb for members and great racing course. Very good staff too.
Sandown. Of course. Amazed at negativity here. Everything is laid out perfectly and the jumping there is special
Plumpton. Lovely in every way. My fav small course.
Newbury. The main stand especially but I can understand why some don’t warm to it but although the crowd may seem snooty to some it’s a true racing set in the members. Knowledgeable
Salisbury. Enormous surprise. Surely the best small flat course
But could easily have a few others included cheltenham ascot etc
Least
Warwick. Weird viewing
Aintree. Couldn’t connect with the place
I’m not nuts about York. Paddock was rubbish (I think it’s been upgraded?) and too boozy. A lot of northern flat courses are big sprint handicap dominated too much for me too. My least favourite racing. Agree it’s very overrated and no better than sometimes maligned donny which I quite liked
Chester I’ve never been too but never heard one good word about
I think Huntington is excellent. They really make the most of the place. Fontwell is charming. Windsor has a nice atmosphere but wish they would jump there again (although the crowds used to be poor)
It’s hard to think that a very large course could do a better job than ascot. It is extraordinarily appealing to occasional racegoers and that’s because there is a good attention to detail there as well as a touch of class surrounding the facilities. In fact the catering vibe and service in the top level restaurant for a corporate is superb. I can’t imagine any sporting venue does it better with food and wine that’s out of the top drawer. The racing speaks for itself. They simply never have a bad card. The course is an absolute showcase for the sport.
Others not mentioned anywhere above
Newmarket. Nice feeling of being in the center of the sport but viewing…
Thirst and ripon. Quaint but boring racing
Wetherby. Could have been superb but the old grandstand was worst I’ve experienced. A toilet Loved the viewing
Sedgefield Brighton Yarmouth. Racing too poor to enthuse but tracks ok
Lingfield. Generally like the place without getting carried away
Goodwood. Great but very expensive. Festival is rammed though
Epsom. Improved with new main stand. Derby trial day is good
Leopardstown. Years ago now but underwhelmed
Chantilly. Prefer to longchamp
Happy valley. Great setting. Unique
Not sure how I missed Flemington from my top 5 list. Packed to the rafters on Melbourne Cup day, yet organised and easy to get around. Train station at the front door, a hugely impressive day out and the crowds reaction to Michelle Payne was fantastic.
Just a pity it also turned out to be the old warrior Red Cadeaux’s swansong.Favourites:
Cheltenham – For obvious reasons. I need to get down to the festival again(been 20 years).
Aintree – I know the National fences aren’t the same but there’s still something special about races over them. And I really enjoy the Mildmay course as well.
Kelso – I’ve only been once but I’d like to revisit and try the old grandstand. A beautiful course and I like the bags of carrots for winning trainers(for the horses I hope).
Sandown – So many fantastic finishes on that Chase course.
Dislikes:
Chelmsford – No interest in the racegoer. A grandstand in the middle of the course!?!
Lingfield AW – Every race seems the same with horses flying down the outside to collar the leaders late on. Do front runners ever win there?
Nottingham – Got rid of their jumps track to run more moderate flat meetings on a featureless track.
Haydock – Lots of great races and good prize money but I can never forgive them for destroying one of the best steeplechase courses in the country.
Contradictions:
Ayr – Soulless concrete monstrosity of a grandstand with a typical west coast atmosphere(everyone drinking tennents). However the view from on top of the grandstand is spectacular.
Caramel – Always enjoy watching this track on tv and looks to be in a wonderful location but the viewing looks terrible so don’t see the point of going there if you are a serious racing fan.
Top 5
Wetherby
Ludlow
York
Chelters
KelsoBottom 5
Haydock (Yobbos R Us)
Market Rasen (sh*thole when I went)
Southwell (never been but those fatalities)
Wolves
Catterick (nearly died of hypothermia)although i have been to every uk racecourse except chelmsford, my perspective has changed since my wife became wheelchair bound 2 years ago. we have attended 7 courses since then and by far the best for disabled facilities has been redcar.for a start you can park right inside the course against the running rail not far from the finish , also there are raised platforms exclusively for wheelchair users overlooking the paddock and also the winning post. i wholeheartedly reccomend it for anyone with similar circumtances. well done Redcar.
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