Sprinter Sacre will be parading on the Wednesday of The Festival.
It's just so hard to believe the festival starts this day 2 weeks! Struggling to get my head around it!
Especially with so many horses we haven't seen in months or with only 1 run all season! Or worse - not sighted at all - Percy(over fences), Penhill & Benie Des Dieux. That's 2 favs & and a 2nd Fav for 3 of the big races! (Assuming AJ & Laurina are both CH bound!)
Granted, people can turn to the fact that Penhill has previous and Benie, like Quvega, could just turn up and win FTO - But Benie had 3 runs before last years festival with a final tune up 4 weeks prior to winning the mares. Throw the recent equine flu and vaccination piece into the mix and we really have an exceptionally difficult task as punters for the festival.
Last edited by Double Handful; 26th February 2019 at 1:29 PM.
Final entries released
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archie (27th February 2019)
Staying up around the Prestbury area this year. Any good recommendations of good watering hole for the Monday on arrival, either there or Cheltenham in general?
We hit the Brewery Quarter last year but it was very quiet the Monday evening, the town itself seemed quieter last year.
I miss O’Neills on Montpellier. That used be some spot the Monday before the festival.
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Royal Oak, Prestbury
Kauto Abu (28th February 2019)
Thanks DG. I noticed that on maps there. Would there be a decent crowd around? Last year in the Brewery Quarter we were the only 4 inside on of the pubs there at 7pm.
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Don't usually go up there on the Monday but a few of the TH gang on here stay around there.
Kauto Abu (28th February 2019)
Have you noticed the town gone quieter the past few years or is it just me DG? I wonder have the coach tours, which have become a lot more popular over the last few years, shipping folk off to Bristol or Birmingham hotels immediately after the last race had a big affect on the town at night?
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Royal Oak fully booked fo 8.00. They have a 18.00 sitting. Good atmosphere.
Kauto Abu (28th February 2019)
A lot quiter KA but Cheltenham's not alone in that. The main route through town is now closed to all but buses and taxis at what's known as Boots Corner, so people tend to head to other areas on the outskirts where there's cheaper, or in some cases, free parking. I believe some of the TH gang frequent the Norwood Arms at the top of Bath Road, that would be a relatively short taxi ride from your accommodation. Wouldn't go near the rail station, lots of drunken behaviour last year which threatened to get out of hand.
tiggers1972 is a native here too, he may have some suggestions.
Last edited by Diamond Geezer; 28th February 2019 at 1:18 PM.
Kauto Abu (28th February 2019)
Feathered Fish is a fair boozer too, though straight after racing it can get too busy as it's the first pub on the way back to town from the course. Tailors's is always decent , decent live music and great atmosphere, that's town centre too.
Going up Montpelier way Door 4 is also good.
Kauto Abu (28th February 2019)
Beehive in Montpelier is where our gang hang out/ end up most nights.
Good atmosphere but can be too loud for an ould lad like me !
Near and all as Norwood Arms is to us we have never been in there.
Must call this year.
Kauto Abu (28th February 2019)
A fair few of us meet each morning and after racing at the Plough in Prestbury each day KA. Grasshopper, Frontrunner, Digger, and myself, plus a few guest appearances from others across the week usually.
Have an enjoyable and hopefully profitable festival, Paul. For personal reasons I can't get there this year but I want to come again in 2020.
Last edited by Marb; 1st March 2019 at 12:48 PM.