What is it about the Festival that we love, and what draws us in?

[Bollinger]

It’s a subject matter that I’ve always wanted to ask lots of horse racing goers. What is it exactly, that lures each and every one of us in? Why do so many of us have such a huge (financial) interest in an event so many months (and possibly over a year, certainly in my case….) out?

Royal Ascot’s ‘festival’ has 35 races, an extra day, is played out in the height of Summer, and yet…..and yet…..and yet…..this festival we have in the Cotswolds appears to be the greatest of them all, for many of us. Thousands of us.

Cheltenham has so many festival preview shows on the circuit. Why are there hardly any (if any) for Royal Ascot?



Is it the continual ‘narrative’ of a horses career over a number of years, and their progression that draws us in?


Is it the continual thoughts of “Will he/she go chasing/stay hurting/go up/down in distance and the continual ‘narrative’ we discuss such a draw for each and every one of us?


What makes the Cheltenham Festival so enthralling, so exciting, so absorbing for 4 days of a year for us?


Why do we attach ourselves financially to a 4 day event year after year, but have no attraction to Royal Ascot, despite most of us here having a passion for the equine stars on show?


Me personally? I love to get down there on the Saturday lunchtime before the festival (2 hour drive) and literally soak up the gradual atmosphere that builds in the 72 hours beforehand. You can feel it, sense it. I love the Monday before in the town, the visit to the outside stables as horses arrive, the ante post bet you believe you may have ‘nailed’ months in advance potentially at a huge price.

So many, many, many things.


It’s a subject I’d absolutely love to hear people’s own thoughts on…….

[somer1]

Easy. No top hats and people drinking tea with there little finger stuck out

[Lbur4288]

I'm just massively more of a fan of national hunt racing than the flat. Because of that, I feel I know more and have a better understanding of that over the flat and it keeps me busy watching it all unfold in the run up to the festival.

[robith]

A big thing for me, is the venue is one of the most stunning places in the world.

I got a jolly to the fest a couple of years ago in the Roux restaurant, and I got my team on it. Two of them walked out and saw the course and the hills and went "Oh....I can see why you like this place so much Rob"

[That Horse]

Royal Ascot historically more profitable for me, however, aiming to turn that around in my first year on this forum.

Cheltenham is definitely more of a social occasion for me, getting out with a few people to a bar in Belfast for Gold Cup day has been a tradition for some time now and only lockdown stopped that, so it'll be a relief to get back to that.

Re Ascot, I've usually had enough by the Saturday as it's a long old slog getting to the 5th day, really hope they don't move the Cheltenham Gold Cup to the Saturday once they start doing the five day festival too.

[nortonscoin200]

Good question Bollinger and one I find really difficult to answer.

I think maybe because there are so many different facets that make it such a unique sporting event.

My home town is almost 30 miles from the track but you can even feel the buzz of excitement here during Cheltenham week.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you, Cheltenham is a great place to be in the days leading up to the Festival. Everyone's up for the craic, so many people walking round with a huge smile on their face. I love having a pint in the Queens Hotel on the Tuesday morning, listen to the voices chewing the fat over form lines and watch old friends gleefully meet up for this once-a-year extravaganza.

And Cheltenham wouldn't be Cheltenham without the wonderful invasion of Irish fans. They light the place up like a chandelier, make a genteel spa town rock. For Cheltenham devotees during these four days in March horse racing is the most important thing in the world, nothing else matters, life is put on hold, everything else goes by the board.

When the grandstands come into view along with the magnificent backdrop of Cleeve Hill the air seems that bit fresher than any other day of the year. You join the hub-hub of thousands walking with a spring in their step, a sense of purpose, towards the hallowed turf spread out before you. Everyone sharing a sense of expectation because, whoever wins, Cheltenham always delivers something special - we turn up to sip the nectar of racing for the gods.

The helicopters whirl overhead, the touts circle like seagulls, the shamrock sellers press a sprig in your direction while the card sharks look to fleece unwitting victims at spot-the-lady on a makeshift cardboard box while the tweed set enjoy a champagne picnic in the car park. They're all ingredients of the magical Cheltenham stew.

Once inside the track on that opening day everything has a sense of renewal. You want to be everywhere at once - the sound of the jazz band floats across the air, Paul Nicholls is talking about his stable stars in the paddock, heroes of yesterday are parading, the Guinness village is cranking into life, the bookies are putting up their boards, you can feel the atmosphere.

It's the only place to be. Forget watching on TV, you simply have to be there or you feel something inside you has died.

Look out across the track, down that unforgiving final hill which has crushed so many dreams. Whatever the weather, the turf always looks pristine. How on earth do they get the grass looking so glossy in Mid March?

Head for the pre-parade ring. Stand on the steps with hundreds of others - heads buried in the Racing Post or giving the low-down on their tips to mates.

Await the clip clop of the first horses of the day to walk under the arch and into the tiny arena. When the sun is shining there are few better places to be on earth than the pre-parade ring. It's an oasis of relaxed calm where you can marvel at these wonderful equine specimens. Keep an eye out for JP in his navy overcoat which always hangs so luxuriously. And there's Willie who could pass for a 1930s American detective on the trail of Al Capone.

Across to the jam-packed paddock, the bell rings, the jockeys mount, the heart-beat takes a leap, the colourful silks snake down the chute and then that amazing moment (my wife's favourite) when each thoroughbred steps out onto the track, rocks back onto it's haunches and unleashes its effortless power like a catapult before cantering off in front of the stands.

Find somewhere to watch on the grass with the multitude and join the huge roar which greets "they're off". It sends shivers down your spine.

Hearts are pounding, gasps mix with groans, the cheering gets louder, they're sweeping round the final bend, you're in with a chance, keep a lid on the shouting..."Come On Davy"....they're over the last, three in line, you're jumping up and down, roaring him on....'Go Davy, keep him going Davy, .....YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!"

Pure unadulterated ecstasy.

You've backed a winner at the Festival.

But no time to dwell. Mad dash to the winners enclosure, watch the closing stages again on the big screen and then whoop with delight with thousands of delighted punters as the winners soak up the adulation on their return to this wonderful amphitheatre.

Time to celebrate, find a bar, my round, take a few big glugs to settle the pulse rate.

But no time to waste.......it's on to the next cup final and win or lose, we can do it all again and again and again for those four days in March.

Apologies, got a bit carried away but I've been a total addict since my first visit on Gold Cup day in 1977.

[Quevega]

Lovely stuff norton's.
Think we can end the thread here now. Unless someone wants to try and outdo this Alistair Downesque effort.

Not sure about the "magical cheltenham stew" though.
Although my slow cooked stews are pretty good.
When you get to 50, your christmas presents are cast iron cooking pots, and sadly you get excited by it.

[Bollinger]

Good question Bollinger and one I find really difficult to answer.

I think maybe because there are so many different facets that make it such a unique sporting event.

My home town is almost 30 miles from the track but you can even feel the buzz of excitement here during Cheltenham week.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you, Cheltenham is a great place to be in the days leading up to the Festival. Everyone's up for the craic, so many people walking round with a huge smile on their face. I love having a pint in the Queens Hotel on the Tuesday morning, listen to the voices chewing the fat over form lines and watch old friends gleefully meet up for this once-a-year extravaganza.

And Cheltenham wouldn't be Cheltenham without the wonderful invasion of Irish fans. They light the place up like a chandelier, make a genteel spa town rock. For Cheltenham devotees during these four days in March horse racing is the most important thing in the world, nothing else matters, life is put on hold, everything else goes by the board.

When the grandstands come into view along with the magnificent backdrop of Cleeve Hill the air seems that bit fresher than any other day of the year. You join the hub-hub of thousands walking with a spring in their step, a sense of purpose, towards the hallowed turf spread out before you. Everyone sharing a sense of expectation because, whoever wins, Cheltenham always delivers something special - we turn up to sip the nectar of racing for the gods.

The helicopters whirl overhead, the touts circle like seagulls, the shamrock sellers press a sprig in your direction while the card sharks look to fleece unwitting victims at spot the lady on a makeshift cardboard box while the tweed set enjoy a champagne picnic in the car park. They're all ingredients of the magical Cheltenham stew.

Once inside the track on that opening day everything has a sense of renewal. You want to be everywhere at once - the sound of the jazz band floats across the air, Paul Nicholls is talking about his stable stars in the paddock, heroes of yesterday are parading, the Guinness village is cranking into life, the bookies are putting up their boards, you can feel the atmosphere.

It's the only place to be. Forget watching on TV, you simply have to be there or you feel something inside you has died.

Look out across the track, down that unforgiving final hill which has crushed so many dreams. Whatever the weather, the turf always looks pristine. How on earth do they get the grass looking so glossy in Mid March?

Head for the pre-parade ring. Stand on the steps with hundreds of others - heads buried in the Racing Post or giving the lo-down on their tips to mates.

Await the clip clop of the first horses of the day to walk under the arch and into the tiny arena. When the sun is shining there are few better places to be on earth than the pre-parade ring. It's an oasis of relaxed calm where you can marvel at these wonderful equine specimens. Keep an eye out for JP in his navy overcoat which always hangs so luxuriously. And there's Willie who could pass for a 1930s American detective on the trail of Al Capone.

Across to the jam-packed paddock, the bell rings, the jockeys mount, the heart-beat takes a leap, the colourful silks snake down the chute and then that amazing moment (my wife's favourite) when each thoroughbred steps out onto the track, rocks back onto it's haunches and unleashes it's effortless power like a catapult before cantering off in front of the stands.

Find somewhere to watch on the grass with the multitude and join the huge roar which greets "they're off". It sends shivers down your spine.

Hearts are pounding, gasps mix with groans, the cheering gets loader, they're sweeping round the final bend, you're in with a chance, keep a lid on the shouting..."Come On Davy"....they're over the last, three line line, you're jumping up and down, roaring him on....'Go Davy, keep him going Davy, .....YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!"

Pure unadulterated ecstasy.

You've backed a winner at the Festival.

But no time to dwell. Mad dash to the winners enclosure, watch the closing stages again on the big screen and then whoop with delight with thousands of delighted punters as the winners soak up the adulation on their return to this wonderful amphitheatre.

Time to celebrate, find a bar, my round, take a few big glugs to settle the pulse rate.

But no time to waste.......it's on to the next cup final and win or lose, we can do it all again and again and again for those four days in March.

Apologies, got a bit carried away but I've been a total addict since my first visit on Gold Cup day in 1977.

Norton’s, This is beautiful to read.

I nominate you for the Poet Laureate.

[nortonscoin200]

Norton’s, This is beautiful to read.

I nominate you for the Poet Laureate.

Haha, cheers Bolly.

Forget the nomination, just give me the winner of the Mares Novice Hurdle please.

[charlie]

The Festival is the highlight of the year, every year. In the same way a TV dominates a living room and everything is pointed towards it, thats how my year feels with regards to Cheltenham.

It's hard finding things in life that are rare, consistent and spectacular, and the Festival is all these things. In a world where everything is changing, it's amazing having one week of the year that you can look forward to. One week where the same group meet every year. It doesn't matter who has married who, or where they live, or where they work, for those 4 days we are there, and that makes it special.

As a sporting spectacle, it's just unrivalled. The anticipation is like nothing on this earth, compounded by huge amounts of time trying to get to the bottom of horses and races so I can have a profitable week. We all know what thats like. It hard walking away from Cheltenham with bundles of cash, but when you do, life is joyous. The racing comes thick and fast, and you're almost falling over yourself in excitement and anticipation. The Supreme finishes and then you have the Arkle and so on. It's electric.

I love that the anticipation is collective and that everyone feels the same way! Punters, trainers, journalists, shop owners in the town centre (although admittedly not all of them) - it is the Olympics of our sport and everyone comes together to enjoy it. I don't think you'll ever see a sporting event with so many people drinking so much and so few police. I remember hearing an Irish lad on a podcast saying the atmosphere at Cheltenham was like 10 all Ireland finals rolled into one, which is the biggest compliment an Irishman can give.

Its the best in Ireland vs the best in Ireland, and some in Britain, and I love it!

As someone born and raised in Cheltenham, I love seeing the place taken over by race goers. Fills me with joy (barring Gold Cup day).

I reckon it's going to be utter madness next year. 2 whole years between scratching that Cheltenham itch. The Irish will invade as per and everyone will be super giddy. It really is the best place on earth on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

[Many Clouds]

Good question Bollinger and one I find really difficult to answer.

I think maybe because there are so many different facets that make it such a unique sporting event.

My home town is almost 30 miles from the track but you can even feel the buzz of excitement here during Cheltenham week.

And I wholeheartedly agree with you, Cheltenham is a great place to be in the days leading up to the Festival. Everyone's up for the craic, so many people walking round with a huge smile on their face. I love having a pint in the Queens Hotel on the Tuesday morning, listen to the voices chewing the fat over form lines and watch old friends gleefully meet up for this once-a-year extravaganza.

And Cheltenham wouldn't be Cheltenham without the wonderful invasion of Irish fans. They light the place up like a chandelier, make a genteel spa town rock. For Cheltenham devotees during these four days in March horse racing is the most important thing in the world, nothing else matters, life is put on hold, everything else goes by the board.

When the grandstands come into view along with the magnificent backdrop of Cleeve Hill the air seems that bit fresher than any other day of the year. You join the hub-hub of thousands walking with a spring in their step, a sense of purpose, towards the hallowed turf spread out before you. Everyone sharing a sense of expectation because, whoever wins, Cheltenham always delivers something special - we turn up to sip the nectar of racing for the gods.

The helicopters whirl overhead, the touts circle like seagulls, the shamrock sellers press a sprig in your direction while the card sharks look to fleece unwitting victims at spot-the-lady on a makeshift cardboard box while the tweed set enjoy a champagne picnic in the car park. They're all ingredients of the magical Cheltenham stew.

Once inside the track on that opening day everything has a sense of renewal. You want to be everywhere at once - the sound of the jazz band floats across the air, Paul Nicholls is talking about his stable stars in the paddock, heroes of yesterday are parading, the Guinness village is cranking into life, the bookies are putting up their boards, you can feel the atmosphere.

It's the only place to be. Forget watching on TV, you simply have to be there or you feel something inside you has died.

Look out across the track, down that unforgiving final hill which has crushed so many dreams. Whatever the weather, the turf always looks pristine. How on earth do they get the grass looking so glossy in Mid March?

Head for the pre-parade ring. Stand on the steps with hundreds of others - heads buried in the Racing Post or giving the low-down on their tips to mates.

Await the clip clop of the first horses of the day to walk under the arch and into the tiny arena. When the sun is shining there are few better places to be on earth than the pre-parade ring. It's an oasis of relaxed calm where you can marvel at these wonderful equine specimens. Keep an eye out for JP in his navy overcoat which always hangs so luxuriously. And there's Willie who could pass for a 1930s American detective on the trail of Al Capone.

Across to the jam-packed paddock, the bell rings, the jockeys mount, the heart-beat takes a leap, the colourful silks snake down the chute and then that amazing moment (my wife's favourite) when each thoroughbred steps out onto the track, rocks back onto it's haunches and unleashes it's effortless power like a catapult before cantering off in front of the stands.

Find somewhere to watch on the grass with the multitude and join the huge roar which greets "they're off". It sends shivers down your spine.

Hearts are pounding, gasps mix with groans, the cheering gets loader, they're sweeping round the final bend, you're in with a chance, keep a lid on the shouting..."Come On Davy"....they're over the last, three in line, you're jumping up and down, roaring him on....'Go Davy, keep him going Davy, .....YEEEEEESSSSS!!!!!"

Pure unadulterated ecstasy.

You've backed a winner at the Festival.

But no time to dwell. Mad dash to the winners enclosure, watch the closing stages again on the big screen and then whoop with delight with thousands of delighted punters as the winners soak up the adulation on their return to this wonderful amphitheatre.

Time to celebrate, find a bar, my round, take a few big glugs to settle the pulse rate.

But no time to waste.......it's on to the next cup final and win or lose, we can do it all again and again and again for those four days in March.

Apologies, got a bit carried away but I've been a total addict since my first visit on Gold Cup day in 1977.

The 2022 Tuesday is going to be my first long awaited visit to the festival in person, and reading that got me so excited for it. Great post Norton i cant wait to be there.

[jonthehammer]

I love Royal Ascot and went 7 or 8 years on the spin before Covid struck, i would only ever do 2 days though as it does get expensive but its a brilliant occasion, more of a party combined with some very good racing. It suits everyone (even those who know nothing about racing)

Cheltenham for me is more about hardcore race goers generally (although you get a few just out for a 'beer'). The build up to it starts as soon as its finished, plotting routes and following your favourites not just for 1 season but for years on end. With Ascot, you can follow handicappers for years but not really the group class horses and they generally retire to stud after 2 years so you don't get to see them for long. With Cheltenham its the opposite, they keep coming back, thats why i go back for the full week year on year. You get more embroiled in it.

[Bollinger]

Haha, cheers Bolly.

Forget the nomination, just give me the winner of the Mares Novice Hurdle please.

I will indeed.


100 sure the winner will be…….

the owner of a vagina.

[Diamond Geezer]

Love it so much we moved here to live.

[robith]

The Festival is the highlight of the year, every year. In the same way a TV dominates a living room and everything is pointed towards it, thats how my year feels with regards to Cheltenham.

It's hard finding things in life that are rare, consistent and spectacular, and the Festival is all these things. In a world where everything is changing, it's amazing having one week of the year that you can look forward to. One week where the same group meet every year. It doesn't matter who has married who, or where they live, or where they work, for those 4 days we are there, and that makes it special.

As a sporting spectacle, it's just unrivalled. The anticipation is like nothing on this earth, compounded by huge amounts of time trying to get to the bottom of horses and races so I can have a profitable week. We all know what thats like. It hard walking away from Cheltenham with bundles of cash, but when you do, life is joyous. The racing comes thick and fast, and you're almost falling over yourself in excitement and anticipation. The Supreme finishes and then you have the Arkle and so on. It's electric.

I love that the anticipation is collective and that everyone feels the same way! Punters, trainers, journalists, shop owners in the town centre (although admittedly not all of them) - it is the Olympics of our sport and everyone comes together to enjoy it. I don't think you'll ever see a sporting event with so many people drinking so much and so few police. I remember hearing an Irish lad on a podcast saying the atmosphere at Cheltenham was like 10 all Ireland finals rolled into one, which is the biggest compliment an Irishman can give.

Its the best in Ireland vs the best in Ireland, and some in Britain, and I love it!

As someone born and raised in Cheltenham, I love seeing the place taken over by race goers. Fills me with joy (barring Gold Cup day).

I reckon it's going to be utter madness next year. 2 whole years between scratching that Cheltenham itch. The Irish will invade as per and everyone will be super giddy. It really is the best place on earth on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The Tuesday run of Supreme - Arkle - Ultima - Champion Hurdle - Mares Hurdle is absolutely unparalleled in sport