Cheltz Fest 2021 Behind Closed Doors ?

[The hill]

I did the 18-28:last year it's £215 this year great value plus Guinness in a glass!

[Spectre]

Will be my last opportunity to get the 18-28 membership so might go for it :/ Only downside is being 4 1/2 hour drive away

That's what hotels and b&b's are for Jim. Plus no concerns with the alcohol intake!

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

Not sure this has already been mentioned but told by a mate who said he’s been told by a reliable source that the Festival will be 5 days next year with 6 races each day going into the Saturday to help make up for the reduced crowd size.

[Istabraq]

Not sure this has already been mentioned but told by a mate who said he’s been told by a reliable source that the Festival will be 5 days next year with 6 races each day going into the Saturday to help make up for the reduced crowd size.

Wow, if true that would be staggering, a complete reversal of the BHA's strategy of more races at fewer meetings.
I wonder what the hierarchy at Uttoxeter will make of that....

[Quevega]

Jusr read the last comment by the cowboy and thought to myself, I wonder if anyone mentions Uttoxeter.

Heirarchy at Uttoxeter !!!

is that a thing.

[Istabraq]

When I typed that I thought Uttoxeter was independently owned but I’ve since found out Arena own the course.
Won’t go down well at all, Midlands National being their biggest payday of the year and of course the local businesses that benefit.
I’m sure there’ll be an explanation at some point if all this is true....

[Faugheen_Machine]

Not sure this has already been mentioned but told by a mate who said he’s been told by a reliable source that the Festival will be 5 days next year with 6 races each day going into the Saturday to help make up for the reduced crowd size.

I really hope this isn't true. 6 race cards should be a thing of the past.

[Quevega]

I'd be surprised if Cheltenham would do this anyway.
These type of organisations tend not to get too funky too quickly.

[Istabraq]

I'd be surprised if Cheltenham would do this anyway.
These type of organisations tend not to get too funky too quickly.

And run the risk of recipricol action, racing would be the loser if Arena shifted a premium meeting to clash with a premium Jockey Club.
Until confirmed I'll assume this is a false rumour...

[Rhinestone_Cowboy]

As this is the first time this had been mentioned I’ll do some follow up. By the way, I’d make a terrible journalist as my mate said ‘inside info’ not reliable source, that was my inference. We’re from the Shire so assume he knows someone at the course and he’s not the type to bullshit. That said it might be an option or preferred option at this stage as opposed to something that has been decided. I thought it sounded plausible as some on here have (I think) have suggested crowd sizes in the region of 10-15k a day so trying to recoup some of the lost revenue this way would make sense to me.

Update....is friend of a friend of somebody that works at the course. They are pretty confident this will happen but definitely file it as a plausible rumour for the time being, oh and if anyone sees a market for this do let me know...haha

[Saxon Warrior]

It would seem odd to go to a 5-Day Festival and to not hike up the Annual Membership prices they've been selling this last fortnight.

I would of thought that any decision on moving to 5-days would be decided and announced before a new seasons membership prices and ticket prices were determined.

[Middle_Of_March]

I had the 18-28 membership last year MoM and will be renewing this year. Excellent value

Excellent news. Cheers bud.

[Spectre]

It would seem odd to go to a 5-Day Festival and to not hike up the Annual Membership prices they've been selling this last fortnight.

I would of thought that any decision on moving to 5-days would be decided and announced before a new seasons membership prices and ticket prices were determined.

Yes, there's no way they'd do it after membership prices have been set for the season. The JC Exec style is usually to put rumors out there and see what kind of reaction they get. Also on the basis that if it's floated enough times people get desensitised by the idea. This will be a float ahead of the following season.

For me it's a terrible idea that my liver would moan about even more than I would.

[Istabraq]

Also, that Saturday has become the Six Nations finale so any move to the Sat would upset Uttoxeter, Rugby as well as football.
If it was a one off then I think most would live with it as long as there was a return to Tue-Fri thereafter, but the marketing team would no doubt see the potential a five day festival could bring.

Having been very anti five days I have actually mellowed in my views because racing is in a dire financial state and maximising any income potential I think will be crucial going forward, but I could only support a Mon-Fri festival and I'd prefer the championship races to remain as they currently are.
The only losers here are Stratford.
Shift the Supreme as the traditional pipe opener and Ryanair to Monday as features and fill the other gaps with handicaps and grade 2s, no doubt it will create a few travel challenges for some but I think that could work, though the preference would be to stick with Tue-Fri...

[robith]

While reduced capacity is a probability, given racing's current government connections it seems to be first choice for everything (spare a thought for us cricketers)