General Chat

[Eggs]

….Hugh Taylor putting up Escaria Ten for the GN, can’t recall him giving an ante-post for Aintree, now a best price 12-1.

[Liammet]

As much as I enjoyed the festival this year it did feel like a bit of a rip off

I am by no means mean but the price of food and drinks was scandalous

Just checked ticket prices for next year to find out they have put them up

It would hurt me not to go next year but considering it now

[In The Know]

As much as I enjoyed the festival this year it did feel like a bit of a rip off

I am by no means mean but the price of food and drinks was scandalous

Just checked ticket prices for next year to find out they have put them up

It would hurt me not to go next year but considering it now

Not sure the price of a pint hurt me as much as how long it took to get one. GC day is always busy but this year doing anything took an hour.

[Istabraq]

Not sure the price of a pint hurt me as much as how long it took to get one. GC day is always busy but this year doing anything took an hour.

Wednesday was tougher ITK when 64,000 people yook shelter from the rain.
And it wasn’t any better in Members…

[Magpie]

Just think Jockey Club are the worst people that could be in charge. IMO there’s not enough price money, hospitality charges are obscene, and a few to many races diluting the quality. 4 days, it’s ok, but five, bloody hell.
Really think there’s a chance they are taking the gloss off the event, and it feels like they are not treating owners or race goers or punters right. It’s still great, but need to be wary. Dublin and and punchestown are really competing now.

[robith]

I'm probably going to give attending next year a miss in all honesty. Drinks were disgraceful price and quality, felt really ill equipped to deal with the numbers, and at times it felt a bit....moody tbh.

Now Wednesday was horrible for rain which wouldn't have helped anyone's mood, but part of the reason we left early was my wife felt the agg levels rising. On the way out a huge fight broke out in the toilets in the centaur. But I felt it on Tuesday too.

A couple of times, had a guy notice me going "ah fiddlesticks" at my horse going out of contention, then saddle up next to me and pointedly scream support of the winner at me.

Now, on the flip side, I did have some lovely random convos with people. And as a season ticket holder at a football club I know better than most how bad behaviour at events post covid has been, so hope it mellow soon.

And it could be the rain talking.

It makes what should be an exciting fun day, fairly intense all told.

[Atlantic Viking]

Club enclosure up 8 quid from this time last year. Yeah, hardly an Earth shattering amount in isolation, but just adds to the general feeling that they're taking the piss (on prize money too while we're at it) and milking dry something special. Dublin for me next year and home for Cheltenham.

[Irish Rugby]

Lads, and lasses, come over to the DRF, enjoy some quality racing, and not feel that ripped off. Then watch those horses at Cheltenham from the comfort of your home. A few of my English friends are already doing that, some even getting together in each other's homes this year. They all last went to Cheltenham 3-4 years back, found it more and more unbearable.

[Stormez]

Lads, and lasses, come over to the DRF, enjoy some quality racing, and not feel that ripped off. Then watch those horses at Cheltenham from the comfort of your home. A few of my English friends are already doing that, some even getting together in each other's homes this year. They all last went to Cheltenham 3-4 years back, found it more and more unbearable.

I’m seriously considering this. ?70 for flights. What’s it like for accommodation? How early do you have to book it?

[Dandrew99]

I'm doing the same next year too hopefully. Spent half of last week thinking I enjoyed it way more watching from home during covid!

[Smiley]

I’ll be doing Dublin next year! Been twice (from Isle of Man) and love the relaxed atmosphere and absolute quality racing on show! Cheltenham a pub watch for me! To important to be getting angry queuing. There is form that do packages for airport transfers hotel and coach to racing (with hospitality for extra) that are really good and reasonable too

[Istabraq]

There’s probably alot of emotional opinions being aired right now, I too have fired off a lengthy email to the Cheltenham membership team but I wouldn’t consider not going.
When the dust settles it may be one or two others feel the same…

[Magpie]

I’m not emotional at all. Went to Dublin this year with my mate from Newcastle for 50 quid return, 330 hotel between us for two nights. 30.mins in air. What’s not to like, great racing and great city. Also found race goers actually interested in the racing.

[willpaterson]

Anyone got screenshots from the Pro Punter article in today’s RP? Cheeky I know, but ?4.20 to read two pages is a lot!

[Redbridge]

It all comes down to value for money, we are a pair of pensioners, not poor by any means but we measure how much it deserves of our available income to be spent on race-day events.
Times x 2 ?85 entry and sixty quid petrol before you set foot inside the event, pre covid we did three days racing Punchestown and the value was far more enjoyed in comparison and so Irish racing it is for us two.