Cheltenham Festival

Crimson.... rabbit away, my typing is of the two-fingered variety so I take ages to type anything at all!
The OG has just gone to meet No.2 son at Bath station, I've just googled parts of a horse for tonight's quiz! Lunch is in the oven.... it's just like the return of the prodigal son!!!
I have favourites from years ago usually for silly reasons and get quite emotional about their 'bravery', giving it their all, and don't like to see the green screens go up.
Hello Bud is so game, I saw him at Wincanton and said so to his jockey who replied fondly 'Yes, he's a beast isn't he?' ( Sam Twiston-Davies)
I enjoy watching 'at the rails' as I love the sound they make and we usually go into the centre of the track for the Cross Country.
By the way, the OG does NOT know my username! I'll pm my real name!

We've got it down to a fine art over the years; screen then mad dash across the walkway to clap them in, then over to the pre parade. If there's a horse I really want to see I go to the pre parade early to get a position. Paddockside viewing is well nigh impossible, except for the year when I planted myself at the fence for hours to see Istabraq when he won his third champion then missed him because I was expecting a horse with huge presence but I found him rather lacking in charisma, unlike Hardy Eustace who I thought was one of the prettiest horses I've ever seen; like a little show pony. No one seemed to notice that because of his blue blinkers, although Simon Holt came to one of our previews and said he adored him also. I'd love to go really early and see the horses being exercised; I think you can get a special ticket for that. Also like to see the horses rolling in the sand that they've put by the unloading area. I found out preview rather lacking in tips last week, even down to the fact that a few tipped a horse that I'd heard rumours about. Sorry; am rabbiting on..having finished work I'm now getting into the swing of things!

Crimson Thanks for the tips!
We usually get there in time to have a picnic before going in but might ring the changes this year. Number 2 son will be with us and he is by far the most knowledgeable of us so we generally follow him!
We went to the Cheltenham preview evening at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago and picked up a few tips. Nicholls flagged up Hinterland, but gave Zarkander as his bet of the day. I'm afraid I am swayed by other considerations and am not a serious punter!!!!
Tonight we are off to a Quiz (Horses and General Knowledge) at the Manor Inn (Ditcheat) tomorrow Cheltenham, as you know ( No.2 son picks it as the best day too) then Wednesday we watch on the big screen at the Manor Inn, followed by a delicious supper there!Thurs and Fri on our own telly.
I usually dash between the parade ring and the course, especially if I have a placed horse to cheer in. I like to watch them before the race too, I reckon I almost get as much exercise as the horses!
Will look out for you, will post again this evening.

Double edged sword, there. (Probably not quite the right phrase, but hey ho.) Actually, just thought, If I am out of work this time next year, then heaven knows where I will be living, because I won't be where I am now.)

Those that are going, enjoy!

Look on the bright side, phoenix; if you're out of work next year you can come with us on the Tuesday and then watch it on telly with us as well!

Ooooh, you lucky buggers it is the only sport that i get passionate about, but sadly won't even be able to watch it on TV! (Although, if my redundancy meeting goes the wrong way tomorrow, I might. I will be pushing for the chance to work my 6 weeks statutory notice, in order to have the chance to close a few more deals and get the commission, my boss might decide otherwise.)

We get there really early so we can watch the horses being unloaded. Then it's touch Arkle for luck, place our bets with the tote, hopefully see the old horses parade [were you there last year when Hardy Eustace et al were there?]. We spend most of our time going between the pre parade ring and the big screen by the paddock; then we watch the horses come back up the horsewalk. Very excited at seeing old Dream Alliance this year, even though he is a shadow of his former self. I've backed a couple of outsiders for the Champion Hurdle, Brampour and Overturn [who has been given a break this year and won't be there to set the pace for Peddlers; he's supposedly in very good order]. We never watch from the track. Don't know what I'll be wearing as not sure about the weather, but you could find us by Arkle at a certain time. Annoyingly I've got to go into work tomorrow morning, otherwise I'd be studying the form like crazy now. Rather fancy the French horse for the Supreme; people tend to ignore French raiders but imo they do rather well. Have backed the Gigginstown horse so far for that race even though I hate his owner.....

OGM; we always go on the Tuesday [the best day imo]. We met Mr Hales on Thursday and he thinks Al Ferof is going to run a mighty race against Sprinter Sacre. Oh, teas ready....will tell you more later...

Ogm I thought the weather was good next week. Are you sure it's Cheltenham? It usually snows for it!

Jeni, I have long since 'gone to the dogs'!

I wish I was[wistful] emoticon. I've never been horse racing! I went to the dogs though, once

Jeni, worry not, I shall reply on this thread and add to the confusion (I'm good at that!). No, we went as a group of four. There were other people around as it was the last 'Starling talk' of the season.
Back to Cheltenham, anyone going?

No it was me! Ogm has posted on another thread that she went birding! I posted on the wrong thread

Phoenix I think Jeni is still hungover from last nights virtual party!

Am I losing the plot?

To me, Cheltenham Festival is the jump season highlight of the year, no matter how I try I can't make a connection between it and bird watching.

Confused of North Devon

ogm my next door neighbour on the other side had a lot of people round and I think they all went birding as well! She is very much into it. We are both members of the Bristol ornithological society. Was this the same event do you think?