‘We’ve obtained our Cheltenham again’: Rejoicing crowds give new-look competition seal of approval on opening day | EUROtoday

The winter solar shone brightly, albeit briefly, for the beginning of the Cheltenham Festival, the spotlight of the bounce racing season.

More than 57,000 racegoers – from binocular-armed racing fans to metropolis hipsters – congregated on this nook of the Cotswolds, sending opening day attendance up 3 per cent from final 12 months.

The pleasure of the smiling crowds getting into Prestbury Park, many arriving after a testing six-hour journey from Ireland, was palpable, and because the first race set off – met, after all, by the rousing Cheltenham roar – there was consensus on the terraces that the competition was again to its greatest.

After the controversy of 2020, when big crowds had been blamed for spreading Covid, adopted by worth rises and squeezed-in crowds on Gold Cup day, there was a way amongst some that the competition had misplaced its approach.

But adjustments this 12 months, together with a 66,000 cap on attendance and a redesign in out of doors ingesting areas, had been warmly welcomed. Clouds above threatened however by no means launched an anticipated downpour on proceedings.

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“Those lads going to Benidorm [people watching Cheltenham on television],” stated Craig Jones. “Don’t tell them, but we’ve got our Cheltenham back.”

The 41-year-old amount surveyor was standing contained in the Guinness Village, the place pints of the “black stuff”, together with beers and cider, had been diminished this 12 months by 30p to match 2022 costs.

Prosecco was additionally served for the primary time, as an alternative choice to the £32 glasses of champagne on supply.

Also new this 12 months, an enormous tented space known as “The Retreat” with a DJ, self-service bars and meals shops. Drinking restrictions had been relaxed within the Club Enclosure, that means punters didn’t must rush pints to maneuver out and in of the trackside space.

Mr Jones, who “voted with his feet” when he stopped coming to Cheltenham after 2023, stated: “I didn’t like paying so much to get in when it was so busy. You’d be queuing for ages to get a drink, and when you had one you’d have to be careful not to get knocked over.

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“It’s better now. There’s space, no queues, and just a really good atmosphere so far with a good dynamic of racing fans and people here for the day out.”

Tom Robinson, who arrived for the opening day with 20 others from Melksham in Wiltshire, agreed.

“It feels good this year,” the 38-year-old stated. “We accept the money situation; it’s a highlight in the calendar and you save up money all year for it, so for me it’s a bit irrelevant – but the numbers this year are good. I’ve been here when it’s been way too busy, and it can take away from the experience, but it’s just right today.”

His brother Miles Robinson, 35, added: “The relaxation of restrictions on drinks make the festival more accessible, and there’s no rushing your drink and getting drunk just to get outside and watch a race.”

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There was one queue contained in the competition at lunchtime. It was for the burger outlet on the sting of the Guinness Village, the place a Cheltenham Blue price £13.95. Richard Price, 78, from Taunton, who went for a £11.45 burger, stated: “I’ve been coming since 1981, and although much has changed, I remember it being so quiet and driving in with no traffic, the event is still a great experience for everyone.”

Behind the Guinness Village, the place a band singer requested the group “are you drunk yet” at 1.45pm, a extra relaxed environment was contained inside the Orchard space, the place there have been boutique retailers, spa remedies and upmarket drinks on supply.

One of the brand new additions was English glowing wine producer Chapel Down. The Kent-based winery has seen demand double in a decade, and with a presence at Ascot and Newbury races, Susie Goldsmith, head of PR, stated Cheltenham was a “natural step” within the firm’s providing inside the sporting calendar.

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Among these contained in the tented bar was Bradley Larimore, managing director of Derby-based PMB Pallets, who purchased a 3 litre bottle of Brut, priced at £290, for his enterprise shoppers.

“I love coming here every year,” he stated. “It’s a great occasion to network with businessmen and women, while also enjoying the atmosphere of the day. The money side of it doesn’t bother me, it’s all worth it.”

The official attendance for the opening day was 57,242, up from 55,498 final 12 months, offering bosses with a lift on per week they anticipate round 250,000.

Among the youngest on the competition was six-month-old Logan, whose mother and father James Purchase and Abbie Watson watched a race from the out of doors screens inside the venue. They praised its child-friendly amenities, together with a spacious altering space and parking near the doorway.

“Cheltenham is Cheltenham,” stated Mr Purchase, 38. “It’s the event of the year for racing enthusiasts, but really it’s a place for everyone to come to enjoy.”

There was one draw back to the opening day, with horse Hansard struggling a deadly damage throughout the Singer Arkle Trophy Novices’ Chase – nonetheless, it didn’t spoil an pleasing day for many.