Top tips for enjoying the Cheltenham Festival

Are you heading to the Cheltenham Festival this week?

We ask some experienced Cheltenham visitors for their best piece of advice for enjoying a trip to National Hunt racing’s showpiece meeting.

Marcus Armytage, journalist

Dress for the weather, not for fashion. Weather forecasts are relatively accurate these days. There’s no point in looking stylish, but freezing your whatnots off, or going dressed for an Arctic convoy if it is going to be hot. I think it’s called common sense.

Get there early. Don’t waste time sitting for an hour in traffic. Make a day of it. The gates open at 10.30am and there’s plenty to do, lots of places to buy a coffee, sit down and read the paper or get some retail therapy before the action starts.

Tanya Stevens, Channel 4 Racing presenter

Have a massive breakfast, as unless you are in hospitality you won’t have time to eat. Take an extra jumper or umbrella as sometimes the weather can catch you out.

Steven Wilde, equestrian television presenter and commentator

Place your bets online before leaving home and stick to them, unless you spot a really good price on course.

The marquee bar on the members’ stand overlooking the paddock is a great place for a drink. Around the unsaddling enclosure you always spot people who are “in the know” — Nick Skelton’s usually there.

For more tips from the experts to help you make the most of your day at the Festival see our Cheltenham preview in this week’s issue of H&H (7 March 2013)

Find out when you can watch the Cheltenham Festival on TV

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