le rouge Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 For the first time in my (adult) life I will not be at the Cheltenham Festival as I will be in France. Has anyone any experience of where it can be watched? As Channel 4 is unavailable what are the alternatives? Anyone know whether an Irish pub, for example, would show it? I am in the Centre (18) if anyone has any specific info on where it can be seen.As an aside, are there any plans for Channel 4 being available over the Astra satelite in the foreseeable future? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 I get Ch4 but you need the special card to open up that and Ch5. I got mine through a specialist company but looking back I think I paid well over the odds so I'm sure somebody else will be along with a good tip shortly. Also, it's covered on Equidia if you have a French satelite package. Wow, cannot wait for the Denman/Kauto Star clash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Hasn't Kauto Star got an injury? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 [quote user="Russethouse"] Hasn't Kauto Star got an injury?[/quote]Oh, dear, R/H. Your news is more up to date than mine. What a shame.[:(]EDIT : Ah, I see it's just an infection - sounds like not too much of a panic - he's got a month to get race-fit. Nicholls sounds pretty OK about it: http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jG25nd5lkPkMKO8T4YtVIBiYpKlA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted February 18, 2008 Author Share Posted February 18, 2008 I saw Kauto Star run at Ascot and he won with ease. After the race he was a bit lame when they put him in his box. They subsequently said that it was not serious and he would be OK for Cheltenham. Yes it will be quite a clash with Denman - both super horses. I have to side with Kauto who has done it before and if Ruby Walsh has chosen him then who am I to say he is wrong!I havent got French satellite otherwise Equidia would have been an option. I try not to watch too much TV although at this time of the year it is difficult to find alternatives in the evening especially if you have been working hard during the day. Cheltenham though is a must. I already feel deprived of Channel 4 racing and BBC dont seem to show a lot these days! Be alright for the Grand National. Interesting that you can get a card for CH4 and 5. If someone has more info on this I would be interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted February 18, 2008 Share Posted February 18, 2008 Here's the first one I foundhttp://www.sdsdigital.co.uk/Sky-Freesat-Viewing-Card-pr-695.htmlonly proviso is that you need to get somebody in the UK to order it for you. Then just pop it in the slot on your digibox. There are specialist sites who get these for Europe based people but they can be a real rip-off!EDIT: Here's a specialist French one:http://www.skywise.tv/freesat-viewing-card-channel-p-212.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted February 19, 2008 Author Share Posted February 19, 2008 Thanks Cooperlola I am back in UK next week for 2 weeks so should be able to organise something using these links. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted March 1, 2008 Author Share Posted March 1, 2008 Just realised of course that I have a French digibox not a SKY box so (as far as I can remember as I am in UK at the moment) it doesnt have a slot and presumably wouldnt work anyway.Have thought about Racing Post and At the Races websites where you can subscribe to Live broadcasts but these are not available outside the UK.I think I am going to have to search for an Irish pub somewhere!! I dont suppose PMU's will show Cheltenham? It would probably clash with sulkey racing from Vincennes or something! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitty Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Of course, you could watch the budget instead. [Www] Of all the days in the year, the Chancellor has chosen the budget to clash with the Festival. All the MPs will have to go back to London. [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catalpa Posted March 1, 2008 Share Posted March 1, 2008 Budget day often used to clash with Festival Tuesday. Any reduction (or abandonment) of betting tax always went down well. [:P] Last year was the first time for 26 years I wasn't at Cheltenham. It was odd only watching it on C4 - good thought the coverage is. TOH *has* to be in southern England on the Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday. I have a feeling I know where he might be on at least one of those days. [6] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LEO Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 Hi Catalpa and others,Channel 4 coverage of racing is "top drawer" Cheltenham Festival is the "Jumps" Olympics!I am a member at Ayr and, I have backed losers and partaken alcohol at;Devon and Exeter, Epsom, Cheltenham ,Thirsk,Wetherby,Ripon Doncaster,Haydock,York,Hexam,Sedgefield,Beverley,Newcastle,Carlisle,Kelso.,Musselburgh,Perth and Hamilton The atmosphere and the friendly banter, regardless of class or creed, are unique to Horse Racing (I am biased towards "The Jumps “)Walking in to a race meeting and shouting up a round of drinks at the bar before the first race with a few quid in your pocket, is definitely one of life’s pleasures! Ps.a “couple “of years ago at Chelters , I had £15 each way “See More Business” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Thanks for your memories and experiences - I shall miss it even more now!! Grrr! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 le rougeI would be looking for a fellow fanatic with Sky who lives within striking distance.Sweeping generalisations : ATR gives good coverage (though far too much ferret racing for my liking), Ch4 is excellent, not enough but execllent and I am too mean to pay for Racing UK.BTW the way in which Mr Pointment ran out of steam so quickly yesterday was worrying but Natal possibly made up for that.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted March 2, 2008 Author Share Posted March 2, 2008 Hi JohnI do have a friend who has SKY and is not too far away but he has never shown any interest in Racing. I suppose I could try the old 'bottle of decent red' bribe!It was ATR on the web I was thinking of but reading the small print it is not available outside the UK for 'legal reasons'. Same with Ch4 on the web.Yes agree about your observations on Mr Pointment. Looks like he will not take part in National now. Cloudy Lane looks a worthy favourite. Thought Natal would win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Don't feel too bad if you are watching from the comfort of an armchair.......http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/image_galleries/racecourse_storm_damage_gallery.shtml?11The hospitality this year may be a little less warm...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dryliner Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 you could watch it liva and have a bet at pmu cafe or log on to www.ladbrokes.co.uk bet a fiver a race and you can see all races live on your computer or www.racingpost.co.uk both are good sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Zoff Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 [quote user="Russethouse"]Don't feel too bad if you are watching from the comfort of an armchair.......http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/content/image_galleries/racecourse_storm_damage_gallery.shtml?11The hospitality this year may be a little less warm......[/quote]Have just got back from the first day of the Festival, having been fortunate enough to be a guest in one of the hospitality suites.No sign of any damage. They must have done a great job putting it all back together as facilities and catering were spot on. Just wish I could have picked some winners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hats off to them, it looked a real shambles....its such a lovely location - sadly I missed todays coverage as I had to get my own mane attended to [:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 [quote user="dryliner"]you could watch it liva and have a bet at pmu cafe or log on to www.ladbrokes.co.uk bet a fiver a race and you can see all races live on your computer or www.racingpost.co.uk both are good sites[/quote]Tried betting a fiver on the first race yesterday with Skybet and it did the countdown to the race and looked like it would show me the race, then when the count reached 0 it came up with a message saying 'for contractual reasons we cannot ....blah blah blah...outside the UK'. The same happened on Racing Post for the second race at which point I gave up.In the end I watched a replay of each race which became available between 30 and 60 mins after each race had finished. If you can avoid the heasdlines on the home page and go straight to the 'race replay page' then to all intents and purposes it is 'live' I suppose. It was a good compromise. Only had 1 winner but it was fun.Shame today is off due to the bad weather as was all lined up!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted March 12, 2008 Author Share Posted March 12, 2008 [quote user="dryliner"]you could watch it liva and have a bet at pmu cafe or log on to www.ladbrokes.co.uk bet a fiver a race and you can see all races live on your computer or www.racingpost.co.uk both are good sites[/quote]Tried betting a fiver on the first race yesterday with Skybet and it did the countdown to the race and looked like it would show me the race, then when the count reached 0 it came up with a message saying 'for contractual reasons we cannot ....blah blah blah...outside the UK'. The same happened on Racing Post for the second race at which point I gave up.In the end I watched a replay of each race which became available between 30 and 60 mins after each race had finished. If you can avoid the heasdlines on the home page and go straight to the 'race replay page' then to all intents and purposes it is 'live' I suppose. It was a good compromise. Only had 1 winner but it was fun.Shame today is off due to the bad weather as was all lined up!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooperlola Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 So, come on, own up now. Who backed Denman? ... and the little bit of each way I had on Neptune Collanges didn't go amiss either.[:D][B] for Mr Nichols, without whom I wouldn't be eating a free dinner tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoddy Posted March 14, 2008 Share Posted March 14, 2008 I didn't back Denman I'm afraid.I'm going to Uttoxeter tomorrow though and I expect my favourite bookie will be treating his wife to dinner tomorrow night.Hoddy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
le rouge Posted March 16, 2008 Author Share Posted March 16, 2008 Just for the record and regarding my earlier post saying that on Racing Post and Skybet I couldnt get live coverage.The theory is that through Skybet if you bet a fiver on a race you can then watch it live. However when I tried it, it came up with a message about 'contractual reasons'. I decided to persevere but the next time I tried it said the race had started (i knew it hadnt as was listening to Festival radio coverage at the same time). I tried changing the PC clock to GMT but that didnt make any difference. I gave up until the Gold Cup then decided to change the clock manually back one hour rather than use the Control Panel GMT setting and low and behold up came the live coverage.So in the future if I have a fiver on a race I must reset my clock back 1 hour it seems. Roll on the National!.....and the postscript is that I backed Kauto Star anyway! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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