blonde poker forum

With so many race enthusiasts on here i thought it would be cool to get a lot together and hit a few meetings throughout the year.

Possible meetings to attend....

31st March-1st April Doncaster The William Hill Lincoln

5th May-6th May(My Bday :D) Newmarket The QIPCO Guineas Festival

16th May-18th May York Dante Festival 2012

24th May-26th May Goodwood May Festival

19th June-23rd June Ascot Royal Ascot

20th July-22nd July Ascot Betfair Weekend

31st July-4th August Goodwood Glorious Goodwood Festival

12th September-15th September York St Ledger Festival

My local course is Pontefract their fitures are here.... http://www.pontefract-races.co.uk/fixtures-2012/

So anybody intrested in attending a blonde raceday post and lets get a meet up organised.

If you have any other recomendations please post them itt.

The Ascot Beer Festival meeting is a good one. Friday 5th & Saturday 6th October this year. And they've asked for Loch Ness Brewery beers to be there so I am unfortunately obliged to attend.

 if you live in london or york that list is fine.

Yea was only a quick scan of some major meetings. Yorks pretty good tho so would be good to get together and have a night round york afterwards.

What about something like the Galway festival?

Will be in for goodwood

If you wanted an away day that is pretty easy to get to then take in one of the decent Leopardstown meetings. Flights to Dublin are dirt cheap, there is a bus straight to Bewleys outside the course and you are a 20 euro taxi ride away from the city centre for the night life.

There is even  a golf course in the middle that I think is pay and play too and the Sporting Emporium in Dublin has  exchange betting terminals,a casino and cash/tourney poker available all under the same roof.

Would be in if can make choosen one, somehow never been to the races.

Market Rasen for the Midlands massive.

Chester supposed to be decent too

Would like to do it, prefer a quiet afternoon meeting in the summer where we'd have no problems getting drinks etc but happy to go whereever anyone else wanted to go.

Galway is an excellent shout, but hotels are at a premium.

A weekend in Dublin with racing at Leopardstown or Fairyhouse would be fun.

Like the idea of a quiet one in summer. smash the bar and bookies up at the same time :D

Chester is a good day out, been once or twice.

Would definitely be up for something like Galway or Leopardstown.  Agree with Keith I would prefer not to be at one of the big crazily packed big meetings.  They are just no fun for me these days.  Monday nights at Windsor are very nice but might not be ideal in terms of timings for a lot of people.

In for something alomg these lines ^

Keith could you pick out a few possible meetings?

Chester is good but seriously busy nowadays

Yes especially the May meeting is now very, very busy with scouse girls with skirts up the armpits....not sure Girgy could handle it ;-)

fyp

What dates is the may Chester meeting then?

This is a great days racing -

http://www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk/horse-racing/fixture-details.php?detailId=169

Direct trains from Manc to the Course (literally step off the train onto the course) for £13 taking 1 and a bit hours.

Back to Manc on the evening train (usually great fun), loads of cash games/tournaments going on a saturday night in Manc as well as the best night out available up north.

Loads of cheap hotels.

Could also go from nottingham, that takes about an hour on the train - dtd after.

Works for me :D

I went to this meeting last year:

http://www.leopardstown.com/Leopardstown/Fixtures/09-August-2012/

Tiny crowd, great racing (Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes), pub on the course and music after racing.

Then went to Shelbourne Park dogs on the Friday evening (best meal I've had at the dogs ever)

On the piss in Dublin after the dogs, home Saturday!

Shelbourne and HX have great restaurants

Blimey Keith I must have done a version of this around 5-6 times the last 2 years but added Harolds Cross dogs and the Sporting Emporium for poker too.

Day after Cheltenham festival finishes.

I'll be hung over definitely and skint probably.

No go for me.

Sounds like a plan then!

ball park cost for non ballers?

The last time I went to Harrolds Cross I had a table in the restaurant and one of the Tote girls taking bets at table. She asked if I wanted to buy some raffle tickets so I took a tenners worth, I've never win a raffle in my life so treated it as just adding to the value. I somehow managed to win the first prize which was a flat screen TV, the problem was I was getting on a plane back home the morning after and it was a pretty big thing, i ended up selling it to the guy on the next table for about 150 euro.

If you book a flight a long way in advance should be less than £50.

Hotel? Should be able to find one in the city centre for £50-70 per night.

Entry to the races? £10

Entry and dinner at the dogs? £20

Gambling/drinking money? Your choice!

Should be able to do it all for £300 easily.

Flights are dirt cheap, will be less than 50 quid each way with all the add ons from Leeds, not sure about other airports. Bewleys at Leop is around 70-80 euro a night I think. I have found the best way that suits me is to get the first flight in the morning, ring them up and tell them you are wanting to check in very early and then get there about 9am and crash for 2-3 hours before going to the races. The only thing about Leop is the entrance to the grounds is about a 12-15 minutes walk to the turnstiles,, so even tho you are next door it prob takes like 20-25 mins to walk from your room to the track. I have managed to miss the first race a couple of times.

Stay in the city centre and take a taxi to the door ftw :)

I have also stayed a few times at the airport in Dublin and just got the regular b us to Leop from there, takes about 50 mins but they run like every 20 mins. The airport location means it's easier to get into Dublin for the night life but there is also a tram service about 10 mins walk from the Leop hotel which gets you into Dublin in no time

not at the rate i get through money after some drinks.

I'd say thats doable for a lot of people.

Need to come up with a decent one day UK thing as well though i reckon.

yes, thats good too, about 20-25 euro I think the last time I did that.

The good thing about going to Dublin is everyone has to travel and hence no one will have to leave early to catch trains or stay sober because they are driving.

Having said that, I'm up for an afternoon (midweek) at Ripon/Thirsk/Ponts or even York for the Dante meeting.

Saturday racing is a definite no go for me.

York a good town for going for a drink.

Dante day definitely an option if anyone fancies it?

Definitely in if it's Dublin in the Summer, strikes 2 things off my to do list.

perfect day too, midweek, great racing and easy to get there.

never been for the dante meeting, had great days at the ebor meeting though.

Aintree for the national meeting but not on National day is a good meeting, probably a bit of ball ache to get to though for a lot of people.

In for York dante.

Ok, let's do both!

I'll make a thread in a couple of months confirming dates and stuff for Dublin.

Whereas York can be alot more informal.. just clear your diaries for those two meetings anyone who is interested.

Going back to Uttoxeter... (wanna come but York is a ballache from Chester public transport wise)

http://www.uttoxeter-racecourse.co.uk/horse-racing/fixture-details.php?detailId=182

Midweek in July?

I'd be up for that, I've not been to York for a good many years.

Used to love working that week at York when I worked for an On course bookmaker
 You will all have a great day and night there imo

Pencilling in the Dante...

Dante details here... http://www.yorkracecourse.co.uk/racing/fixtures/dante-festival_32

We all off on the Thursday then? Getting suited up Lads?

not much chance of me turning up in a suit

Denim jacket?

Chav Shellsuit?

IIRC the Wednesday is the best day to go.

3 group races and really tiny crowd.

Take up residence in the bar and won't be forced to shift.

Nope I'm wrong. 2 on Wednesday, 2 on Thursday.

Still be less busy on the Weds. But I'm easy.

Assuming the weather co-operates, shorts and a T-shirt with "if found, please return to the bar" or similar.  I do like to be course-side for the actual race on the off-chance my donkey is in the shake-up.  Suit is not part of the plan tho.

PS - Would struggle for Weds but would do Thurs

I'm sure we could get six people to commit and then get a group booking.

Were you thinking of the county stand?

IIRC the train-station is a short cab-ride or shuttle-bus away.

ill comit to a ticket.

Got to be County Stand surely.

Don't want to mix with the great unwashed, do we?

Bah - does that mean a jacket? :(

Million

Once in a year.

Won't kill you!

Besides, people have been known to get lucky there ;)

worse than jacket! Tie mandatory!

But yeah - def go county stand -

and cabs/busses ok on way in - be prepared to walk back thou

Would probs do Dante if all the board legends were going

In for Dante if it's Thursday.

Defo can't be near the public :)

Could do 2 days out- one at a biggish meeting and the second one where possibly sponsor a race and get the perks at smaller meeting

Never been to York races so love to go and maybe Leopardstown too.

Getting lucky for me constitutes  the front 4 horses involved in an altercation to allow my 16/1 shot to get up

Long time no see, M

Free up your diary for this date and no excuses!

I'd like to do this so if you get to the point of making a group booking then please count me in. Happy to transfer monies in advance of course to whoever's booking

I'm in if not Vegas time

York races is decent, been loadsa times as only down the road (well Leeds, but close enough). Good day and decent night with loadsa places to drink.

hahah ive pulled in the county stand on john smiths day

York in the summer is tough to beat, can get in the champagne bar or just chill on the grass, and the nightlife is brilliant. IN for whatever gets organised.

demps can flick in to make it, the blondepoker.com class 4 nursery

also, nowadays most meetings at york have a band on afterwards, we went in july and scouting for girls were on, bit cheesy but was good fun

This. I will gladly throw 100 quid in to make it happen!

surely blondepoker.com selling stakes?

Very good.

i could flick it in for the blondepoker claimer

Dempsey said he doesn't mind sponsoring a race and paying for box, champagne etc but 12 people max- so will need to come up with a fair way of allocating the 12 slots

;)

Hi mr camel

well diaries free now for that date so im very keen to give it a go.

Id also agree with what you and others say about a smaller meeting in the midlands area and maybe sponsoring a race.

cant wait :-)

Is it the dearest bit you are going in? We go to the races but usually just in the middle part I suppose this is where you call the great unwashed? Or is that the very least expensive part?  Anyway we can wave to you lol.

Up for Ireland and England as long as I can blag the time off work

We call it "The Scumbag Section"...................I'm not posh enough to mix with the shirts.

camels first name on teamsheet imo.

 ;bump;

So, can anyone recommend a hotel for this?  Are we in agreement for Thurs race day, posh stand (can wait and see what Flushy & co does before buying entrance tix) may as well book up rooms in the same hotel while they are cheap?

Don't know the area, but just searching on town centre locations, there seems to be pretty much everything from £50 economy hotels ---> £200 swish hotels.

Sounds like fun

First come first serve ? Pop my name down please

hopefully considered for starting thread. if not I'll come along anyway and watch thru window.

stitch up?

Bump

I'm still up for this.

Did we agree on York?

I'm game for York

I'm still game, not in the limping sense.

Did we agree on the Thursday?

Id be in! I had a contact for the William hill box at York, and they provide a bookie in the box. Worth me investigating or are you just going to be on the course?

Box sounds cool

Re Bump.

Next Thursday.

Meet at the races, or pub beforehand?

I'm going to get the train and then either bus or taxi to the course.

Weirdly enough Im gonna be there next Thursday with work.

What stand are you lot gonna be at?

Is it suits and boots? Going to do my best to get there

Don't care how you are dressed.

Bring money! :)

Haha - I more meant are we in the posh stands? At least we get to look at fillies whilst losing money that way

Members I think we agreed.

So jacket and tie required.

Bugger, I can't make it next Thursday. Have a good one tho.

Are you sure Keith?

I thought the dress code was just for the posh lot in the county stand and that the member's was smart/casual.

I've stopped gambling :(

County stand is the Members I think.

Drinking taking place too.

I've just checked and it does appear to my amazement that I am wrong and Keith is correct.

From their website:

"In the county stand members get the chance to dress up, ladies often wear hats and gentlemen are required to wear a jacket and tie".

I will be needing a taxi in that case girgles as one would not like to be seen using public transport in such attire.

Can't help you in York ralph. Might come for drinkaments

no good at the min for me. have fun.

I've just checked the train schedule from Nottingham to York and it's a fkn nightmare.

One change at Derby on the way there and two on the way back and both journeys over two hours in duration.

Much as I would love to enjoy the day in excellent company, not to mention the opportunity to sport my whistle and flute, regretfully I'm going to have to decline this one unless tikay is driving past my door en route.

One will be in the South of France rather than York, Ralph.

Thin, I know.

Thinner than a stick-insect.

Will one be golfing at Mougins or purchasing their most celebrated product?

Followed by dinner at Le Moulin de Mougins perhaps although I've heard it's not quite what it was way back when..

No no, Cannes is so common, whereas Nice is nice.

The gastronomic highlight will be Spag Bol - what else? - at the Cafe de Paris opposite the Grand Casino in Monte Carlo.

Marv. Looks like I'll be going on my Jack Jones.

Id love to go but am in Vegas :)

Not in the remotest was thinly veiled.

Haha I would have bragged if I was just leaving the house at the moment!

Been put on 12 hour nights :(