As you steer the car into its allocated parking spot to the dying throes of Last Christmas, you know Cheltenham has gone all festive.
The artist formerly known as the December Meeting is now the Christmas Meeting. And everyone is involved.
The Got2Sing choir perform seasonal favourites throughout the day, starting with an 11am slot in the parade ring. Think the Glastonbury Legends berth and you’re nearly there, and they did indeed invite a legend to sing along.
Brough Scott, antlers and all, joined in a rousing rendition of Oh Holy Night but sadly the choreographer had failed to properly brief him on when to sway – and in what direction. Had he been Wally he’d have been very easy to spot even in the midst of massed ranks of antlers.
The grapevine revealed Father Christmas was caught in traffic and with the reindeers resting up for the big day, had to sit and suffer. When your abs are loose and wobbly, the face red and the beard white, that’s the signal to keep a low profile until the real deal arrives.
