Page 7 - Go 2017 St Leger Festival Guide

Thursday,August24,2017 www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk
DoncasterFreePress 53
ST LEGER 2017 WHEN IS IT?
Racing takes place from Sep- tember 13-16. Details of race times and start and nish times on all days are available from Doncaster Racecourse.
HOW TO GET THERE? WALKING
Walking to the Racecourse from Doncaster railway station and town centre is
a fair. but pleasant stroll. Exit the station through the interchange and Frenchgate Centre and then follow St Sepulchre Gate, High Street, Hall Gate and Benne horpe to the course. It is about 1.5 miles and will take you 20-30 minutes.
BUSES
The Racecourse is served by several bus routes from both Doncaster town centre and the railway station and in- terchange. Visit h p://www. travelsouthyorkshire.com/ for details of all services and times. A shu le service runs between the Racecourse and Doncaster Interchange for all race meetings. It will com- mence from the Interchange at approximately the time
of the gate opening and con- tinue until just a er the time of the rst race. The return journey (which will stop at a designated point on sound of the bell) will continue until entertainment has nished. Shu le bus information is subject to change and may be amended or withdrawn without prior notice. From £1.50 single, £2.50 return.
TAXIS
There is a taxi rank outside Doncaster railway station plus several more in the town centre at East Laith Gate and St Sepulchre Gate as well as plenty of private mini cab rms around the town cen- tre. There is a rank outside the Racecourse on Leger Way for a er the event.
TRAINS
The nearest railway station is Doncaster, which is con- nected to the Racecourse by buses.
AIR/HELICOPTER
The nearest airport is Robin Hood Airport at Doncaster. For landing permission
at Doncaster Racecourse
please contact Alex Robin- son 01302 304 200 or email alex.robinson@doncaster- racecourse.co.uk
DRIVING
If you are in the car, the full address for your sat nav is Doncaster Racecourse, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB. The Racecourse is signpost- ed from the A1(M) ( j36), M18
( j3/4) and M1 ( j32). Car park- ing is free (outside the Leger Festival) in Car Park C (enter opposite junction at Wickes on Leger Way).
Car Parks A and C are opera- tional throughout the year for all racing xtures - Car Park C o ers free parking and passes for Car Park A are available at £5 per car from the racecourse reception in advance or on the day.
DROP-OFF/COLLECT
Coaches and minibuses car park C, limousines car park A. Drop-o and collection is prohibited on Leger Way.
STAYING OVER?
The Crown Hotel in Bawtry is the preferred partner hotel to Doncaster Racecourse - and is used by many leading owners, trainers, sponsors, jockeys and TV presenters. There are several other hotels located nearby and of- fer prices to suit all budgets and tastes. The nearest is the Grand St Leger on Bennet- thorpe while others include Travelodge at Lakeside, various Premier Inns located around Doncaster, The Da- num Mercure in Doncaster town centre, the Earl of Doncaster on Benne horpe and the Mount Pleasant on Bawtry Road.
EATING ON COURSE
The Racecourse has a wide variety of drinks and food on o er inside the concourses and on the course as well as restaurants.
If you’re in search of some- thing extra special, the coveted Mallard Restaurant o ers restaurant badge and admission ticket, a welcome drink, three-course chef ’s menu, race day programme, outdoor viewing terrace, table service drinks and Totepool be ing facility. The Old Weighing Room, as its name suggests, is steeped in history and is situated on the grounds of racecourse. There are a range of places to eat and drink across all enclosures.
Choose from hot and cold drinks as well as light bites or more substantial snacks. Plus, there’s a range of healthy and vegetarian op- tions.
THE PREMIER SUITE
The Premier Bar o ers a full range of draught and bo led beers, lagers, wines and spirits.
The biggest date in Doncaster’s social calendar is nearly upon us once more! Yes, the William Hill St Leger Festival rolls into town from September 13-16 with four days of racing action, glitz, glamour and excitement across Town Moor and the whole of Doncaster.
While all eyes will be on the course on Saturday when Leger Day itself is held, there will also be plenty going o away from the course, with live music, theatre, comedy, arts and other a ractions taking place in the town centre.
If you have never enjoyed the thrills and spills of the St Leger and all it has to o er,
make sure you read this page.
It is your complete guide to everything you need to know about the festival - how to get there, where to park, where to eat and drink and what to wear.
And although we might not be able
to give you any red hot tips as to who might emerge successful in this year’s race, we can hopefully point you in the right direction with all the essential information you need to know about the world’s oldest classic horse race.
So get yourself under starter’s orders and discover all that Doncaster and the St Leger has to o er over the coming days.
Enclosure close to the main entrance and one in the Fam- ily Enclosure positioned in the Silver Patriarch Bar.
WHAT TO WEAR?
Premier Enclosure and Mal- lard/Lincoln Restaurant
The dress code for this enclosure is jacket and tie for gentlemen and smart a ire for ladies. Strictly no jeans, sportswear or trainers . This dress code also applies to children.
County Enclosure/Conduit Restaurant/Private Boxes/ Owners and Trainers & Press The dress code for this enclo- sure is gentlemen must wear a collared shirt. Ladies to
be smartly dressed. Strictly no jeans, sportswear or trainers. This dress code also applies to children.
Grandstand Enclosure
No dress code applies for this enclosure.
Frenchgate Family Enclosure No dress code applies
Fancy Dress
If you’re thinking about com- ing wearing fancy dress, this is ne within the Grandstand Enclosure. If you’d like to book tickets in the County Enclosure and wish to come in fancy dress, you’ll need to call 01302 304200 rst.
DRINKS OFF-COURSE
Most people get a drink in the town centre where there are plenty of pubs and bars to suit all tastes and age ranges. Popular pubs and bars nearby to the racecourse include The Grand St Leger on Benne horpe while The Salutation on South Parade is also a popular stopping o point for those en route from the town centre.
EATING OFF-COURSE
The most popular place
is Whitby’s sh and chip restaurant which is directly opposite the Racecourse
on Leger Way. The newly opened Crab and Moo res- taurant within the Grand St Leger Hotel is also nearby. Vivo, an Italian restaurant
on Benne horpe and the Earl of Doncaster Hotel are also potential eating options. Sandringham Road in nearby Intake o ers the usual takea- way options such as Indian, Chinese and sh and chips. Doncaster town centre boasts all the usual takeaway outlets such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway and KFC while the nearby leisure park o ers Nando’s, Pizza Express, McDonald’s and Frankie and Benny’s as well as The Cheswold pub.
CAN I GET UPDATES?
Yes, visit Doncaster Race- course on Facebook, Twi er or www.doncaster-race- course.co.uk website
COUNTY ENCLOSURE
Places to drink include:
The Old Weighing Room, N insky Suite, Halmahera Bar and Rockingham Bar. All serve a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
THE GRANDSTAND
Places to eat include The Food Court, located on the rst oor, including Pie- Perfection, Spudz, Best of British & Perfecta Pizza. Places to drink include Artic
Cosmos Bar, Motivator Bar, Septimus Bar, Ale on the Rail Bar, Lucarno Bar, Bub- bles Champagne Bar, Lord Cli on Bar, Clock Tower Bar. All bars serve a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
FAMILY ENCLOSURE
Places to eat & drink: Silver Patriarch Bar. A full bar service, also serving lled bague es.
OTHER FACILITIES
Smoking is not permi ed in any enclosed places within Doncaster Racecourse. The use of electronic cigare es is NOT permi ed in any of the No Smoking areas.
Picnics are only permi ed into the Family Enclosure at the Racecourse. Please note that alcohol may not be brought into any area of the Racecourse.
There are ve cash points, all located at Ground Floor Level. Two located in the main be ing hall of the Grandstand Enclosure and two located in the County
Key info