I would predict that the figures will fall even further next year. Who wants to pay that money and sit in an over priced beer garden with a still lousy view of the horses. from between 2 and 3 furlongs out you need screens and commentary something that was lacking. The wet weather experience means tarmac needs to be set down for the bookmakers and the temp stand needs covering. Went Tues, Wed, Thurs last week and spent my time in the main concourse with friends. The "Improvements" meant that you could see a little more of the straight course than last year if you could get to the top two steps.

This was manageable on Tues, more difficult on Wed and virtually impossible on Thursday. What is incredible is that Ascot have spent £200 million+ to get to this state. The new grandstand represents all that's awful about Britain. It's a them and us monstrosity, totally class-ridden. If Mr Barnett and his team truly care about their paying customers, they'll open up Level 2 to the paying public. I think Ascot have in Mr Barnet someone who may well turn things round.I'm more of a jumps fan myself and always find Aintree (Thursday and Friday )a far more enjoyable experience than the Cheltenham Festival (for the general public/ordinary racegoer ).He has made a great success of Aintree and need only look to York (excluding the handling of the ground )to succeed.

A few years ago Leopardstown restricted the access to one of the bars/part of the stands to Tatts racegoers which peeved me off but it seems to be the norm nowadays. Sadly, a day at the races seems less and less about the racing and more and more about drunks/corporate entertaining and fleecing joe public. Genuine racing enthusiasts are not the priority for a lot of the top racecourse executives these days.......  "