By David Carr
2:30 p.m., June 25, 2022

How much was the entrance to the portal?

All-purpose dance deities don’t come cheap and you had to pay £60 on the day for a Premier ticket and £40 for the grandstand. Buying at the earliest opportunity in advance brought those prices down to £40 and £25 respectively. Under 18s paid £25.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and drink options?

Feeding the 17,500 is quite an effort, as is quenching the thirst of a crowd that is more, shall we say, absorbent than most. To that end, a former betting house has undergone a £2million transformation in recent years into a facility with three bars and a fish and chips shop.

But on a sunny day, the main action was outside, where the main tents specialized in particular drinks. If you wanted Kingstone Press cider you didn’t have to line up behind someone looking for two pints of lager, a Pimms and a Pernod and cassis.

As well as more fish and chips, the de facto food village within the grandstand grounds also had outlets for roast pork, German sausages and Greek street food, as well as a noodle bar Chinese, while there were wood-fired pizzas and more roast pork outside. the weighing room — a little cruel if you were sweating to gain weight.

Those sure to win a few pounds could feast on a deluxe dining room in a fenced-off VIP area on the infield past the winning post, complete with an all-inclusive “grazing menu”. It’s not cheap at £250 per person, but it’s already sold out for Ladies Day next month.

What are the damages?

A water bottle: £2.40
Cheapest pint: Bomber €5.35
Guinness: £5.65 a pint
Champagne: £55
Cheeseburger: £5

All drink prices taken at the main bar at the racecourse, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random.

How was the burger?

Tasty, with cheese and lots of onions, and so deep it wouldn’t quite fit in the picture.