Cheltenham punters were left shocked after discovering the steep price of a pint of Guinness on the first day of the festival.
‘The Greatest Show on Turf’ returned for another year, delivering another day of incredible action in front of thousands of fans at Prestbury Park.
There were big wins for favourites Koped Des Bordes and Lossiemouth, but also plenty of shocks, most noticeably in the Champion Hurdle where 25/1 Golden Ace stormed to victory over the much-fancied Constitution Hill.
With plenty of unpredictability on the course, there was one thing that united all racegoers after they discovered the price of alchohol on-site at Cheltenham.
Despite record sales of Guinness at last year’s meet, Cheltenham organisers have instead decided to raise the price of the popular stout yet again by 30 pence.
That means a single pint of Guinness will now set fans back a whopping £7.80 – and many were clearly not impressed.
‘Daylight robbery,’ one said under a post on social media advertising the price of drinks at one stall.
‘So that’s why the punters are now going to Benidorm to watch it,’ another commented.
‘That’s disgusting prices,’ a third infuritated fan added.
Prices for other drinks at the festival were not much better, however, with a pint of alcohol-free Guinness only 40 pence cheaper at £7.40-a-pint.
A 330ml can of lager set fans back a staggering £7.40, while a glass of Jamesons whisky was no better at £7.30 for just 25ml.
‘Bottle of Jameson on offer in supermarket £20. Cheltenham getting almost £205 for a bottle. Some scam,’ another fan pointed out on social media.
Explaining the increase in alcohol prices this year, Guy Lavender, Chief Executive of Cheltenham Racecourse, said: ‘Despite being impacted by the rising price of goods and services in the current climate in exactly the same way that other industries and businesses are, the price of a pint at the Cheltenham Festival had not increased since 2022 until this season.
‘When considering how to price food and drink we benchmark against comparable venues locally, while also factoring in any associated costs like temporary facilities and increased staffing to cater for significantly larger crowds.
‘As part of the review of this year’s Festival and with next season in mind we will be looking again at pricing on course.’
Despite the prices, Cheltenham is expected to be rammed for all four days of the action, although fans attending the second day may have to wrap up warm after snow fell on the course in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The snow is expected to turn to sleet, and although some has settled early, it will not remain for long.
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