Anti-social behaviour, costs and Cheltenham devotion - the talk of the racegoers

Cheltenham is the home of jump racing and the allure of Prestbury Park remains hard to resist for many, but it is not exempt from wider concerns affecting British racing.

The sport is not alone in facing the external pressures of a cost of living crisis, but the impact was again evident with Cheltenham's attendance on Friday dropping to 18,411, the lowest for this day since 2000 and down from 20,590 for this day 12 months ago.

This is reflective of an issue impacting all tracks and racing's hardcore fans are just as worried as the industry leaders. So what do the regulars think?

Jon Reilly, from Cheltenham, questions whether the sport is doing enough to capture the interest of young racegoers. There were 5,000 students here as part of a successful day organised by the company Invades at the track's previous fixture, but Reilly, speaking as an enthusiast and a dad, is not seeing as many youngsters loving the game as he does.

Che;tenham racegoers watch the conclusion to the novice handicap hurdle on FridayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He said: "Fair play to the company for bringing all those students, but you do have to wonder are they coming for the racing or for a piss-up. I have two kids who are in their thirties, they like a day out but have no interest in the nuances of solving the problem.

"I do have a worry, people talk about gambling and drinking but following the sport as a hobby, that’s what’s missing. It’s a real challenge."

He added: "I went to Hereford the other day in the owners and trainers. My friend Neil and I are both in our early sixties and were the youngest in there by at least ten years."

Anti-social behaviour is another concern, with the conduct of racegoers at Cheltenham and in the town leading to the launch of a campaign this week to address some of the issues. Reilly admits he has "seen some sights", and he is not alone.

"There are groups of lads on racecourses now and it's getting a bit football-ish," says Steve Kilmartin from Congleton, Cheshire. "You never used to see that on racecourses; your biggest enemy was the bookmaker, not the guy sat next to you.

Concerns have been raised about anti-social behaviour on racecoursesCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"It does cost a lot; it's £90 at the festival to go through a turnstile but then they'll sit in the bar all day. It makes no sense. I get it that the pints are expensive but it's Cheltenham, not Wetherspoons."

Increased drinks prices at the track attracted criticism from racegoers at last month's Showcase meeting, where a pint of Guinness cost £7.50. But despite the concerns over attendances, pricing and behaviour, the special relationship Cheltenham has with the public persists and must be the envy of rival large sporting venues.

Kilmartin is a prime example. Despite a 100-plus mile journey, he claims not to have missed a Cheltenham Festival, apart from those cancelled and behind closed doors, since 1973. He enjoyed days with his mother and wife who are now no longer with us and continues to remember them at a place he treasures.

"I've watched racing all over the world but this place is the best by a country mile," he says. "My parents brought me here, I brought my wife here and you'd have to cut my legs off to stop me coming. Even if you did, I'd crawl here."

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