New Guinness area goes down a storm but not all perfect according to customers

A party atmosphere did not follow Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but British and Irish racegoers made the most of the extra facilities at Longchamp where the consensus appeared to be more positive than 12 months earlier.

Last year's Arc was the first since the track's extensive redevelopment and racegoers felt there was plenty to work on with long queues and a lack of eating establishments among plenty of complaints.

A new Guinness-backed area at ground level with half a dozen pop-up bars certainly got the thumbs up, although the experience in Longchamp's new gargantuan stand still left something to be desired, according to some customers.

"You've got to expect some queues with the amount of people here," said Nick Cordin from Leicester, returning to Longchamp after last year. "This Guinness area wasn't here last time and it's a big improvement but it's still lacking food outlets.

"We've paid for grandstand tickets but it's better down here on the ground. You're served a lot quicker down here – it's pandemonium up in the grandstand. You seem to be able to get a bet on okay."

Gary Burrows, also from Leicestershire, was back at Longchamp for the first time since 1993 and spoke of a generally positive afternoon.

"My experience of the new Longchamp had not been too bad," he said. "There's a one euro deposit on the plastic cups and there's a bit of confusion when you go to the bar but it keeps the place tidy as everyone is returning them. You get what you pay for and this Guinness area is fine if you don't want to be in the grandstand."

A first-time visitor from Scotland vowed to be back next year having found the queues at the bars manageable.

"It's our first year and we've found it good," said the male racegoer who had travelled from Dunfermline with friends. "We've not had any problems getting a drink and will definitely be back."

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