Curragh boss McGrath says racegoers can expect better facilities this weekend

The Curragh will be more comfortable and cosier for racegoers in 2018 according to chief executive Derek McGrath, who is not anticipating the same backlash from racegoers as the flak he received for the Guineas meeting in 2017.

Ireland's flagship Flat racecourse is in the middle of a multi-million euro makeover, but McGrath is expecting those who have not attended since the second leg of Irish Champions Weekend last September to get quite a pleasant surprise on arrival.

McGrath said: "The Curragh in 2018 is very different to the Curragh in 2017. We learnt an awful lot from last year. We have made things more comfortable and cosier for racegoers and that will add to the atmosphere around the place. It is far more compact.

"There is more character to the place now and we received lots of good feedback from racegoers who were at our last meeting here earlier this month. Most of them could not believe what they saw. The landscape has changed at the Curragh."

Derek McGrath: Curragh chief says the feedback over Guineas weekend was positiveCredit: Caroline Norris

So what can racegoers who attend this weekend expect for their entry fee?

"We are confident that we can provide a thoroughly enjoyable experience for our racegoers. The facilities are designed to cater for racegoers in the best possible way. We have a new bistro open, which people do not have to book. They can pop in for something to eat or drink at any time. We have a garden for food and music and Seo Linn will play after racing.

"The area around the parade ring has received tremendous feedback and, with the weather gods shining down on us for once, it should be a terrific weekend," McGrath said.

"We have preserved the Queen's Room which overlooks the parade ring and that is a nice way of the old Curragh meeting the new. We have put a lot of hard work into everything and I think people will start to see that. The page is turning at the Curragh."

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