Crowds down but enough people to fulfil Ascot's role in government's ERP test

A limited window for ticket sales and the protocols required to attend Royal Ascot this year were put forward as reasons why fewer than the permitted 12,000 people were on course for each day of meeting.

Ascot had been given clearance last month to have the largest crowds since last year’s Cheltenham Festival by taking part in the government’s Events Research Programme (ERP), but only 49,319 tickets were used over the five days.

Ascot said there had been only a week to sell tickets after clearance was given by government for 12,000 spectators, but added that enough people had attended for the meeting to fulfil its role as part of the ERP.